steamed sweet bun made from grated yam and rice flour
A traditional confection from Kagoshima, made with yam and rice flour, often filled with sweet bean paste.
I bought karukan as a souvenir from Kagoshima.
Variant kanji form using 羮 instead of 羹; less common.
The name 軽羹 (karukan) is said to derive from its light, fluffy texture (軽い, karui) and the resemblance to 羹 (kan, a type of thick soup or steamed cake). The exact origin is uncertain.