Dreams about Japan and appreciation of Japanese culture would not be complete without the mention of Japanese desserts. I have a sweet tooth, so I have spent copious hours on Instagram endlessly scrolling through picture after picture of Japanese confectionery and sweet treats!

I have picked out some of my favourites, and will share where you could get them in Singapore - no need to fly to Japan in the age of the soaring pandemic!

Mochi

Mochis are perhaps one of the most well-known desserts of Japan. Made from short-grain glutinous rice, mochis are made by pounding the rice repeatedly into a springy paste-like texture, before molding them into the desired shapes. The sweet confectionery comes in many flavours - taro, banana, chocolate, matcha - the list goes on and on! There is even Sakura mochi, which is wrapped in a cherry blossom leaf!

Most mochis we eat are soft and chewy on the outside, and often have a sweet filling on the inside. Because making mochis and pounding them by hand is such a laborious and time-consuming task, many of the mochis widely available to us are mass-produced in factories. Make no mistake - they still taste equally good and satisfying!

If you find yourself in Japan, you have to check out local mochi shops. Some even have live mochi-making demonstrations that make the experience so much more enjoyable! When I was in Nara, I managed to catch one such demonstration at a shop called Nakatanidō in Nara. Take my word - the visual experience is almost as exciting as the taste! I didn’t know mochi could be as soft as this was!

Where to get Mochi in Singapore

In Singapore, you can find mochi in almost any Japanese supermarket! I like to pick up affordable ones at Don Don Donki or Iroha Mart. Kanemochi sells mochi stuffed with ice-cream, making it perfect for an icy treat on a hot day! 

Matcha

Now, I had trouble classifying this. Matcha is such a staple in Japanese desserts and can be found in almost every sweet treat! Matcha is effectively green tea that has been ground into a powder. Though often served as a tea, the powder is often used to flavour desserts or as a topping. We see this in Matcha ice creams, Matcha flavoured mochis, Matcha cakes and even Matcha pudding or Matcha tiramisu! 

Matcha lends a slightly bitter taste to what would typically be a sweet dessert, slightly muting its taste but adding a very fragrant smell! I admit that it definitely is an acquired taste, as I have friends who tell me that matcha has a weirdly grassy taste that puts them off. But I love how it adds a one-of-a-kind flavour to my favourite desserts!

Where to get Matcha desserts in Singapore

For my matcha fix, I love 108 Matcha Saro as the matcha there is incredibly strong and tart - perfect for matcha fanatics like myself. The matcha warabi mochi is to die for - a must-try for Matcha lovers in Singapore! Other popular matcha haunts include Tsujiri which serves authentic matcha ice-creams and puddings, and Maccha House, famous for the crowd-favourite Maccha Tiramisu!

Japanese cheesecakes

From souffle pancakes to fluffy cheesecakes, Japan sure is obsessed with fluffy food! (And we’re not complaining!) Japanese cheesecakes are typically lighter and fluffier than the typical New York Cheesecakes that we are more familiar with. This fluffier texture apparently comes from the incorporation of egg-white meringues! This makes eating the cheesecake a very interesting experience - the texture is extremely light, but the flavour is incredibly rich and creamy!

Where to get Japanese Cheesecakes in Singapore

Kiroi Freshly Baked Cheesecakes offers Japanese-inspired cheesecakes that you can look into, and are perhaps the most well-known in Singapore. For a more accessible option, get your cheesecakes from Chateraise, which has a simple and delicious souffle cheesecake.

A special mention, however, has to go to the LeTAO cheesecakes, and I dare say they are one of the yummiest I have had. The consistency is richer and more like the Western-style no-bake cheesecakes, though it still manages to be adequately soft. They are highly raved-about and a must-try!

Taiyaki

I’m sure many of us have seen this adorable fish-shaped cake on Japanese travel sites, food blogs, and on Instagram. Taiyaki is a quintessential Japanese street food. It is a sweet batter on the outside, and typically stuffed with sweet Azuki (red beans). Some even fill it with ice-cream!

Because of how portable, easy-to-eat when you're out and about, and tasty it is, Taiyaki has become one of the most well-known sweet treats in Japan. Served straight from the hot metal mould from which it is made, Taiyaki is the perfect comfort food for when you are feeling peckish and have hunger pangs!

Where to get Taiyaki in Singapore

When I’m in town, I never fail to visit Mr Obanyaki in Takashimaya, which sells affordable and fresh Taiyaki of various flavours! You’ll even find Kaya Taiyaki there!

Anmitsu

The Anmitsu is perhaps Japan’s version of Singapore’s Ice Kachang, and we can totally see why!

Anmitsu is effectively a hodgepodge of ingredients that make an interesting sweet treat. The highlight of this dessert? The sugar-cooked azuki bean, which is often complemented with sides such shiratama mochi, fresh fruit and kanten (better known as agar-agar), and finished with drizzles of syrup or Okinawan black sugar. There are no two identical Anmitsu recipes - each has its own interesting twist and flavour.

Where to get Anmitsu in Singapore

My personal Anmitsu must-haves are Azuki, kanten, and a generous dollop of matcha ice-cream! Sweet and refreshing!

Anmitsu is super easy to whip up at home - you just need some canned fruits, pre-made azuki, agar-agar powder and some creativity! Otherwise, you can get Anmitsu at most Japanese restaurants and dessert places!