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There is a tiny shop near our station called Kotobukiya, which opened last year.I have been wondering how their sweets were and finally stopped to get some.
While googling around for info, I noticed that some people call these "koto-man" which apparently is short for "kotobukiya manju".
From a far, they look like tiny dorayaki, which are like slightly sweetened pancakes sandwiching sweet bean paste, but when you eat them, you will realize they are more like manju, with a denser pancake on the outside sealing the filling inside.Apparently, this koto-man was all the rage during the mid-Showa period (about 1955) in Ikeda, selling almost 5000 a day! The original shop in Ikeda closed down at the end of the Showa period because the maker wanted to retire and had no one to take over his business.
I'm not sure if this Kotobukiya is of the same family, but it does seem like it.
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The fillings at Kotobukiya change with the seasons. At this shop, they had about 8 different types. I was hoping to get some filled with kuri (chestnut) and satsumaimo (sweet potato), but since they only had satsumaimo 160 yen (about US$1.60), I also got matcha (green tea)...150 yen (about US$1.50).These koto-man are filled generously and have just the right amount of sweetness to them. Great with coffee or green tea...I'll be back.
Kotobukiya
1-3-8 Ishibashi
Ikeda, Osaka
Phone: 072.763.4380
*a minutes walk from the Hankyu Ishibashi West exit
UPDATE:2012, this shop is no longer here
15 comments:
Yum! I would like one with a cup of tea right now.
C'mon over Debinhawaii :)
Take care.
Kat
Looks like just my kind of snack!
They look like tiny bit of mm mmm mmmmmm!
May have a visitor in the 'hood soon Kat:)
TK
see you soon TK!
Take care.
Kat
Thanks Jalna :) these are perfect for a snack!
Take care.
Kat
Now that I've had something to eat, seeing this image again is much easier to handle. I wish British Airways flew to Osaka! I'm getting zip in the results.
They do fly to Tokyo, Rowena, from there you may have to fly JAL in order to get to Osaka, or buy the Rail pass to use the trains/bullet trains for free!
Take care.
Kat
Ohhh my goodness!! How I wish I could try this place! One day I will get to Japan...one day...
See you soon Cakespy :)
Take care.
Kat
Interesting! Last year our Kotobukiya in the Boston area closed, a japanese grocery store, the owner decided to retire. Did he go back to Japan and open this? Or borrow the name? I miss that store so much as there was nothing else here like it. I really like your blog. chrisq
I don't think the shop you are talk about are related Chrisq, there are many stores/shops with similar names around Japan, but without any ties. It is too bad that your Kotobukiya closed down, hopefully another shop will open up nearby.
Take care.
Kat
Aww that's perfect with hot cappuccino!!
Hey Kat - I'm wondering just ghow much airfare is to Japan right now??? ;o)
will have to try that combo Dhanggit :)
the yen/dollar exchange rate isn't too good Kirk, I think it may be more expensive now.
Take care you two.
Kat
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