Dango 101
It was a chilly winter morning, the city clouded in frosty fog that nipped at the skin of any doll that didn’t dress for the season, and even buns did their best to keep warm, wearing long scarves and tying their ears up into updos. Fleur left her apartment building wearing a fluffy pink scarf tied around her ears that framed her face, followed by her beloved pets Mallow the Arctoasty and Spore the green Phloof, as they all headed to the other side of the town for a weekend outing.
“Hello, I’m here to take Dan’s dango-making class?” With a ding of the door, as she entered, Fleur went straight to business.
Inside the dango shop, she was greeted by a rhythmic pounding of wood on something soft, but no one at the front to see her. Some rustling was heard from the corner of the shop. In this early morning, no customers were inside, either.
“Excuse mee?~” Fleur called out again, louder.
The hammer pounding stopped and a large grey bun came out from the back, carrying a mallet dusted in flour.
“Welcome to Dan’s Dango. How can I help you?” The gruff-looking bun set his hammer down and walked towards his new client.
“Good morning! I’d like to take your dango-making class!” Fleur greeted the store owner. “You see, whenever my partner is in the area for work, he always buys snacks for me, and I’ve been really loving the chewiness and flavor of your dango!” Fleur’s voice dazzled while she explained to Dan why she was interested in taking his dango-making class. “And, of course, the little ones absolutely love them too, so I’d love to be able to make some for them whenever.” she continued, petting the Arctoasty and Phloof by her side.
Dan nodded in response, his face softening a little at the sight of the fluffy imps. Something about their fuzziness reminded him of his roommate with a soft behind who was probably lazing around in his pillow pile somewhere.
“Let’s go in the back, then.” He gestured for the other bun to follow. “No imps, though. Don’t want fur gettin’ into the mix.”
“Oh, I understand!”
Fleur instructed her imps to stay in the main store section and they happily went to cozy up in the pillow pile, both cuddled up for warmth.
Once in the back, the grey bun gathered all the necessary ingredients on a small table while Fleur waited, eager to learn.
“Dango’s real easy. Only three ingredients.” Dan explained, pointing at each ingredient. “Silken tofu, rice flour, sugar. Mix ‘em together, shape ‘em, boil ‘em. And it’s done.” Without waiting for Fleur’s response, he asked, “What’s ya favorite dango flavor?”
“Oh, um, I like matcha and hanami dango.” She responded, quickly writing down the ingredients and instructions in her little notepad.
“Let’s make hanami today, then. Spring’s still far away, it would be a great reminder of its warmth.” Dan reached for some neatly organized powders and took out a green and pink one labeled ‘matcha’ and ‘strawberry’.
“That would be wonderful!”
