FAQ
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A: Momiji means maple leaf and manju is a type of traditional Japanese confection (wagashi) made by creating a flour-based batter and filling it with a sweet ingredient before baking it. As the maple tree is the prefectural tree and flower of Hiroshima, these maple leaf-shaped momiji manjus have become symbolic of Hiroshima. Our version features a sweet castella* cake batter filled with red bean paste (an).
*Castella: A fluffy and moist cake made with flour, sugar, and eggs. This cake was introduced to Japan by Portuguese merchants in the 16th century.
*Castella: A fluffy and moist cake made with flour, sugar, and eggs. This cake was introduced to Japan by Portuguese merchants in the 16th century.
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A: An is essential in the world of Japanese confections. Traditionally, it refers to red bean paste which is made by simmering azuki red beans with sugar to make a jam or paste. Shiro-an, or white bean jam, uses kidney beans instead of azuki to produce a white an paste (shiro is Japanese for white). There are many other types of similar jams and pastes, including imo-an, made by using sweet potatoes instead of azuki beans, and kuri-an, made using chestnuts. Bean jams have an elegant sweetness and earthy flavor that pairs perfectly with green tea, black tea, and coffee.
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A: Our standard momiji manju is a small castella cake* filled with red bean paste. Nama-momiji has rice flour in the batter, creating a tender and chewy mochi-like texture. Nama-momiji is also gluten free!
*Castella: A fluffy and moist cake made with flour, sugar, and eggs. This cake was introduced to Japan by Portuguese merchants in the 16th century.
*Castella: A fluffy and moist cake made with flour, sugar, and eggs. This cake was introduced to Japan by Portuguese merchants in the 16th century.
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A: Momiji manju is best enjoyed freshly baked: try toasting them in a toaster oven to recreate the toasty, fresh-baked flavor of the momiji manju. In the summer, we recommend chilling them in the fridge. You can even enjoy them frozen or deep fried for a crispy and delicious snack.
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A: As they are made with eggs, we recommend that vegetarians and vegans check the ingredient list before purchasing. Momiji Manju Light is made without the eight major allergens (as per Japanese government guidelines: eggs, wheat, milk, buckwheat, peanuts, walnuts, shrimp, crab), making it the perfect vegan or vegetarian option. We are currently working on a halal option.
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A: At our locations, you can purchase a single momiji manju or a whole box! While package sizes differ depending on the product, we sell packages containing 5, 6, 10, 12, 18, 24, 30, and 36 momiji manju. Please note that not all locations have all these sizes available.
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A: Visit any of the 16 Nishikido locations in the prefecture, including Hiroshima Airport, JR Hiroshima Station, Hiroshima Bus Center, and Miyajima. You can also find our products at Hiroshima tourist destinations and souvenir shops.
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A: We currently export momiji manju to Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, and the US, in limited amounts and available at select stores only. For more details, please contact us via email (see below for contact information).
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A: While it depends on the product, they are generally best enjoyed within ten days of purchase.
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A: They can be kept at room temperature (avoid direct sunlight or high temperature, high humidity environments). We don’t recommend freezing them as it may affect their flavor and texture.
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A: Yes! You can find the online shop here (Japanese).
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A: No, our store locations and online shop do not provide international shipping options.
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A: Yes! We accept the following credit cards: Visa, JCB, Mastercard, American Express, Diner’s Club, and Discover.
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A: Feel free to send us an email here and we will get back to you in 2-3 business days.
