11 Japanese-Style Desserts You Should Know About

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1. Mochi Ice Cream

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What it is: The outside is made of sweet rice dough called mochigome and filled with soft ice cream.

While many people eat it whenever their stomachs are aching for it, the food is traditionally served during Japanese New Year.

Want to make mochi ice cream on your own? Try this recipe.

2. Yokan

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What it is: A thick gelatin-like dessert typically made with adzuki beans (bean paste), agar-agar, and sugar.

Popular ingredients to add to your yokan include sweet potato, chopped chestnuts, fruits, matcha powder, or green tea.

Want to make yokan on your own? Try this recipe.

3. Dango

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What it is: It's a Japanese dumpling made from rice flour called mochiko. You'll find this sweet treat served with green tea, more times than not.

This is another dessert eaten year-round and served on a skewer with three to four dango at a time.

Want to make dango on your own? Try this recipe.

4. Imagawayaki

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What it is: It is made of batter in a special pan similar to a waffle iron and can be filled with a variety of ingredients including adzuki bean paste, vanilla custard, preserves, meat, vegetables, and more.

This is a popular treat often found at Japanese festivals.

Want to make imagawayaki on your own? Try this recipe.

5. Hanabira Mochi

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What it is: It's a white mochi wrapped around a pink mochi, filled with white anko or sweet white miso, along with a candied gobo root that sticks out on the sides of the pastry.

The hanabira mochi represents a plum blossom wrapped around an ayu fish, which holds a special meaning for New Year's. It's typically eaten at the beginning of the year.

Want to make hanabira mochi on your own? Try this recipe.

6. Monaka

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What it is: It's made of two thin crispy wafers made of sticky rice, sandwiched with fillings like adzuki bean paste and ice cream.

Another classic dessert best served with tea.

Want to make monaka on your own? Try this recipe.

7. Anmitsu

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What it is: A parfait-style dish consisting of sweetened red bean paste, small cubes of agar-agar jelly, and fresh fruit topped with a dark sweet syrup called kuromitsu.

Don't be surprised if you find ice cream and mochi in it too!

Want to make anmitsu on your own? Try this recipe.

8. Sakura Mochi

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What it is: It's mochi flavored with red cherry blossoms, often filled with red bean paste, and wrapped in a pickled cherry blossom leaf.

The style in which sakura mochi is made differs between regions in Japan. It is often eaten in the spring and on Girl's Day.

Want to make sakura mochi on your own? Try this recipe.

9. Manju

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What it is: A traditional manju is made up of flour, buckwheat, and rice powder. Like many of the Japanese desserts, manju is filled with sweet red bean paste.

Manju comes in a variety of flavors like matcha (which will give it a green coloring), mizu with a flavored bean filling, and even some with orange-flavored cream.

Want to make manju on your own? Try this recipe.

10. Japanese Crêpe

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What it is: Yes, we know crêpes derive from France, but this new spin placed on the modern-day crêpe is all thanks to Japan. It's typically rolled into a cone-like shape and filled with delicious goodies like ice cream, fresh fruit, chopped nuts, and more.

This has become a popular street food around the world!

Want to make a Japanese crêpe on your own? Try this recipe.

11. Namagashi

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What it is: A freshly prepared sweet styled in a beautiful (nature-inspired) design, like a flower or leaf. These are often served at tea ceremonies and filled with jellies or bean paste.

Namagashi is commonly served with higashi, candies made with finely grounded Japanese sugar, and can last on the shelf for long periods of time.

Want to make namagashi on your own? Try this recipe.

So...who's ready to eat?!

Comedy Central / Via with a long shelf life that are