A review of "Sasa-dango (bamboo grass dumpling) style sponge cake," a unique take on one of Niigata's specialties, Sasa-dango. The Yomogi Castella is topped with a separate Anko (sweet red bean paste).

Shibaima Honpo "Sasa-dango style sponge cake

Sasa-dango" is one of Niigata's specialties. It is a Japanese confectionery made by wrapping a bean-filled mugwort dumpling in a bamboo grass leaf.

Sasa-dango style castella, a unique arrangement of sasa-dango, is now available from Shibaima Honpo, a castella specialty store in Niigata. It is available at "Sennen Koujiya" in Ginza Six, Tokyo, and costs 972 yen (tax included).

The package is uniquely designed to resemble a bamboo grass leaf. On the back, a cute panda explains how to eat it. Inside the box are two small bags of bean paste, separate from the sponge cake.

The sponge cake is pre-cut, and the green color of the yomogi is bright to the eye. The soft dough sinks softly when you sink your teeth into it, and you first feel the mild sweetness of eggs and honey. Gradually, the refreshing flavor of yomogi spreads out. The aroma of the bamboo grass leaves used in the dumpling is similar to that of the bamboo grass dumplings.

The silky red bean paste has a rich azuki bean flavor. By topping it with any amount you like, you can enjoy a slightly strange taste: the texture is like sponge cake, but the taste is like bamboo grass dumplings. You can also enjoy the luxurious taste of a sponge cake sandwich with red bean paste in between. The overall sweetness of the sponge cake makes it perfect for eating with a cup of refreshing green tea.