A noteworthy new creation has arrived on the Japanese winter sweets scene. Starting December 2, 2025, 7-Eleven Japan will progressively launch two types of Japanese sweets based on the ever-popular “an-butter” theme. The new items are the “An-Butter Dorayaki” and the “An-Butter Daifuku.” These are must-try treats for the winter, perfectly blending traditional Japanese confectionery with modern flavor trends.
Why is “An-Butter” Getting so Much Attention Now?
“An-butter” is a flavor characterized by its sweet and savory taste, combining “anko” (a traditional Japanese sweet red bean paste) with Western-style “butter.” The popularity of this combination has been rapidly growing within Japan over the past few years, with the number of internet searches for it increasing annually.
Its fame is such that specialty an-butter shops have appeared, and various cafes and bakeries are developing their own original menu items. It especially captivates many people during the cold season, when rich, full-bodied flavors are preferred. Now, 7-Eleven, a leading convenience store chain in Japan, has responded to this trend with two quintessential Japanese sweets known for their reliable quality and large fan base: “Dorayaki” and “Daifuku.”
A Perfect Contrast of Sweet and Salty! The “An-Butter Dorayaki”
First up is the “An-Butter Dorayaki,” a confection of luxurious layers.
It is priced at 240 yen (259.20 yen with tax) and will be released sequentially starting today at 7-Eleven stores all across Japan (excluding Okinawa).
The most significant feature of this dorayaki is its use of two types of butter. First, between the soft and moist dorayaki pancakes, you’ll find elegantly sweet “tsubu-an” (chunky red bean paste) and a smooth “butter cream.” On top of that, a slice of solid “salted butter” is added, which is the key to its flavor.
With the first bite, the gentle flavor of the butter cream spreads, followed by the salted butter melting and adding a rich milkiness and fragrant aroma. The solid sweetness of the anko and the saltiness of the butter create a magnificent contrast, truly maximizing the “sweet and salty” appeal. It’s an incredibly rich sweet that also allows you to enjoy the different textures of each ingredient.
Irresistibly Chewy and Creamy: The “An-Butter Daifuku”
Next is the “An-Butter Daifuku,” a cute, palm-sized treat.
Priced at 170 yen (183.60 yen with tax), this will also be sold at 7-Eleven stores all across Japan (excluding Okinawa), just like the dorayaki.
“Daifuku” is a traditional Japanese sweet made by wrapping a filling, such as anko, in soft mochi (rice cake) made from glutinous rice. This “An-Butter Daifuku” features a soft, yet chewy and elastic dough made from fine-grained mochi flour.
Inside the dough, you’ll find the same “tsubu-an” as in the dorayaki, along with a generous filling of salted “butter cream.” The creamy saltiness of the butter cream further enhances the deep sweetness of the tsubu-an, melting together smoothly in your mouth. A pleasant sweet and salty flavor fills your palate, leaving a delicious, lingering taste.
A “Treat for Myself” Available at the Convenience Store
According to the product developer, these items were created in pursuit of the “ultimate sense of luxury and satisfaction” that an-butter lovers seek, with a thorough focus on achieving the perfect balance of anko’s sweetness, butter’s richness, and a hint of salt.
The aim was to create a quality product, comparable to those from specialty stores, that people could easily buy at their local convenience store as a “special treat for myself” at the end of a tiring day of work or study. Being able to choose between the rich and satisfying “Dorayaki” or the chewy and creamy “Daifuku” depending on your mood is another major appeal.
Japanese convenience store sweets are constantly evolving, with new products appearing each season to delight us. If you have the chance to visit Japan, why not stop by a nearby 7-Eleven and try these latest Japanese sweets that combine both “trend” and “tradition”?
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