2024.10.12

Yaki Imo 焼き芋 (Japanese Baked Sweet Potatoes)

Nico

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Norio

What’s your favorite Japanese autumn food?

Nico

I’m a sucker for Yaki-imo, who is today’s guest!

Yakiimo-chan

Hi! After reading this, you’ll get to know more about me.

Contents

What is Yaki Imo?
Japanese Tradition and Customs of Yaki Imo
Where to Try Yakiimo
- 1. At supermarkets and convenience stores in Japan
- 2. In your kitchen!
How to Bake Yaki Imo (Recipe)
Yaki Imo (Japanese Baked Sweet Potatoes)
How to Enjoy Yakiimo
- 1. Bite into freshly-baked yaki imo
- 2. Use Yaki Imo for making desserts

What is Yaki Imo?

Yaki imo (焼き芋) refers to Japanese baked sweet potatoes, known as a typical autumn food in Japan.

Norio

Wait, sweet potatoes exist outside of Japan as well. What makes Japanese ones unique?

They’re very creamy, dense, and sweet, which is why many people including tourists from other countries.

Nico

I remember one of my friends from the US said, “I’ve never tasted THIS SWEET sweet potatoes in the States before!”

We use potatoes called Satsuma-imo(さつまいも), with purple skin ith a golden yellow inside. They are originally from South Africa, which was brought by the Spanish to Europe, and then imported to Okinawa via South Asia and China.

There are many Satsuma-imo species across the country, most of which have remarkably creamy textures and dessert-like sweetness.

Those potatoes are also rich in nutrients and dietary fiber. Good for you in many different ways!

Japanese Tradition and Customs of Yaki Imo

For a long time, Yaki imo has been loved by many Japanese people.

Have you ever seen an “ishi-yakiimo car” like below?

They sell different kind of yaki fresh yaki imo baked inside the car by the traditional method of using stones (ishi 石).

Although they are disappearing in number these days, you’re lucky, you can find one driving in the evening.

Yakimo-baking can be an enjoyable outside activity with traditional Japanese methods with stones or leaves. You can imitate this by using camping stoves like this!

Tip

There days, yaki imo is getting trendy among young Japanese females with sweet teeth. If you visit Japan between September and November, you’ll encounter yakiimo-flavored seasonal desserts ubiquitously: at Starbucks, restaurants, and grocery stores.

It’s so popular that an annual event dedicated to yaki imo started to take place from 2022, named “Yakiimo Festival.” It’s held in Tokyo and Osaka every November

Top 3 kinds of sweet potatoes I savored in the festival: “beni haruka (紅はるか),” “silk sweet (シルクスイート),” and “anno imo(安納芋)

Where to Try Yakiimo

1. At supermarkets and convenience stores in Japan

Most supermarkets nowadays have yakiimo-baking equipment, which bakes fresh yaki imo every day. Usually, you will find them right beside the entrance door of supermarkets.

Major convenience stores have also started handling packaged yaki imo. Although they are a bit more pricy and less fresh, it’s a quick way to try during your Japan trip.

In both cases, they are basically available all year round as sweet potatoes can be stored across the seasons.

2. In your kitchen!

Norio

Where can I get Japanese sweet potatoes outside of Japan?

Nico

Some Asian stores are said to offer Japanese ones. Check out your local stores!

How to Bake Yaki Imo (Recipe)

Yaki Imo (Japanese Baked Sweet Potatoes)

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Equipment

aluminium foil
(Optional) newspaper or craft paper It makes your potatoes gooier and moister!

Ingredients

3-5 Japanese sweet potatoes (satsuma-imo), washed

Instructions

Wrap the washed potatoes with newspaper or craft paper (You can skip this process, but this is highly recommended to make the texture moist and gooey )
Wrap them over with foil
Bake them in the oven at 160℃ for 60-70 minutes (no pre-heating required)
Prick a chopstick through the potatoes. If it goes through smoothly, it's a "done" sign. If not, add another 5-10 minutes.
Cool them down until you can touch. Enjoy!