Saikatei "Kasen Joki"

Made by Okashidokoro Saikatei, a confectionery maker and retailer headquartered in Kita Ward, Niigata City, this steamed dorayaki has been loved by locals for more than 30 years since its launch. It is a Japanese-Western fusion sweet, with over 700,000 sold annually. The unique name "Kasen Joki" comes from the steamships that traveled Niigata’s rivers from the Meiji era to the early Showa period, and that scene is also depicted on the package.

Its standout feature is the excellent combination of fluffy steamed castella batter kneaded with brown sugar and special azuki bean cream. Made with domestically grown azuki beans, the cream is mildly sweet and melts smoothly in the mouth, pairing perfectly with the brown sugar batter. It is delicious as is, but chilling it brings out the flavor even more. Each one is individually wrapped and keeps well at room temperature, making it ideal as a souvenir or gift. The price is 220 yen per piece (excluding tax), and assorted boxes are available in sets of 8, 10, 12, or 18.