Doraemon’s World-Famous Snack - Dorayaki: Make It With This Simple Recipe!

Doraemon\'s Dorayaki Was A Traditional Japanese Recipe

Dorayaki, also known as the favorite food of the famous Japanese cartoon character Doraemon who is beloved by children and adults alike, is a traditional Japanese sweet. Here are some details about dorayaki, such as the origin of its name, its roots, its ingredients, and a recipe.

Where Did Dorayaki Originate? How Did It Get Its Name?

Dorayaki is a simple Japanese dessert that is made by sandwiching anko (sweet red bean paste) between two round, flat cakes similar to pancakes. Anko is a unique, traditional Japanese sweet that is like a jam made of sweetened boiled red beans, and it has been passed down from generation to generation since olden times in Japan.

There are various theories about the origin of dorayaki, but the legend claiming that it was invented in the 12th century by the famed Japanese samurai warrior Benkei is very popular. According to legend, to thank the family that nursed him back to health after he was wounded in battle, Benkei baked dough made from flour and water and then wrapped it around anko. People say that the confection came to be called dorayaki because the dough was cooked on a round copper percussion instrument called “dora” (gong) or because its round shape resembles the shape of a dora.

Dorayaki - Doraemon\'s Favorite Snack

In Japan’s popular animated series Doraemon, the main character Doraemon loves huge dorayaki. Whenever Doraemon eats dorayaki, he looks so happy and and makes the dorayaki look so delicious that viewers start craving dorayaki after they watch the show.

Doraemon has become a major hit worldwide, and with it, dorayaki has also has gained popularity as a representative wagashi (Japanese sweet) not just in Japan, but around the world as well. Whether you like Doraemon or not, you should definitely try dorayaki.

Dorayaki Is A Healthy Japanese Dessert

There is good reason why Japanese people have long loved this traditional confection - it\'s actually a healthy treat that incorporates anko and ingredients that make use of skills used in making traditional Japanese sweets.

Oil-Free Pancakes

Dorayaki is similar to pancakes, and is mainly made with flour, egg, and sugar. It is characterized by its non-use of butter and other oils.

Moreover, ordinary pancakes harden when cooled, but dorayaki remains springy and soft even after some time has passed. The secret behind this is not only the lack of butter, but also in its use of the skills involved in making Japanese sweets.

Unlike Western-style sweets, dorayaki uses ingredients found in Japanese sweets. For instance, honey is incorporated in the dough to make it moist, and glutinous rice is mixed in to make the dough springy.

Anko - A Healthy and Popular Azuki Bean Paste

Dorayaki is generally filled with the traditional anko paste, which is made using small red beans from East Asia called azuki and sugar.

The red color of red beans is said to be a symbol of life, and red beans contain a large amount of high-quality proteins, minerals like vitamins, and nutrients such as dietary fiber. They have been known as an important ingredient that is essential to Japanese people since ancient times. Red beans have also gained a lot of attention from vegetarians of late thanks to their rich nutritional value compared to other beans.

A few years ago, the Japanese movie "An," which was set in a dorayaki shop, was screened at the Cannes Film Festival and received rave reviews. It catapulted dorayaki and anko to international acclaim.

Easy Dorayaki Recipe

[Ingredients] Serving size: 5 dorayaki
100g flour
50g water
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
2 eggs
80g sugar
1 tablespoon honey
1 can of anko (250g)

[Method]
1. Combine eggs, sugar, and honey in a bowl and mix well. Dissolve baking soda in 1 tsp of water and add the mixture into the bowl.

2. Add the rest of the water and the sifted flour and then mix the ingredients to make sure that there are no lumps.

3. Place the dough in the refrigerator and let it rest for about 30 minutes.

4. Heat the frying pan or hot plate and spread the dough into a round shape. When bubbles appear on the surface of the pancake, flip it over to cook the other side.

5. Finish by putting anko between two dorayaki pancakes.

*The key is to have both dorayaki pancakes be of the same size.
*It is best to use a nonstick Teflon pan or a thick crepe pan.

Enjoy Making Dorayaki Around the World With This Recipe!

Dorayaki is a classic dessert from Japan, but the recipe introduced in this article can be made using ingredients that are easy to find anywhere in the world, including flour, eggs, sugar, and honey. Even people who don\'t usually make sweets can try to make dorayaki as long as they have a frying pan, the essential tool for making pancakes.

Change Up Your Dorayaki With Other Fillings

Anko is an ingredient that has become readily available in supermarkets and convenience stores recently, either in canned or packed form. You can also easily make dorayaki if you live in a city abroad where there are many Japanese people since you can find anko in stores and other establishments selling Japanese food.

If you can’t find anko, though, you can substitute it with whatever ingredient is available. For instance, you can make Western-style dorayaki using fresh cream, custard cream, or chocolate, and it will still be delicious! You can also have fun trying out original dorayaki flavors in whatever country you live, such as a Southeast Asian style using coconut cream, an Italian style using mascarpone cheese, and a Montblanc style using marron (chestnut) cream.

Dorayaki is a traditional sweet that has long been a favorite of many people in Japan. It\'s made with ingredients that are available all over the world, so try to make dorayaki at home to have a little bit of Japan in your own kitchen.