Gomashio is a dry condiment made from unhulled, toasted sesame seeds and salt. Often eaten as over sekihan, plain rice or onigiri, this Fōkāto Hakata Gomaan reinterprets gomashio in manjū form.
The gomaan is a baked, rather than steamed, type and topped with toasted sesame and filled with the typical anko filling.
Each piece is sealed individually and 4 cm in diameter and 2 cm in height.
The gomaan has baked, gently sweet aroma and on tasting, surprises us with its soft, cake texture, which is moist with a fine crumb and a slight saltiness. The toasted coating gave a moreish sesame flavour and gentle crunch, while the anko brought just enough sweetness. The gomaan are enjoyable — it’s not the crunchy cookie like texture we were expecting — and its mellow sweetness and simple flavour smake it something easily enjoyed with some tea.
This Fōkāto Hakata Gomaan contained 6 pieces. It was produced in Japan and purchased in Fukuoka, Japan in 2019.