Uiro (Sweet Steamed Cake) ｜ Our Regional Cuisines

Yamaguchi Prefecture

Uiro (Sweet Steamed Cake)

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Image source: Nutrition teacher in Yamaguchi City

Main lore areas

Yamaguchi city
Main ingredients used

Bracken flour, Red bean paste

History/origin/related events

”Uiro" is known to be produced in Nagoya, Kyoto, and Odawara. Nagoya is particularly famous for its efforts to procure raw materials amid postwar shortages and to make Japanese sweets, which were then sold throughout the country. Yamaguchi prefecture is also known as a production center for such "Uiro". Nagoya's "Uiro”, which is mainly made from rice flour and sugar, is a steamed confectionery with a chewy texture and heavy weight. However, Yamaguchi prefecture's "Uiro" is made with bracken flour, which gives it an elasticity and a chewy texture. The one in Yamaguchi is also characterized by its unique smoothness, described locally as "Ottori" (=gentle). It is said to have been popular since the Muromachi period (1333-1573), and is a traditional confectionary loved by people in Yamaguchi prefecture for a long time. Although they are popular as daily tea cakes, they are also prized for their elegant sweetness and unique flavor and are used for souvenirs and wedding gifts. Specialty and traditional sweet shops may also sell variations that include "Mattcha"(=powdered green tea), red bean, chestnut, "Yuzu"(=small Japanese citrus fruits), and other ingredients.
Opportunities and times of eating habits

They are valued not only as daily tea cakes, but also as souvenirs and gifts.
How to eat

Dissolve molt sugar and red bean paste in water. Mix wheat flour and bracken flour, add half of the dissolved red bean paste to it and mix well. When the mixture is no longer powdery, add the remaining red bean paste and mix well. Strain the mixture using a fine mesh strainer. Pour the mixture into a mold and add boiled red beans, boiled chestnuts, etc. Once steamed and set, let it cool to room temperature to remove excess heat. Be cautious not to cool it rapidly in the refrigerator as it may become too firm. Additionally, if preparing at home, you can finish it by steaming in the microwave.
Efforts for Preservation and Succession

(Outline of the traditions, the preservation society, social media use, modern approaches to commercialization)
Sold in specialty and traditional sweet shops as a local specialty of Yamaguchi prefecture, it is sometimes offered in school lunches as a menu that evokes a sense of the region. Widely recognized as a Yamaguchi souvenir, it is also available in souvenir shops and other places.

RECIPE

Ingredients (4 servings)

Bracken flour 20g
Sugar 1 tbsp.
Water 4 tbsp.
Sweet red bean paste (smooth, commercially available) 60g

How to cook

1. Fill a steamer with water and bring to a boil.
2. Put the bracken flour and sugar in a bowl and mix well with a whisk, adding water little by little.
3. Add sweet red bean paste (commercially available) to mixture 2 and mix well.
4. Pour mixture 3 into a mold (steamer-safe container) and steam for 15 minutes.
5. Once steamed, remove it from the mold and divide it into portions for the number of people.

provider : Nutrition teacher in Yamaguchi City

Recipes vary depending on the region and home.

Contact

Food Cultures Office, Overseas Market Development and Food Cultures Division, Food Industry Affairs Bureau, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries

Tel:+81-3-3502-5516

Uiro (Sweet Steamed Cake) ｜ Our Regional Cuisines

Yamaguchi Prefecture

Uiro (Sweet Steamed Cake)

Main lore areas

Main ingredients used

History/origin/related events

Opportunities and times of eating habits

How to eat

Efforts for Preservation and Succession

RECIPE

Ingredients (4 servings)

How to cook