There Japanese gastronomy It is a fascinating mosaic of flavours and traditions that has its roots in centuries of history: we now know the sushi and street food specialties such as yakitorias it always is kaiseki cuisine is best knownor a series of refined dishes that are an expression of local fine dining. Probably a meal still little explored is what involves the snacka rite famous throughout the worldwhich even Japan does not escape and which can be summarised with the termoyatsuwhich indicates one sweet or savory snackconsumed by habit at 3pm. Let’s go and discover it.
Japanese Snack: What It Is and When to Eat It
We are talking about a habit that dates back to Edo period (1603-1868), when the day was divided according to a traditional Japanese time system, where theeighth hour of the daycalled yatsu corresponded roughly to the 14-16 age group. Consuming only two meals a day (morning and evening), this was the time when people started to feel a bit peckish: the hole in their stomach was thus plugged with one snack. As time passed, the concept of “oyatsu” (which saw the addition of the honorific prefix “o”, as a sign of importance) remained, stabilizing on 3 in the afternoon: thesnack time. Unlike okashia broader word that refers to sweets and snacks in general, oyatsu specifically defines those dedicated to the afternoon break.
Where do you have a snack in Japan? In several places: house or in the tea roomsbut also in the office or at school, bringing with you light and easy-to-consume snacks. In parksespecially during seasonal events such as thehanamiit is common to see people enjoying theoutdoor oyatsusharing the moment with friends and family. In addition, the combination(mini markets open 24 hours a day, very widespread and frequented) are the shops par excellence where you can buy snacks to go, loose or assorted.
Oyatsu: between classic wagashi and modern KitKat
Among the most typical sweet snacks we find the wagashitraditional pastries made with simple ingredients such as rice, azuki red beans, sweet potatoes and sesame: they are not just sweetsbut often appear as small works of art, modeled to represent flowers, animals or other natural elements. They include the mochi balls made from glutinous rice from rubbery consistency and with different flavors, from matcha to vanilla, and dorayakisoft pancakes filled withankothe traditional azuki jam. Those who prefer the salty taste you will certainly not be disappointed: among the most popular snacks are the senbeicrispy glutinous rice crackers that can be flavored with soy sauce, nori seaweed or sesame seeds depending on local variations: they are often offered as accompaniment to green tea. Another oyatsu classic is theonigirithe iconic rice ball wrapped in nori seaweed and filled with various ingredients such as salmon, tuna or umeboshi, a characteristic plum (ume) that is fermented: perfect for a snack on the go.
In recent years, theoyatsu he suffered a remarkable evolutionblending tradition and modernity, as Japan has accustomed us, between technological metropolises and sanctuaries suspended in time. Alongside the more classic sweets, there is a vast range of industrial snackssometimes very much eccentricswhich reflect above all the tastes of the new generations. Among these, the Kit Kat they have become a real cultural phenomenonthanks to the numerous and colorful variationsfrom matcha tea to wasabi, passing through cherry blossoms, which also make them a souvenir highly appreciated by visitors. The cult ones are Pockythin cookie sticks covered in chocolate, with equally multiple variations. Finally, there are also popular snacks based on crispy ramen: spiced or flavoured, they represent an alternative version of the crisps in the bag.
