How to Make Daigaku Imo - The Perfect Simple Dessert! (Vegan Friendly)

7:00 AM June 13, 2020

Do you like Japanese food? Do you have a sweet tooth? Are you a fan of sweet potatoes? If you have said yes to these things, you have come to the right article! Today we are going to have a look at an easy, delicious Japanese dessert made from sweet potatoes called daigaku imo. Daigaku imo is commonly found on the dessert menu in Japanese restaurants, and is especially commonplace in sushi places. It only takes a few ingredients to make this sweet treat, and not a lot of skill in the kitchen, either. You can use whatever sweet potatoes you can find in your local supermarket, too, so this Japanese dessert is easily accessible no matter where you live.

Why is it Called Daigaku Imo?

Before we get into the recipe, let’s talk about what daigaku imo is, and why it has such a strange name. Daigaku imo is a dish made from cut sweet potatoes that are fried in a sweet syrup and topped with sesame seeds. It takes just a few ingredients, one pan, and less than thirty minutes to make from start to finish. In Japan, all of the ingredients are cheap and easily available, too. That makes daigaku imo a great dessert even for a novice in the kitchen, and people that do not have a lot of space for cooking or a lot of money for ingredients. And who does that sound like? That’s right - university students!

If you know a little Japanese, you might recognise the word “daigaku” as meaning university. The word “imo” is specifically used for Japanese purple sweet potatoes. Put those together, and you have “college potatoes!” Of course, more than just college kids are enjoying daigaku imo, but the point remains that they are good for people with just a little money and space that want to have a great dessert at the end of the day. And really, who doesn’t want that?

Daigaku Imo (Candied Sweet Potatoes)

Makes: 2 servings

What you need:

sweet potato (if you have satsumaimo (Japanese sweet potatoes) available, use one of these for the most authentic result)

1 medium-sized

oil

2 tbsp

sugar

2 1/2 tbsp

soy sauce

1/4 tsp

rice vinegar or lemon juice

1/4 tsp

sesame seeds (try to get roasted black ones or roast them yourself on a hot ungreased pan!)

1 tsp

How to make:

1
First, wash your sweet potato but be careful to not peel off the skin because it is important for the final product. Cut the sweet potato into bite-sized chunks. If you want to, you can try the Japanese cutting technique of “rangiri” by rotating the sweet potato one quarter turn each time between cuts. Soak the sweet potatoes in water for 15 minutes to remove the starch.
2
In an unheated frying pan, combine the oil, sugar, soy sauce, and vinegar or lemon juice and stir them until they’re well mixed.
3
Dry the sweet potatoes with a paper towel and place the chunks into the frying pan. If you can, wrap your pan’s lid with a kitchen towel to capture any condensation that will form when you’re cooking.
4
Put the lid on the frying pan and turn the stove on to medium heat. When you start to hear a bubbling sound, turn the heat to low. After about two minutes, open the lid and flip the sweet potatoes over. Repeat every two minutes until all the sides of the potatoes are golden brown.
5
When you are able to stick a toothpick into the sweet potatoes and have it come out again easily, you’re finished! Put the sweet potatoes into a serving bowl, sprinkle the sesame seeds on top, and
6
enjoy your surprisingly sticky-sweet dessert.

Yum!

Final Thoughts

Daigaku imo is traditionally enjoyed in the autumn and winter, so it’s perfect for our Southern Hemisphere readers right now. But don’t let that stop you from eating it in the summer, too, because as long as you can get some sweet potatoes, this dessert is great to have year-round (sweet potatoes are just much cheaper in Japan in the autumn). With crispy skin but tender insides, daigaku imo will have you coming back for more again and again. We dare you to try to eat just one piece - you won’t be able to stop! Have fun and enjoy it.

Have you tried our recipe for daigaku imo? Did you enjoy it? Have you ever had daigaku imo before? Are you ready to try it out now? Please leave us a comment before you leave!

Writer

Author: Jet Nebula

Living the dream in Tokyo, where you can find me working at a theme café catered towards women. When I’m not writing for Honey’s, I’m working on original dystopian science fiction or blogging about Tokyo’s trendy coffee scene. I spend my free time in Harajuku and Shibuya wearing alternative Japanese street fashion. I love video games, J-rock, tattoos, and Star Wars.

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