Daigakuimo – Sweet & Crispy Japanese Candied Sweet Potato Snack Recipe

Fall is the season of satsumaimo (Japanese sweet potatoes), and one of the best ways to enjoy them is with Daigakuimo (大学芋). This Japanese candied sweet potato snack is crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and coated with a glossy caramelized sugar glaze sprinkled with sesame seeds. It’s a nostalgic Japanese street food and a popular homemade treat during autumn.

If you’ve spotted satsumaimo at your local Asian grocery store or farmers market, this is the perfect recipe to try. With just a few ingredients, you can make this classic Japanese snack right in your kitchen.

RECIPE

Servings: 2-3

Time: 20 min

Ingredients:

1 medium-sized satsumaimo (Japanese sweet potato), or 2 cups diced satsumaimo
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
3 tablespoons sugar
black sesame seeds (for garnish)

My Kitchen Tools:

Skillet

Instructions:

Prepare the sweet potatoes
Wash and scrub the satsumaimo well. (You can peel them, but leaving some skin on adds color and texture)
Cut into bite-sized chunks (about 1–1.5 inch pieces).
Soak in water for 5 minutes to remove excess starch, then pat dry.
Cook the sweet potatoes
Add the potatoes, sugar, and cooking oil into a skillet, or a pan, stir quickly.
Put a lid on, turn on the heat over medium heat, cook the potatoes for about 5 minutes.
Open the lid, cook another 10-15 minutes while until the potatoes get crispy and coated with the caramel glaze.
Finish and serve
Sprinkle with toasted black sesame seeds, and serve while it’s hot.

Ingredients on Amazon Store Front

What is Daigakuimo?

Daigakuimo literally translates to “university potatoes”.

The dish first became popular in Tokyo during the early 1900s as an inexpensive yet filling snack for college students. Over time, its rich, sweet flavor and satisfying crunch turned it into a staple of Japanese fall cuisine.

Today, you’ll find Daigakuimo sold by street vendors, supermarkets, and even school festivals across Japan in the cooler months. It’s one of those simple recipes that tastes like pure comfort food.

The basic preparation method of Daigakuimo involves deep frying sweet potato pieces until they become crispy and then coating them in a sugary syrup. Often, sesame seeds are sprinkled on top, adding a delightful nutty flavor and a pleasing textural contrast. This recipe doesn’t include the deep frying process, but instead, just fry all the ingredients in a pan to create the delicious treat quickly.