Local treats: Sasadango and Chimaki
Prefecture: Niigata
Buy at: any train station and many souvenir shops in Niigata prefecture
Rumour has it that sasadango, a sweet Niigata treat, originates back 500 years to the time of daimyo Uesugi Kenshin. The bamboo leaves preserved what was inside for his travels; and man is the inside tasty- mugwort rice cake with sweet bean paste filling. The treat holds a special, nostalgic taste for my family after so many years living in Niigata prefecture.
Chimaki is the triangular bamboo wrapped snack. It too contains a rice cake but minus the mugwort and to be dipped into sweetened soy bean flour. This treat dates back thousands of years to China and is given to children to bless them with health.
My kids are walking around with rice cake filled tummies and sweet powdered faces thanks to the kindness of a dear friend who annually sends us a package. It truly is a thoughtful gift to get delivered to our home.