Yatsuhashi 八橋, triangle-shaped Daifuku, traditional Japanese sweet from Kyoto

In Kyoto, you will see it everywhere in souvenir shops. The Yatsuhashi 八橋 are very popular among tourists and locals. At first glance, you'd think it's Daifuku (mochi, glutinous rice flour dumpling stuffed with red bean paste) with the only difference : this form of triangular ravioli.

But not at all! In fact, the Yatsuhashi 八橋, a regional product of Kyoto, is Gyūhi (finely milled rice paste) flavored with cinnamon and filled with sweet bean paste. Its texture is supple, soft and light as mochi. You can find many different flavors such as chocolate, orange, matcha, strawberry, black sesame, ramune... Taste level, it is quite sweet but less than Daifuku, with its triangular shape, stuffing is better distributed and less dense. In the shop where we bought it near the Gion district, the 5 Yatsuhashi box costs 250 yen. So you will not break the bank buying it, you can purchase a few to try and/or to offer, it can be a good souvenir gift.

It is a Kyoto specialty that I recommend. It is not very expensive and there are flavors that are not too sweet. And unlike Daifuku, there is none stuffed with cream and it's actually more digestible.

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