Japanese Sweet Potato – delicate traditional dessert

Fall (or Autumn for some!) is the favorite season for many of us. Crisp cool air, beautiful foliage, abundance of fresh apples and pumpkins, tailgate parties… Now you can add Japanese sweet potato on this list of things to look forward to! Japanese sweet potatoes are easier to find than ever. Just look for them throughout the year in your local Asian grocery stores. Trader Joe’s also now carries these gems at least during the Fall.

This delectable treat made with Japanese sweet potatoes is actually called “Sweet Potato” only because Japanese has its own name for their sweet potatoes – Satsuma-imo. So, you have to say it in a Japanese pronunciation – “Sweeto Poteto.”

How is Japanese sweet potato different?

Japanese sweet potatoes or Satsumaimo — Satsuma-imo, Japanese sweet potatoes with deep purple skin

On the outside, it may look similar to the garnet sweet potato (also known as red yam). But the Satsuma-imo skin is darker purple. And the flesh is pale yellow when raw and turns golden yellow as it gets cooked. The flesh is less watery so it produces dense and creamy texture that’s perfect for desserts. The best part of it all though is that it is sweeter but in a delicate and subtle way.

Try making other treats using Japanese sweet potatoes instead of regular sweet potatoes this year (although you’ll probably need to adjust the other ingredients to add some moisture). Or simply roast them in the oven. I promise you won’t even need brown sugar or cinnamon to jazz up the flavor. You’ll be hooked!

Japanese sweet potato with creamy texture — Japanese sweet potato with rich, creamy texture and delicate sweetness! Yum!

Tools you’ll need

Before you get started on making the recipe, be sure to have the following items on hand:

Basting brush – to brush the egg yolk on top to make the glaze
Cupcake liners/baking cups – silver ones, if you want to make them look traditional!
Potato masher
Baking sheet/cookie sheet (2)

Japanese Sweet Potato Recipe