5 Typical Japanese Takjil Recipes that are Similar to Local Snacks, Suitable for Breaking the Fast Apart from Fried Foods

illustration photo: Gemini AI

Brilio.net – Bored with the same old iftar menu? Once in a while, try looking at the typical snacks from Sakura Country which apparently have a similar texture and taste to our traditional snacks. Starting from chewy ones like onde-onde to soft baked cakes, this line of snacks is guaranteed to make the moment of breaking the fast more colorful.

Apart from its authentic taste, making Japanese snacks at home is actually not as difficult as you imagine because the ingredients are easy to find at the nearest market or minimarket. You can invite your family or friends to get creative in the kitchen while waiting for sunset to arrive. Come on, take a peek at the following appetizing Japanese-style takjil recipe!

1. Daifuku & Dango: Chewy and Sweet Similar to Candil

Takjil Menu Ideas
© 2026 brilio.net/Gemini AI

This snack has a chewy texture from glutinous rice flour which is very similar to candil or klepon balls. Daifuku usually contains soft red bean paste, while Dango is served on a skewer with a sweet and savory sauce. Both are very suitable to be enjoyed with warm tea on an empty stomach.

Material:
– 150g sticky rice flour
– 50 gr granulated sugar
– 150ml air
– Red bean paste (for Daifuku filling)
– Cornstarch (for sprinkling)
– Light sweet soy sauce (for Dango topping)

How to make:
1. Mix sticky rice flour, sugar and water, then steam for 15 minutes until transparent.
2. Knead the dough while it’s warm, sprinkle with cornstarch to prevent it from sticking.
3. Divide the dough, fill it with red bean paste for Daifuku or a plain round shape for Dango.
4. Serve immediately or drizzle Dango with sweet sauce.

– Duration: 30 Minutes
– Servings: 4 People

2. Taiyaki: Filling Fish Cakes

Takjil Menu Ideas
© 2026 brilio.net/Gemini AI

Taiyaki is an iconic fish-shaped baked cake with a crispy outside but soft inside. The classic filling is red bean paste (anko), but you can customize it with chocolate or custard cream according to your taste. The cute shape often makes children more enthusiastic when it’s time to break the fast.

Material:
– 150g wheat flour
– 1 egg
– 180ml liquid milk
– 1 tsp baking powder
– Chocolate or red bean paste to taste

How to make:
1. Beat the eggs and milk, then add the flour mixture and baking powder until smooth.
2. Heat the fish-shaped mold and grease with a little oil.
3. Pour half the mixture into the mold, fill it, then cover it again with the mixture.
4. Bake until both sides are golden brown.

– Duration: 25 Minutes
– Servings: 3 People

3. Dorayaki: Doraemon’s favorite soft pancakes

Takjil Menu Ideas
© 2026 brilio.net/Gemini AI

This cake consists of two round pancakes stacked with a sweet filling in the middle. The texture is very soft and light in the mouth, so it doesn’t make the stomach feel too full when breaking the fast. You can use ready-made red bean butter to save preparation time.

Material:
– 2 eggs
– 40 gr granulated sugar
– 1 tbsp honey
– 130g wheat flour
– 1/2 tsp baking soda

How to make:
1. Mix eggs, sugar and honey, stir until slightly thickened.
2. Add flour and baking soda, let the dough rest for 15 minutes.
3. Cook the mixture on a non-stick Teflon until bubbles appear, then flip.
4. Take two pancakes and put red bean butter in the middle.

– Duration: 20 Minutes
– Servings: 4 People

4. Create a Divilitator: I’m also the Broom

Takjil Menu Ideas
© 2026 brilio.net/Gemini AI

Goma Dango are fried sticky rice balls covered in sesame seeds with a sweet red bean filling. In appearance and taste, this snack is very identical to the onde-onde that we often find in traditional markets. The difference lies in the type of nuts used as the filling which tends to be finer.

Material:
– 200g sticky rice flour
– 150ml warm water
– 50 gr granulated sugar
– Red bean paste for filling
– White sesame to taste

How to make:
1. Stir the sticky rice flour, sugar and warm water until it is smooth and can be shaped.
2. Take a little dough, flatten it, then fill it with red bean paste.
3. Round again, dip in a little water, then roll in sesame seeds.
4. Fry over low heat until it floats and is brown.

– Duration: 35 Minutes
– Servings: 5 People

5. Matcha Ice Cream: Elegant Thirst Quencher

Takjil Menu Ideas
© 2026 brilio.net/Gemini AI

Matcha or powdered green tea provides a distinctive, calming aroma and unique slightly bitter taste. Serving matcha ice cream as a cold takjil can help lower body temperature after a day of fasting. The soft texture is very delicious if eaten slowly as a dessert.

Material:
– 2 tbsp pure matcha powder
– 200ml liquid whipped cream (cold)
– 100ml sweetened condensed milk
– A little warm water (to dissolve the matcha)

How to make:
1. Dissolve the matcha powder in warm water until there are no lumps.
2. Beat the whipped cream until stiff, then mix in the sweetened condensed milk and matcha solution.
3. Stir gently until the color is even, then pour into an airtight container.
4. Store in the freezer for at least 6 hours before serving.

Duration: 15 Minutes (plus freezing time)
Servings: 3 People

FAQ How to Make Japanese Snacks

1. Can sticky rice flour be replaced with tapioca flour to make Dango?

Not recommended, because tapioca flour will give a texture that is too chewy and chewy like boba, whereas Dango requires the dense but soft texture of sticky rice flour.

2. How do you store leftover red bean paste (anko) so that it lasts?

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-5 days of use, or store in the freezer if you want to use it within a month.

3. Why is my Dorayaki dough often not smooth in color?

Make sure you use quality non-stick Teflon and don’t use too much oil/butter, just wipe it a little with a tissue so that the surface of the pancake is evenly browned.

4. Can matcha powder be replaced with regular green tea?

Not optimal, because matcha powder has a stronger concentration of flavor and color than regular green tea for ice cream.

5. What are your tips for ensuring that the sesame seeds in Goma Dango don’t fall off when frying?

Make sure to wet the surface of the sticky rice ball with a little water before rolling it in the sesame seeds, then press gently so that the sesame sticks firmly.

(brl/tin)