Daigaku Imo
Daigaku Imo, which translates to 'university potato,' is a classic Japanese street food featuring chunks of sweet potato deep-fried until crispy and then coated in a glossy, sweet syrup, often finished with toasted black sesame seeds. It originated as a popular snack among university students in Tokyo in the early 20th century. The dish typically uses Japanese sweet potatoes (satsumaimo), sugar, soy sauce, and mirin.
🍽️ Nutrition at a glance
This dish is high in carbohydrates and sugar due to the sweet potato base and the syrup coating. A typical serving provides a good source of vitamin A and fiber from the potato, but it is also calorie-dense, with a rough estimate of 250-350 calories per serving.
Nutrition breakdown
| Calories | 350 kcal |
| Protein | 2.5 g |
| Carbs | 65 g |
| Fat | 10 g |
| Fiber | 4 g |
| Sugar | 35 g |
| Sodium | 150 mg |
| Vitamin A | 800 mcg RAE |
| Vitamin C | 15 mg |
| Vitamin B6 | 0.3 mg |
| Potassium | 450 mg |
| Manganese | 0.6 mg |
| Iron | 1.5 mg |
| Calcium | 40 mg |
| Magnesium | 25 mg |
Per 1 cup (150 g) · estimated, varies by recipe
💡 What's interesting
The name 'Daigaku Imo' comes from its historical association with affordable snacks sold near universities, making it a nostalgic comfort food. Nutritionally, while it's a sweet treat, the use of sweet potato provides more vitamins and fiber than typical fried desserts.
