The folks that were kind enough to provide entrance into the Royal Grand Hall of Buddhism also gifted Kawara Senbei in the likeness of the famous onigawara from the Main Hall building. Kawara are roofing tiles made of fired clay and are a type of roof ornamentation found in Japanese architecture. Onigawara are most often found on Buddhist temples, generally manufactured on a style similar to that of kawara but are statue-like depicting Japanese ogre (oni) or a fearsome beast much like a gargoyle. Kawara-senbei, roof tile cookie, are a traditional sweet that has its origins in the Kansai area. This was my first kawara senbei and the flavor was mellow - sweet but not overly so and they have a very pleasing almost smoky flavor. The texture is nice and crispy making for a very delicious treat!
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sometimes you can find kawara senbei looking like an actual roof tile, squarish and kind of on the hard side. good with some green tea.
ReplyDeleteBelieve I tried some in Kyoto, kinda cinnamon flavored and quite hard - it really would have been better with tea :)
ReplyDeleteI think the ones that are cinnamon flavored are yatsuhashi they are quite hard.
ReplyDeleteAH, that was it thanks! I will have to keep my eyes open for more kawara senbei.
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