Monaka is one of the traditional Japanese wagashi sweets that contain sweet azuki bean paste which is sandwiched between two delicate wafers and baked with mochi rice cake. Kurogoma Monaka uses kurogoma'an, a kind of smooth, uniform bean paste, which is a mixture of anko paste and roasted black sesame seeds which give the whole its characteristic dark color and sesame flavor. On the other hand, edible bamboo charcoal was added to the wafers which also serves to obtain a black color. We recommend trying this unusual snack with a cup of Japanese green tea.