Karukan

Karukan is a traditional sweet originating from Kagoshinma. It's made with a combination of rice flour, grated Japanese yam, water, and sugar. The combination is kneaded, then steamed, and the result is a spongy steamed sweet bread known as karukan manju. Originally, it was shaped into a block, but nowadays it's usually filled with red bean paste. If properly steamed, karukan's texture should be light and spongy. It's a popular snack in Kagoshima, but it can also be found all over Kyushu. It is believed that this steamed sweet was invented in 1854 according to the wishes of Lord Shimadzu Nariakira.