fried dough cake(Karintou)
It is made by kneading flour with sugar and eggs, cutting it into long, thin strips, deep frying it, and sprinkling melted brown sugar or white sugar over the top. There are various theories about its origin, but one theory is that it originated from “kahana,” which was introduced by Japanese envoys to China around the 8th century and was made by kneading flour into long, thin strips, forming them into a knot, and deep frying them in oil.
It was not until the middle of the Edo period (1603-1867) that the general public began to eat kahana. At that time, it was sold around Fukagawa area by peddlers carrying a balance pole. It is said that it was a product sold by a confectioner in Asakusa’s Nakamise area during the Meiji period (1868-1912) that led to the widespread spread of the snacks as we know them today.
