If you can make pancakes, you can master *dorayaki*, a classic Japanese sweet.

Dorayaki Recipe: How to Make Japanese Red Bean Pancakes

*Dorayaki* (<a href='https://masterclass.com/articles/guide-to-gongs' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://masterclass.com/articles/guide-to-gongs","linkCopy":"gong","category":"automated-link"}' automatic='true'>gong</a> cake) is a *wagashi* (Japanese sweet) consisting of two grilled cakes sandwiched around a filling of *tsubu-an* (mashed sweet [red bean paste](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/red-bean-paste-guide)). The cakes look like American-style pancakes and have a texture similar to [sponge cake](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/sponge-cake-recipe). In the Kansai region of Japan, *dorayaki* is called *mikasa*, a reference to a mountain in Nara Prefecture.

One *dorayaki* origin story links the red bean pancakes to the twelfth-century samurai Benkei, who was allegedly served a similar cake cooked on a metal gong. *Dorayaki* may also have been inspired by the Portuguese castella cakes introduced to Japan during the sixteenth century. The Usagiya bakery in Ueno, Tokyo, claims to have invented the sandwich style of *dorayaki* in 1914. Early *dorayaki* were folded, not sandwiched, around the sweet red bean paste.
Classic dorayaki are filled with sweet red bean paste, but you'll find many variations of the treat in Japanese bakeries and grocery stores. Some of the most popular flavors include:

1. __Matcha__: Matcha green tea powder can be mixed into the *dorayaki* pancake batter, or matcha cream can serve as the filling.
2. __*Nama dorayaki*__: Whipped cream *dorayaki*, known as *nama* (fresh) *dorayaki* are filled with a mixture of whipped cream and red bean paste.
3. __Chestnut__: *Dorayaki* can be filled with chestnut cream or red bean paste with chopped or whole cooked hazelnuts.
4. __Yuzu__: Chopped, candied yuzu peels add a citrus flavor to red or white bean paste fillings.
If you can make pancakes, you can master *dorayaki*, a classic Japanese sweet.

Dorayaki (<a href='https://masterclass.com/articles/guide-to-gongs' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://masterclass.com/articles/guide-to-gongs","linkCopy":"gong","category":"automated-link"}' automatic='true'>gong</a> cake) is a wagashi (Japanese sweet) consisting of two grilled cakes sandwiched around a filling of tsubu-an (mashed sweet <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/red-bean-paste-guide' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/red-bean-paste-guide","linkCopy":"red bean paste","category":null}'>red bean paste</a>). The cakes look like American-style pancakes and have a texture similar to <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/sponge-cake-recipe' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/sponge-cake-recipe","linkCopy":"sponge cake","category":null}'>sponge cake</a>. In the Kansai region of Japan, dorayaki is called mikasa, a reference to a mountain in Nara Prefecture.

What Is Dorayaki? 

One dorayaki origin story links the red bean pancakes to the twelfth-century samurai Benkei, who was allegedly served a similar cake cooked on a metal gong. Dorayaki may also have been inspired by the Portuguese castella cakes introduced to Japan during the sixteenth century. The Usagiya bakery in Ueno, Tokyo, claims to have invented the sandwich style of dorayaki in 1914. Early dorayaki were folded, not sandwiched, around the sweet red bean paste.

Origins of Dorayaki

Classic dorayaki are filled with sweet red bean paste, but you&#39;ll find many variations of the treat in Japanese bakeries and grocery stores. Some of the most popular flavors include:<ol class="mc-m-4"><li class="mc-my-4"> 1. Matcha: Matcha green tea powder can be mixed into the dorayaki pancake batter, or matcha cream can serve as the filling. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 2. Nama dorayaki: Whipped cream dorayaki, known as nama (fresh) dorayaki are filled with a mixture of whipped cream and red bean paste. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 3. Chestnut: Dorayaki can be filled with chestnut cream or red bean paste with chopped or whole cooked hazelnuts. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 4. Yuzu: Chopped, candied yuzu peels add a citrus flavor to red or white bean paste fillings. </li></ol>

4 Types of Dorayaki Filling

Classic Japanese Dorayaki Recipe 

If you can make pancakes, you can master dorayaki, a classic Japanese sweet.