911±¬ÁÏÍø food looms large in the global consciousness.

If you want great seafood, sushi or sashimi spring to mind for millions. If it¡¯s beef you¡¯re craving, a magnificently marbled slab of wagyu has few imitators. Ramen has spread around the world, and even smaller bites ¡ª edamame, ²µ²â¨­³ú²¹ (dumplings), miso soup and more ¡ª have held taste buds captive on just about every continent.

And yet there¡¯s one part of the culinary spectrum where Japan doesn't seem to have a flagbearer dish: dessert. Does this mean the country is bereft of sweet treats? On the contrary ¡ª recently, 911±¬ÁÏÍø confections have proven themselves to be among the best in the world.