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The other day I walked past Korakudo (which I've written about here, and here) and had to take another look at their sign outside.It said "karinto manju"...Karinto is a sweet deep fried treat made from flour and sugar. Manju is a steamed bun filled with sweet bean paste.
I usually don't go walking with money (because I'll buy stuff (I don't need)), but wanting to try this I brought some money with me and picked some up. 450 yen (about US$4.50) for 5.
These are brilliant. The dough is made with kokuto (black sugar) and the inside is filled with sweet bean paste.
The instructions say that they are best on the day you buy them, but if for some reason you can't finish them and need to put them in the refridge, just heat them up in the toaster to crisp and warm them up.
The sweetness from the karinto kind of overpowers the sweet bean paste but these are crunchy and addicting....I need some tea.On the second day, I didn't warm them up and ate them as is. They were still quite crisp though the kokuto (black sugar) flavor wasn't as strong.
On Saturday, it was sunny and it was nice to see so many people walking about and checking out the sakura. I shot this short video on a side street where there weren't too many people.
22 comments:
I've never seen karinto manju! I must remember to look for some next time. Hopefully, next time is next year's cherry blossom season since we couldn't make it there this year.
I don't have much of a sweet tooth but I always thought manju made with brown sugar is great!
OMG Kat, that looks so ono, and as always you are so descriptive, I want some now! Love our video too.
Wow! Talk about nostalgia, I haven't had karinto since I was a wee tot.
I didn't know there was a manju version of it... I'm pretty sure they didn't exist when/where I grew up. Definitely calls for tea!
Hope you get to try some next year Rick :)
I think I prefer this fried version to the steamed Dennis :)
Thanks Jalna, see you should've come to Japan ;)
I'm pretty sure this is a new version Alesa, karinto is so sweet on its own, tea is definitely in order :)
Take care everyone!
Kat
At first glance I thought that was a box of mushrooms. Nope, they're something even better. I love sweet bean paste.
I wish I had the funds to visit Japan. I'd love to see the sakura trees in person.
A visit during sakura season is definitely something to see Pocky, hope you get a chance soon :)
Take care.
Kat
Looks delicious and I love the cherry blossoms on your video too. ;-)
Thanks Debinhawaii :)
Take care.
Kat
What a coincidence! I had karinto manju for the first time when I was in Tochigi, just before I left Japan. The shop my friend got them from calls them kariman. I loved them, but I love everything karinto (and kokuto!)!
They're partially fried, my friend said (which is probably another reason I liked them so much!). If you're interested in reading more about them, this is the website of the wagashi shop in Ujiie that makes them http://www.kourindo.jp/topics/05.html . I get the impression they are claiming to have created it, but my reading skills are. . . ummmm. . . poor. :-)
That is a coincidence! They look softer towards the center Rona, but relatively the same. I wonder who had this on the market first??
Take care.
Kat
Hey Kat - That looks delish.... even though I don't have a sweet tooth, I still want to try that.
I'm glad I enticed you with this Kirk, I hope you get to try some soon :)
Take care.
Kat
Karinto manju sounds and looks perfect with tea. Those would sell like hotcakes in Hawaii!
Rowena, They would probably be good at carnivals or craft fairs :)
Take care.
Kat
Mmmm-manju! pretty clip too.
Thanks PB :)
Take care.
Kat
oh wow, you have a wonderful blog! I'm happy to find it in the www :D Thanks for sharing all these delicious photos and information about japanese food! I love it! <3
Thanks Token :)
And thanks for stopping by.
Take care.
Kat
Was in Japan from October 7 for a month and had some of these...sooo yummy! And was in Nara where a stall was selling still warm, fresh mochi, best mochi I had - and i had a lot!
PS thanks for a great blog! Wish I'd seen it before I went to Japan :)
Glad you had a nice time in Japan Julie! Thanks for commenting :)
Take care.
Kat
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