Andagi are sweet balls of dough that have been deep-fried to light crunchiness. They’re commonly thought of as the Okinawan version of American doughnuts. Before you bite into this delectable treat, here’s more about this traditional dessert.

History

There’s a popular legend surrounding andagi that hints at its deep cultural history and ties to the Ryukyu Islands of Okinawa. A powerful Ryukyuan king was said to have fallen in love with a maiden girl, but she was already in love with a lowly samurai boy. The King, outraged, banished the samurai boy, but before he was removed from the Islands, his mother prepared him a batch of sweet, fried dough balls with a gold coin secreted inside each one. As the samurai’s ship left the Islands forever, he bit into the treats and discovered the coins. The money allowed him to live a comfortable life away from his home. This is why andagi are often referred to as “koban age,” which translates to “fried gold coin.”

Ingredients

Many desserts that originate in the Ryukyu Islands have a blend of Japanese and Chinese ingredients and cooking techniques. Andagi typically contains a flour, sugar, and eggs in the batter. Some recipes call for small amounts of baking powder, oil, and salt to ensure a pastry-like texture and flavor. They’re fried in oil until the outside has a delicate crunch, but the inside remains cakey.

Teruya's Andagi

The menu at Teruya's Andagi features this tasty treat, as well as many other Japanese foods. You can also choose from a wide selection of bento boxes and donburi. If you're in the mood for something lighter, they offer snacks, like shushi rolls with shrimp tempura, garlic chicken, and Spam.

Savor the sweet deliciousness and celebrate the rich cultural significance of this treat at Teruya's Andagi. Conveniently located at 1104 Pensacola Street in Honolulu, HI, you can either dine-in or order takeout. Call (808) 389-1714 to place a bento or party tray order or visit them on Yelp to read their reviews.