🎶“This is the summertime!” 🎶 It is the summer season in Japan! The season begins in the latter part of May and lasts until mid-September. As for the Philippines, the dry season begins in March and ends in May, signaling the start of the rainy season. Although the months may differ, both countries have similar ways of beating the summer heat. We all head down to beaches and resorts, stroll at malls, and travel to relaxing places for the summer.
Besides taking a vacation, we never miss out on trying some summer desserts! During the hot season, desserts always help us beat the heat and feel refreshed. Filipinos have halo-halo, Mais con yelo, ice scramble, ice cream, and other snacks during the summer. What Japanese summer treats and snacks can we find that are unusual or that resemble our own?
Mochi sweet!
Some of us might have tried Japanese desserts maybe once or twice before since a few of them can be found here in the Philippines. Many of us are familiar with mochi ice cream, made from glutinous rice, such as Selecta’s version. But many different mochis depend on the shape and material used. What other desserts can we try? Let’s check out other desserts which are mouth-watering and exciting to try!
Photo: Freepik.com
Photo: Freepik.com
Another quite popular dessert is Anmitsu, made up of anko and agar. Anko came from mashed azuki beans, while agar came from red algae. Japanese people serve Mitsu, a black syrup, on the side with anmitsu, mochi, fruits, ice cream, and chestnuts. This dessert dates back to the Meiji period.
Photo: Pixabay.com
Festivals and Ayu
Besides the usual sweets, Japanese people also like to eat savory (yes, savory!) desserts—cold noodles and Ayu, to name a few. Ayu is a dish grilled under burning charcoal and is quite popular with locals. It is mainly seen and served during festivals and fireworks displays.
Photo: Unsplash.com
Cold Noodles? What?
On the other hand, Somen is a cold noodle made from wheat flour. You cool it by placing it under running water. It is also said to be the oldest Japanese noodle. Fun fact: a restaurant in Japan selling nagashi somen showed an exciting way to eat somen—customers need to catch the noodles in cool flowing water with their chopsticks!
Photo: Pixabay.com
And the final cold dish we think would be interesting to try is Tanuki Udon. This udon dish commonly has hot broth. However, you can prepare and serve it cold during summer, topped with eggs, tomatoes, cucumber, tenkasu, and wakame.
