Uiro (Japanese Traditional Steamed Cake)

Uiro is one of the easiest Japanese traditional sweets to make. It has a subtly sweet and glutinous texture, making it suitable not only as an after-dinner dessert but also as a snack.

By adding different ingredients, you can create a colorful uiro with various flavors. It is surprisingly easy to make, so even those who have never tried making sweets before should give it a try!

Jump to:

• What is Uiro?
• Differences depending on the grain flour used
• Color and taste
• Ingredients
• Step-by-step instructions
• Tips on how to make
• Recipe Card

What is Uiro?

Uiro is a traditional Japanese sweet that is rectangular-shaped and made from wheat flour, rice flour, or bracken starch, along with sugar, water, and other ingredients. It has a moderately sweet taste and a glutinous texture, making it suitable even for those who don't prefer overly sweet desserts.

It can be made with just a few ingredients and is very simple to prepare, allowing you to easily add your own twist to it.

Differences depending on the grain flour used

Uiro is enjoyed throughout Japan, but its texture varies significantly depending on the region because different types of grain flour are used. For example, in Aichi Prefecture, rice flour is commonly used, while in Mie, wheat flour is preferred, and in Yamaguchi, bracken flour is often used. The differences in texture due to the choice of flour are as follows:

• Rice flour: Soft and glutinous texture.
• Wheat flour: Slightly firmer and less glutinous texture.
• Bracken flour: Glutinous and jelly-like texture.

In Japan, the most famous type of uiro is made with rice flour in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture. However, personally, I find the uiro made with wheat flour in Ise, Mie Prefecture, to be the most delicious.

Here, let me share with you my recommended recipe for uiro using wheat flour.

Color and taste

You can make plain uiro (white uiro) by following the recipe, but you can make flavored uiro by substituting or adding ingredients. By substituting brown sugar for regular sugar, you can make brown uiro. By adding matcha powder, you can make green uiro, while adding food coloring will result in pink uiro.

Additionally, it is also possible to include red beans or chestnuts when making uiro. Recently in Japan, you can also find uiro flavors such as coffee and honey.

Ingredients

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This is a plain uiro (white uiro) recipe, but you can also make green uiro with matcha flavor by using matcha powder. In that case, add 1 Tbsp of matcha powder and reduce the amount of cake flour by 1 Tbsp (0.28 oz./8g) for every 2 servings.

Step-by-step instructions

🕒 Total 1 hr 30 mins

Step 1
Combine the cake flour and sugar in a bowl. If you are adding matcha powder, add it at this point.

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Step 2
Pour water into the bowl in several portions, mixing well each time.

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Step 3
Strain the mixture in a bowl through a sieve and transfer it to a microwave-safe container.

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Step 4
Lightly cover the container with plastic wrap and microwave it at 500W for 6 minutes (or at 600W for 5 minutes). After heating, let it cool, and then place it in the refrigerator for about 1 hour.

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Step 5
Remove the uiro from the container and cut it into bite-sized pieces using a moistened knife.

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To Store

You can store it at room temperature or in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.

Tips on how to make

• Mix the flour, sugar, and water thoroughly. Avoid lumps from forming as much as possible, which will result in a smooth mixture.
• Strain the mixture through a sieve to achieve an even and smooth texture. It may seem like an extra step, but it will make a significant difference in the final result.
• Microwave slowly at 500W or 600W. If you use a high power setting, such as 1000W, the mixture may expand and overflow from the container.

Recipe Card