Momiji Manju

Manjû are Japanese pastries derived from mochi, other well-known confectioneries of Japanese cuisine.

A manjû is made of a dough including flour, water, sugar and starch, filled with anko red bean paste which comes from azuki beans that are either whole (tsubuan) or blended (koshian). They are cooked but served cold, usually at teatime. Manjû have been a staple sweet since the 14th century in Japan.

There are many kinds of manjû, with various flavors and fillings such as custard cream, chocolate, lime and one of the most famous aside the anko filling is the matcha tea flavor. The one introduced here is the momiji 🍁 manjû: a regional variation created in Miyajima and shaped in a maple leaf ("momiji"). The ingredients of this sponge-cake like delicacy include eggs.

Note that it is not recommended to eat them while walking in the island as it will attract the nosy greedy shika deer!

Momiji manju gift boxes (omiyage) are on sale on Miyajima Island, that can be kept about a dozen days and will certainly delight the people they will be gifted to. They have a very specific and local taste, unknown outside of Japan, and all food lovers can discover the momiji manju through our pictures before enjoying them one day.