In Japan, the savory aroma of Oden(御田) wafting through the cool air is like the smell of roasting chestnuts on the streets of New York (or their modern candied nut equivalent). It's a the quintessential winter comfort food and can even be found in convenience stores and yatai (street stalls) around Japan during the cooler months of the year. Oden was originally a dish made by spreading sweet miso on top of konnyaku(a firm jelly made from yam starch) and grilling it. If this sounds familiar, that's because this preparation still exists, and is now known as Dengaku (as in...