Goma dango

Sesame seed balls or goma dango is a variety of Japanese sweet treats known as dango. These small rice flour balls are filled with sweet red beans (anko) on the inside, while their exterior is crispy due to the process of deep-frying – first at low temperatures, then at high temperatures near the end of frying.

The process is quite complex and one should be careful not to burn the sesame seeds while the dough cooks. When freshly prepared, the sweet bean paste is piping hot inside, so be careful not to burn your tongue. The sweet and salty goma dango is often consumed in August as a summer delicacy at street fairs or in restaurants.

In China, sesame balls are known as jian dui, and in Japan, these balls are considered chuka (food with Chinese origins).