Sweet potatoes or Satsuma Imo/薩摩芋 were introduced a long time ago in Japan where they became a mainstay vegetable in winter, especially in the west of Japan where they supplemented rice as a staple food.
Daigaku Imo/大学芋, literally ‘University Potatoes” have been popular with students for times immemorial as not only as a dessert but also as a great snack. In fact, a lot of people prefer them to fried potatoes!

INGREDIENTS: (for 4 people)

Sweet potato (raw): 600 g
Sugar: 90 g
Ground white sesame seeds: 1 teaspoon
Oil: As appropriate

RECIPE:

Peel sweet potatoes.
Cut in long thin slices (thin wedges). Actually cut them into the shape and size of your preference but take in account that the thicker they are, the longer time they will take to fry.
Leave in water for 10 minutes.
Take out of water.
Wipe off all humidity.

Heat oil to 150 degrees. Keep oil shallow enough.
Fry until the sweet potatoes have softened. Do not let them change color then.

Take sweet potatoes out and shake oil off.
Bring the oil to 180 degrees.
Fry the sweet potatoes again until they attain a nice brown color.

While the sweet potatoes are frying pour the water and sugar in a separate pan and heat on a low fire.
Let sugar dissolve completely.
When the rim of the water changes color keep heating gently shaking the pan around. You may use a spatula but proceed gently.
When the syrup has attained a light brown color switch off fire.

Take sweet potatoes out of the oil once cooked. Shake off oil well. Drop the potatoes into a separate bowl.
Add the ground white sesame seeds.
Mix well, taking care not to damage the potatoes.

Coat the potatoes with syrup while hot and let cool down completely inside a recipient slightly coated with oil.

Serve and enjoy!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Kraemer’s Culinary blog by Frank Kraemer in New York,Tokyo Food File by Robbie Swinnerton, Green Tea Club by Satoshi Nihonyanagi in Shizuoka!, Mind Some by Tina in Taiwan, Le Manger by Camille Oger (French), The Indian Tourist, Masala Herb by Helene Dsouza in Goa, India, Mummy I Can Cook! by Shu Han in London, Pierre.Cuisine, Francescannotwrite, My White Kitchen, Foodhoe, Chucks Eats, Things that Fizz & Stuff, Five Euro Food by Charles,Red Shallot Kitchen by Priscilla,With a Glass, Nami | Just One Cookbook, Peach Farm Studio, Clumsyfingers by Xethia, PepperBento,Adventures in Bento Making, American Bent, Beanbento, Bento No, Bento Wo Tsukurimashou, Cooking Cute, Eula, Hapabento , Happy Bento, Jacki’s Bento Blog, Kitchen Cow, Leggo My Obento, Le Petit Journal Bento & CO (French), Lunch In A Box,
Susan at Arkonlite, Vegan Lunch Box; Tokyo Tom Baker, Daily Food Porn/Osaka, Only Nature Food Porn, Happy Little Bento, The Herbed Kitchen, J-Mama’s Kitchen, Cook, Eat, Play, Repeat, Bento Lunch Blog (German), Adventures In Bento, Anna The Red’s Bento Factory, Cooking Cute, Timeless Gourmet, Bento Bug, Ideal Meal, Bentosaurus, Mr. Foodie (London/UK), Ohayo Bento,

Must-see tasting websites:

-Sake: Tokyo Through The Drinking Glass, Tokyo Foodcast, Urban Sake, Sake World
-Wine: Palate To Pen, Warren Bobrow, Cellar Tours, Ancient Fire Wines Blog
-Beer: Good Beer & Country Boys, Another Pint, Please!, Beering In Good Mind: All about Craft Beer in kanzai by Nevitt Reagan!
-Japanese Pottery to enjoy your favourite drinks: Yellin Yakimono Gallery