When you visit Okayama Prefecture, be sure to try the local food specialty, kibi dango. They are like small powdered balls of translucent paste that is sweetened and flavored. Depending on the store, you may be able to try such varieties as peach, salt, brown sugar, or green tea.
kibi dango (photo: wallyg/flickr)
The local folk hero, Momotaro, and his companions the monkey, dog, and pheasant, were said to have eaten kibi dango for strength before fighting and being victorious over an island of ogres. Therefore, kibi dango are often sold in packaging covered with pictures from the story.
Kibi Dango from Okayama Station in Okayama City (photo: jpellgen/flickr)
Kibi dango are made from a blend of millet and other flours. The Japanese word for millet is “kibi.” There is also a district in Okayama called “Kibi,” though the kanji characters and meaning are different. However, the identical pronunciation helped establish the treat’s popularity in the area.
Making kibi dango (photo: fugutabetai_shyashin/flickr)
