These Japanese Candied Sweet Potatoes (Daigaku Imo) is a classic snack to enjoy in fall and winter. They are crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and covered in a sweet candied glaze. Perfect with a cup of green tea!

Candied Sweet Potatoes (Daigaku Imo)

INGREDIENTS

#1 Deep-Fry Version

• 2 Japanese sweet potatoes (Satsumaimo) (1.2 lbs or 540 g)
• 2 tsp kosher/sea salt (I use Diamond Crystal; Use half for table salt) (for soaking sweet potatoes)
• 2 cups neutral-flavored oil (vegetable, canola, etc) (for deep frying)
• 5 Tbsp sugar (60 g)
• 1 ½ Tbsp water
• 1 Tbsp mirin (Substitute: Use ½ Tbsp sugar)
• 1 tsp rice vinegar (vinegar helps the sugar from hardening when it cools down)
• 1 tsp soy sauce
• 1 tsp toasted black sesame seeds (for garnish)

#2 Steam & Shallow-Fry Version

• 11 oz Japanese sweet potato (Satsumaimo) (300 g)
• 3 Tbsp neutral-flavored oil (vegetable, canola, etc)
• 5 Tbsp sugar (60 g)
• ¼ tsp soy sauce
• ¼ tsp rice vinegar (vinegar helps the sugar from hardening when it cools down)
• 1 tsp toasted black sesame seeds (for garnish)

INSTRUCTIONS

#1 Deep-Fry Version

1. Gather all the ingredients.

   

2. Carefully wash the sweet potatoes (Don’t peel the skin). Cut the sweet potatoes diagonally while rotating the sweet potato a quarter between cuts. This Japanese cutting technique is called “Rangiri”.

3. Put the sweet potatoes in 8 cups water and add 2 tsp salt. Soak for 15 minutes to remove starch.

4. Add the oil in the medium pot (I use a 2.75-QT Staub) and bring it to 320 ºF (160 ºC) (Use a cooking thermometer helps!). Meanwhile, dry the sweet potatoes with the kitchen towel (or paper towel).

5. When the oil has reached 320 ºF (160 ºC), add the sweet potatoes (half of them) into the oil and deep fry. Do not crowd the pot and fry in batches (I do twice).

6. Deep fry until golden brown, about 10 minutes.

7. When it's golden brown, insert a wooden skewer to make sure it goes through. Transfer to a wire rack or a paper towel to drain the oil.

8. To make candy (syrup), combine 5 Tbsp sugar, 1 ½ Tbsp water, and 1 Tbsp Mirin in a large frying pan off the heat. Put on the stove and bring it to boil on medium heat.

9. Once the mixture is bubbling, add 1 tsp vinegar and 1 tsp soy sauce.

10. Reduce the mixture, stirring constantly, until the right consistency. When you can draw a line on the pan, add the sweet potatoes.

11. Turn off the heat and coat the sweet potatoes with syrup. Sprinkle black sesame seeds (once the candy is hardened, sesame seeds won't stick to the surface, so do it while candy is soft).

12. Serve on a plate or bowl. Enjoy!

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