This seasonal yokan is is my autumn favorite- “Kuri Mushi Yokan / Chestnut steamed yokan”.
This is the account where you will see photos of seasonal wagashi (Japanese confectionary) cuts, once in a while…😇😂
A lovely souvenir from Tokyo, whenever I’m asked for wishes, I always request for wagashi from Toraya (an old established brand).
This wagashi is called the “Yokan”- kind of a hard jelly bar, usually based with beans and agar.
Maybe not as photogenic as other seasonal yokans, but I find the strata-like design so mode & beautiful, and taste-wise… this is one might be my most favorite.
So simple, and so delicious – Toraya’s ingredients are so pure with no additives & the best qualities… and sweetness & texture is always the finest.
I like to enjoy these with either strong matcha / green tea, or with coffee (somehow it matches!).
I followed the article in Toraya’s website, where they said they serve their yokan in 2.4cm thickness at their shops (though they also stated, there’s no rule, and you can have thinner/thicker/cube-cut etc).
One of the only situation where I take out rulers.
“「Kuri Mushi Yokan」is a steamed yokan with a delightful springy texture packed full of crumbly chestnut pieces. Only available during the autumn, this seasonal treat is made exclusively with new chestnuts harvested this year, giving the sweet a wonderful rich aroma. Available for a limited time only, enjoy this much-beloved autumn confection while it lasts!” (from their IG)
※Short videos available on my Instagram post (how I cut the yokan)
※動画含める投稿は下記インスタグラムのリンクよりご覧いただけます（羊羹入刀の瞬間）
🌰💛🤎🫧🐅🍵✨
出張のお土産のリクエスト、とらやさんの栗蒸羊羹。。。✨
栗蒸し羊羹、これまで好きでも嫌いでも、くらいの存在だったのですが、、これは、、とても美味しい…！！
ちょっとモフっとした優しい食感に、きめ細やか～な生地、じんわり広がる甘味、ごろごろな栗の風味（本当に、口に広がるの栗のちょっとほろ苦さもあるような深い風味！に感動です）✨
ぱっと見、他の季節の羊羹と比べて地味目なルックスに感じた意匠も、よくよく見ると、なんだか栗きんとんよろしく金塊溢れる地層のような、モダンでロマンを感じつつあります。
帝国ホテルのランデブーラウンジや丸の内～竹橋あたりにありそうな昭和レトロで重厚なオフィスビル（ヂング）のロマンに通ずるような。。✨
さて、毎度ながら、深呼吸・息を止めて集中の入刀です😳
菜切り包丁を一気に垂直に下ろして引くスタイルが定着しつつあります。
虎屋さんのウェブサイトにて、お店では“8分切り（約2.4cm）”とあったことを参考に、定規を用意です（※ちなみに、同記事では”特に正解はなく、極薄・さいの目等、色々な食感を楽しむこと”を推奨されています）😇📐
