Tsukimi Dango ( Japanese Moon-Viewing Dumplings)

Tsukimi Dango are traditional Japanese rice dumplings made to celebrate Tsukimi, the autumn moon-viewing festival in Japan. These soft and chewy white dumplings are shaped to resemble the full moon and are traditionally stacked into a small pyramid as an offering to give thanks for the autumn harvest. Learn how to make Tsukimi Dango at home with this easy recipe and enjoy this beautiful Japanese autumn tradition! What is Tsukimi Dango? Tsukimi Dango (月見団子) are small Japanese rice dumplings traditionally prepared for Tsukimi, Japan’s autumn moon-viewing celebration. “Tsukimi” means “moon viewing,” while “dango” refers to Japanese dumplings made from rice flour. The white, round shape represents the full moon, and the dango are displayed as an offering to give thanks for the autumn harvest. Unlike colorful Hanami Dango or Mitarashi Dango covered in a sweet soy sauce glaze, Tsukimi Dango are traditionally plain and simple. They are often arranged in a pyramid of 15 dumplings for Jugoya (十五夜), meaning the fifteenth night, when people gather to admire the beautiful autumn moon. The Tradition of Tsukimi in Japan What is Otsukimi? Otsukimi (お月見), also called Tsukimi (月見), means “moon view...