Yaki-imo
Yaki-imo is a beloved Japanese street food consisting of whole sweet potatoes roasted slowly over low heat, often until their natural sugars caramelize into a sweet, sticky glaze. The dish typically uses starchy Japanese sweet potato varieties like 'beni-imo' or 'kintoki-imo', which are roasted in their skins without added ingredients. Originating as a simple, affordable snack, it's a quintessential autumn and winter treat found at festivals, street stalls, and convenience stores throughout Japan.
🍽️ Nutrition at a glance
Yaki-imo is a carbohydrate-rich food, providing a good source of dietary fiber, vitamin A (from beta-carotene), vitamin C, and potassium. A typical medium-sized serving (about 150g) contains roughly 180-220 calories, with minimal fat and protein.
Nutrition breakdown
| Calories | 172 kcal |
| Protein | 2 g |
| Carbs | 40 g |
| Fat | 0.2 g |
| Fiber | 5.4 g |
| Sugar | 12 g |
| Sodium | 40 mg |
| Potassium | 450 mg |
| Vitamin A | 960 mcg RAE |
| Vitamin C | 20 mg |
| Vitamin B6 | 0.3 mg |
| Manganese | 0.5 mg |
| Magnesium | 30 mg |
| Phosphorus | 55 mg |
| Iron | 0.8 mg |
Per 1 medium sweet potato (about 150 g, edible portion) · estimated, varies by recipe
💡 What's interesting
Culturally, yaki-imo is deeply associated with nostalgic, comforting winter scenes in Japan, often evoked by the sound of a vendor's truck calling out 'ishi-yaki-imo!' Nutritionally, its slow-roasting method concentrates the natural sugars, creating a sweeter, more complex flavor without any added sugar, making it a naturally sweet and satisfying whole-food snack.
