Dango is my go-to Japanese comfort food
Do you know dango? It is one of my go-to Japanese foods when I feel a little hungry. They are delicious and won’t hurt your budget. Combine that with them being traditional, you get a piece of heaven for your tummy.
Rice flour is the main ingredient. It is rolled into little balls, put on a skewer, and covered with a sweet soy sauce glaze or red bean paste. There are many regional variations, of course. For example, Yamaga City in Kumamoto Prefecture uses chestnuts.
Many people usually have dango with a cup of green tea. I like to eat them when walking so I don’t bother with the tea. That can be a problem as Japan lacks rubbish bins. That’s a minor issue, but annoying all the same!
This is apparent at Mount Takao, where a couple of shops specialize in them. They make delicious giant-sized dango. But not one rubbish bin will be in sight. Carrying the sticky skewers home in a bag is a pain.
To avoid that, I also have them at home with coffee. Are Japanese foodies screaming, “Coffee?” They go well together. Yes, it’s true. There’s nothing wrong with it. It’s good to be unconventional at times.
Where can you buy Dango?
Shops specializing in Japanese sweets have them, but those are usually expensive. You can buy cheaper ones at festival stalls, heated over a charcoal stove. Another place is at your local supermarket or convenience store. I got these at an Ozeki supermarket in Tokyo for ¥109 (tax not included). They were an absolute bargain.
Are Dango healthy?
I used to think they were very healthy. But some contain a lot of sugar. So, if you are trying to lose weight, look for another dessert. That might make your dentist happy too. Or you could just brush your teeth more.
If you have questions or comments, please leave them below. And if you know any great places to buy dango, tell us that too! By the way, try them with coffee and tell us your thoughts.
Rohan Gillett
Rohan has lived in Tokyo for 30+ years. He loves photography and plans to capture the entire city.
For more food articles, look at:
External websites about dango
- Mitarashi Dango みたらし団子 on Just One Cookbook