Lately, healthier Japanese sweets are attracting attention again due to the increase of people following health-conscious diets. Responding to that trend, let us introduce a purveyor of Japanese sweets that uses an abundance of one of those healthy foods, sesame.
Goma no Omise Iitomo is a shop specialized in sesame, a rarity even nationwide. Goma no Omise Iitomo produces and sells various sesame products on their own, some of which are sweets. The most popular one is “Goma Ohagi” (540 yen with tax), only sold at the Tokyo main shop in Ikegami.
Only sesame with a rich aroma is used for “Goma Ohagi.” The not too sweet flavor of red bean paste and the sticky texture of sweet rice are coated with flavorful sesame. It is an elegant and refined sweet.
With your first bite, you will be surprised by the richness of the sesame aroma. Golden sesame has a rich aroma while black sesame has a deep, flavorful taste. “Goma Ohagi” is sold out by evening each day, which is understandable considering the taste!
Even better, just by purchasing a roll of “Goma Ohagi,” you can enjoy the combination of golden sesame with coarse red bean paste, and the combination of black sesame with smooth red bean paste.
If you’re looking for something different for a souvenir or something to bring when visiting someone, this is perfect! “Goma Ohagi” would surely be a pleasant gift for anyone.
“Goma Yokan” (Sesame Red Bean Jelly, 1,512 yen with tax, bottom left photo) is also a popular product that uses a lot of black sesame. You can tell that they use a lot of sesame when you pick it up; it feels heavier than regular yokan. It is a sweet that will allow you to enjoy the rich flavor of sesame and elegant sweetness.
Regarding measures related to COVID-19, the shop has installed a hand sanitizer dispenser at the entrance and a plastic curtain at the sales space. Goma no Omise Iitomo also requires staff to wear masks, and asks the customers to wear masks as well.
“Since our founding 31 years ago, we’ve been providing original sesame products under our motto ‘Let’s eat healthy!’ Our ‘Goma Ohagi’ has nearly 25 years of history. Please give it a try!” says Shizuko Tashiro (center), the representative of the shop.
Sesame sweets are tasty and made with healthy ingredients. How about giving one to a friend as a souvenir?
* All prices listed in the article are current as of January 2021 (the time of writing).