I’ve been on a little Japanese dessert streak and I’m so excited to share all 22 of these traditional treats with you. From jiggly cheesecake to cute candy sushi, there’s a whole world of sweet, creamy, and sometimes surprising goodness. Let’s jump right in.
1. Green Tea Mochi
Green tea mochi takes that wonderful sticky, chewy consistency we know and love and gives it a matcha upgrade. The infusion adds more flavor and a gorgeous pop of green color. Same beloved texture, just with an extra something special.
2. Dorayaki
Dorayaki is a rich, filling treat made with two small pancakes hugging a layer of red bean paste. Because it’s pretty heavy, this sweet sandwich is more often a snack than a dessert. The word “dora” means gong in Japanese, and legend says the first dorayaki was made by a farmer who used a gong to cook his pancakes.
3. Honey Toast
Wow, talk about decadent. Crisp toast gets a honey coating, then gets piled high with ice cream, mini Oreos, fresh strawberries, and chocolate chips.
Hailing from Shibuya, Tokyo, honey toast has gained so much popularity. And honestly, why wouldn’t it?
4. Green Tea Ice Cream
Speaking of matcha, this ice cream is a dream come true. Subtly sweet with those lovely bitter and smoky undertones, it’s incredibly refreshing.
You only need 4 ingredients and 5 minutes, and no churning necessary. Perfect if you’re not into overly rich, sweet desserts.
5. Matcha Pound Cake
Pound cake is already dense, rich, and buttery, but a little matcha powder transforms it into something unique and flavorful. That green hue is absolutely spectacular. It’s so good with a cup of coffee.
6. Green Tea Cookies
These green tea cookies are crisp and buttery with a distinct matcha flavor I’m completely in love with. Matcha has been used in Japanese cooking for ages, even if its worldwide fame is newer.
The bitter, powdery taste isn’t for everybody, but personally, I can’t get enough. Any matcha fan needs these.
7. Sesame Cookies
Rich, buttery, crisp and nutty, black sesame cookies are insanely addictive. The sweet and salty flavors contrast in a way that makes them incredibly hard to stop eating.
If you’re looking for a new cookie recipe, this one is it. The aroma alone is fantastic.
8. Barley Tea
Muchiga, or barley tea, is a light, refreshing drink served over ice. Unlike most teas, it’s caffeine-free, so it’s totally safe for kids.
The aroma is wonderful, and the flavor is toasty with just a subtle hint of bitterness. Making it is insanely easy: just pop a tea bag in a pitcher of water and refrigerate.
9. Mizu Yokan
Mizu yokan is a wonderfully light, refreshing jelly dessert flavored with red azuki beans. Agar gives it that signature gelatinous consistency. Sweetened with a bit of sugar and red bean paste, it’s mild and perfect for cleansing your palate.
10. Purin
Purin is Japan’s take on crème caramel, and it’s pure bliss. The custard is rich, creamy, melts right on your tongue under a thick oozing caramel glaze. Call it flan, pudding, crème caramel… I just call it impossible to resist.
11. Coffee Jelly
Coffee jelly honestly makes me so happy. Little cubes of coffee-flavored jelly swim in a pool of thick, sweetened cream.
The gentle bitterness of the coffee paired with that sweet cream is just the most perfect balance. If you haven’t tried it yet, you’re missing out big time.
12. Japanese Cheesecake
Japanese cheesecake is world-famous for being ultra-fluffy, airy, and delightfully jiggly. Don’t be intimidated to make it from scratch.
The secret is simply whipping egg whites to get that iconic consistency. It’s actually really straightforward, almost fool-proof. I promise you’ve got this.
13. Daifuku
Daifuku, or mochi, is a classic Japanese confection loved all over the world. Honestly, when someone says Japanese dessert, most people instantly think mochi. It’s a small, sticky, round treat with a sweet filling, and that iconic chewy, gelatinous texture comes from rice flour.
14. Raindrop Cake
Raindrop cake is a delicate, gorgeous jelly dessert that looks exactly like a raindrop. Created in 2014 by Kinseiken Seika Company, it’s made with just mineral water and agar-agar.
Since it’s basically water, the cake has nearly zero calories. It totally swept the nation for a reason.
15. Candied Sweet Potato
Daigaku Imo, candied sweet potatoes, are a popular snack in fall and winter. Deep-fried sweet potato pieces get coated in a glossy caramel syrup.
The skin turns crisp while the inside stays creamy and tender. That contrast of crunchy caramel and soft potato is an absolute joy.
16. Banana Sushi
This Japanese-inspired bite gets me every time. Banana slices dunked in chocolate and rolled in crushed pistachios deliver sweet, chocolatey crunch in every single bite. It’s not authentic wagashi, but it’s so yummy and ridiculously cute I can barely stand it.
17. Miso Butter Cookies
Cookies flavored with miso sound a little strange, I know, but boy, are they good. These miso butter cookies are so soft they almost melt right in your mouth.
The flavor is incredibly rich and buttery. Trust me on this one.
18. Souffle Pancakes
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve seen these thick, fluffy pancakes all over the place. Japanese souffle pancakes rose to fame for very good reason. Just look at those cloud-like beauties, who wouldn’t want a bite?
19. Japanese Red Bean Cake
Manju, or red bean cakes, are small round steamed cakes stuffed with anko. The sweet filling is made from red beans cooked and mashed into a paste that’s smooth with a charming mild coarseness. I love that texture so much.
20. Anko
I’ve mentioned anko, that sweet red bean paste, so many times, so here’s how to whip it up. This recipe tells you everything you need to make the versatile filling that flavors breads, ice cream, and other Japanese desserts. Sure, you can buy it at the store, but making it from scratch is simple and so rewarding.
21. Japanese Cake Roll
Japanese cake roll is a light, delicate treat you’ll want to eat all day. Soft pillowy cake, fluffy whipped cream, and fresh strawberries make for a beautiful harmony in your mouth. Mildly sweet with a little tartness, both texture and flavor are spot on.
22. Rice Krispies Candy Sushi
How adorable are these little candy sushi? I can’t even.
They’re made with Rice Krispies and gummy candies all wrapped up in fruit roll-ups. You can build them maki-style with the gummy in the center, or nigiri-style with the gummy on top. Either way, completely adorable.