Kelsey Lee’s Yu Wagashi is the place you may discover ways to make this delicate conventional Japanese confection.
KUALA LUMPUR: As soon as a trainer, all the time a trainer!
When former personal tutor Kelsey Lee discovered the artwork of constructing the standard Japanese dessert referred to as wagashi, she needed to show others easy methods to craft it.
And that’s precisely what she did.
Strolling into Yu Wagashi is an expertise in itself. There’s a sense of serenity within the air of this instructing centre and the neatly organized rattan chairs, Japanese-inspired work on the wall and vibrant kimonos all over the place mimic a typical Japanese setting.
Greeting you on the door is Lee herself, clad in a kimono. She is the proprietor of Yu Wagashi and began instructing wagashi programs this March.
Talking with FMT Life-style, Lee stated it was by probability that she got here throughout a social media put up that includes wagashi, its intricate designs and wealthy historical past catching her consideration instantly.
“It was love at first chew after I lastly went to Japan to attempt it for myself, and I used to be shocked by its flavour and the way delicate it was!” Lee, recalled.
Along with her long-standing love for Japanese tradition, the 33-year-old discovered herself wishing to study all she might about this stunning dessert.
She sought out native sources, attended workshops and linked with skilled wagashi lovers in Malaysia. And shortly she had a elementary understanding of it.
Then got here the chance to check below expert wagashi masters in Japan. It was throughout this time that she honed her abilities of this intricate artwork kind.
“There are a lot of variations of wagashi, together with daifuku, yokan and dango, however now we have chosen nerikiri as our first product resulting from its charming magnificence and cultural significance,” she stated.
Largely thought of a rarity within the nation, Lee noticed it as an ideal alternative to deliver this confectionery to Malaysians.
She was additionally adamant about making her workshops extra inexpensive so extra individuals might study the craft from her.
“Fortunately, we discovered a fantastic spot right here in GMBB, and it offered us with the proper platform to showcase my ardour for wagashi and share it with others.”
To create extra consciousness amongst Malaysians in regards to the dessert, Lee designed numerous actions and campaigns to interact and entice the general public’s consideration.
Subsequent got here workshops, tastings and demonstrations to showcase the wonder and flavours of wagashi.
Identified with despair in 2020, Lee shared that immersing herself in crafting wagashi and carving out one stunning sample after one other has tremendously helped her psychological wellbeing.
“You want a relaxed mindset and regular fingers when adorning nerikiri, which is why it helped loads with my despair.
“Listening to sluggish mild music whereas specializing in nothing however making a pleasant sample out of this dough in my fingers brings me inside peace,” she stated, smiling.
FMT additionally took half within the wagashi-making workshop and it was enjoyable from begin to end!
Whereas the bean paste and flavoured filling are ready beforehand for workshop contributors, the course is all about studying the talents wanted to form and craft the bean paste into an nearly too-pretty-to-eat dessert.
“Steps concerned in making the proper nerikiri embody rolling and wrapping the filling into the paste, shaping and flattening it on the board, and utilizing the mandatory instruments to carve or minimize it into the specified sample earlier than adorning with edible gold flakes,” Lee stated.
Three ranges of workshops starting from newbie, intermediate and superior can be found. Members may also buy the complete set of wagashi instruments.
“My hope is to make wagashi a standard and beloved dessert in Malaysia, in addition to to create an area the place individuals can discover inside peace by means of the artwork of constructing these delicate sweets,” Lee stated.
Observe Yu Wagashi on Instagram and Facebook; or head to the Yu Wagashi website.
Yu Wagashi*
GM2-2, GMBB
Jalan Robertson
Bukit Bintang
50150 Kuala Lumpur
Enterprise hours: 11.00am-8.00pm: Wednesday-Sunday
Contact: 011-16690703 (WhatsApp solely)
*Muslims and vegetarians pleasant
