Japanese food

Last update September 9, 2025

Japanese Food - Pongashi -



  

Pon Gashi

Popped Rice

Some old-timers may recall their childhoods, dashing out of the house with a small bag of rice grains when they heard a loud popping sound outside. That was a Pongashi peddler travelling from town to town with a puffing machine installed at their pickup truck or two-wheeled cart. In the post-war age, when luxurious Oyatsu (mid-meal snacks) for children were still scarce, Pongashi was something youngsters could enjoy. So, what exactly is Pongashi? In a nutshell, it’s the rice version of popcorn, made by puffing rice grains together with sugar. The word “Pon” of the name represents the puff sound (i.e., pop), while “Gashi” is the Rendaku (voiceless sound becoming voiced) version of “Kashi” (sweets). Pongashi is available in the form of plain, separate grains or a bar, created by hardening grains with Mizu Ame.

japanese-food-pongashi
Sweet-seasoned Pongashi. 		japanese-food-omusubi
Pongashi placed in a dish.
japanese-food-pongashi
Sweet-seasoned Pongashi.

japanese-food-omusubi
Pongashi placed in a dish.