Salted Karinto Made with Kyushu-Grown Kogane Sengan Sweet Potatoes
"Kogane Sengan" is a sweet potato variety primarily cultivated in southern Kyushu, especially in Kagoshima and Miyazaki. Traditionally used in shochu production, it is now gaining attention for its refined taste and texture in snack applications. Its dense and starchy profile makes it particularly suited for deep-fried snacks like karinto.
This unique salted karinto is crafted by slicing and frying sweet potatoes before coating them with a thin layer of beet sugar and finishing with a hint of natural sea salt. The result is a perfect balance of sweetness and savoriness that appeals to both traditional snack lovers and modern health-conscious consumers. Unlike conventional karinto made with wheat flour, this version offers a lighter texture and a more pronounced natural sweetness from the sweet potato itself.
The product uses rice bran oil (rather than palm oil) to achieve a clean, crisp texture. Additionally, it is free from artificial additives and relies on simple, traceable ingredients. The combination of “natural saltiness” and “sweet vegetable profile” supports Japan’s growing demand for better-for-you indulgent snacks.
This salted karinto is currently sold through premium food delivery services like Oisix and organic specialty retailers, often in seasonal or limited-edition packs. It has also been featured in local government-curated gift boxes and is gaining traction as a product suitable for export to Asia-Pacific markets seeking authentic, regional Japanese snacks.
Martner Japan insight comment
“Imo Kenpi” is a traditional Japanese snack made by deep-frying thin strips of sweet potato and coating them with a light sugar glaze. It pairs perfectly with Japanese tea or other beverages, yet this simple and delicious snack remains relatively unknown outside of Japan.
In Japan, it is commonly found in supermarkets, drugstores, and convenience stores—usually in the confectionery section, and occasionally near the produce area.
In international markets, Imo Kenpi has strong potential as an innovative offering in the sweet snacks, dried fruit, or even produce category, depending on the store’s merchandising strategy.
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