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'' is a Japanese dumpling made from ''mochiko'' (rice flour), related to ''mochi''. It is sticky and filling. It is often served with green tea.
''Dango'' are eaten year-round, but the different varieties are traditionally eaten in given seasons. Three to four ''dango'' are often served on a skewer. One variety of ''dango'' from Hokkaidō is made from potato flour and baked with ''shoyu'' (soy sauce).

Contents

Types of dango

Derived terms

Rise in popularity

See also

Types of dango

There are many different varieties of ''dango'' which are usually named after the various seasonings served on or with it.

★ ''Anko'': Commonly known as (sweetened) red bean paste, while ingredients other than azuki are used on rare occasions. An-Dango is the most popular flavor in Japan.

★ ''Botchan dango'': Dango that is three colors. One is colored by red beans, the second by eggs, and the third by green tea. Botchan dango are often seen in Japanese anime.

★ ''Chichi dango'': Slightly-sweet light treats usually eaten as a dessert.

★ ''Goma'': sesame seeds. It is both sweet and salty.

★ ''Kinako'': A toasted soy flour.

★ ''Kushi dango'': Dangos held by a skewer

★ ''Mitarashi'': A syrup made from ''shoyu'' (soy sauce), sugar and starch. Popular with children and women.

★ ''Nori'': dried and seasoned seaweed

Derived terms

A common Japanese proverb refers to a preference for practical things rather than aesthetics.
''Dango'' is used internationally amongst go players as a derogatory term for an inefficient, dumpling-like cluster of stones in a go game. It is also the name of a go variant invented in 1991.
A hairstyle consisting of dango-like buns on either side of the head is sometimes known as ''odango''.

Rise in popularity

In 1999, ''dango'' experienced a surge of popularity in Japan following the release of a song entitled "Dango san kyōdai" (three ''dango'' brothers) was released. In a play on words, the song is a tango. The CD single sold over 2.9 million copies, making it the 4th best selling CD single in Japan during 1968-2006.
In the extremely popular Japanese film series ''Otoko wa Tsurai yo'', the family of lead character Kuruma Torajirō (Tora-san) operated a small traditional ''dango'' shop in Shibamata, Katsushika, Tokyo.

See also

★ Wagashi, traditional Japanese confectionery