Karukan

Karukan (軽羹^?) is a Japanese confection from Kyushu.

Karukan is made from karukan rice flour powder, sugar, and grated Japanese yam. Water is added to the mixture, which is then steamed. It is like an elastic white sponge.^[1]

Karukan is made at many confectioneries in Kagoshima. It is sold widely in Miyazaki Prefecture and it is also made there. Confectioneries in Beppu, Oita, have been producing and selling karukan since 1952. It is a famous souvenir in Beppu. Also, there are some factories which produce and sell karukan in Fukuoka Prefecture.

The origin of the name is "light" (軽) confection like rice cake (羹).

Originally,  karukan was “saomono gashi” which is traditional confection in the form of long block but “karukan manjū” which is filled with red bean paste has become the norm in recent years.