I usually search for souvenirs at roadside stations and expressway service and parking areas, but this assortment was given to me as a gift.
It was delicious and is one of Hiroshima’s classic souvenirs, so I wanted to introduce it here.
This is undoubtedly a product that appears in rankings of Hiroshima’s most popular souvenirs, yet surprisingly I had never tried it before.
I often receive souvenirs from business contacts, but this was the first one I had been given from Hiroshima.
Nishiki Momiji: Five-Flavor Momiji Manju Assortment (Nishikido)
The box is small enough to sit comfortably in the palm of a hand and has its own carrying handle.
Its colorful maple-leaf pattern makes it very charming.
The best-before period is printed on the side: 14 days from manufacture.
The calories for each of the five varieties of momiji manju are listed here.
The five fillings are smooth red bean paste, chunky red bean paste, chocolate, cheese cream, and mochi.
Each variety also has a different individual wrapper.
If you are lucky enough to keep the box to yourself, you can enjoy all five flavors.
If you buy it as a souvenir to hand out, however, different people will naturally receive different flavors.
My impressions after trying the Nishiki Momiji five-flavor assortment
Now, let’s eat.
The traditional maple-leaf shape makes me sit up just a little straighter.
The classic smooth red bean variety has wonderfully moist cake.
Its restrained sweetness makes it easy to eat, and the filling inside is astonishingly smooth and delicious.
I grew up in Asakusa, a traditional Tokyo neighborhood, and have eaten a fair number of Japanese sweets, yet I cannot remember another manju with quite this mouthfeel.
The cheese-cream variety is unusual for momiji manju. Its rich filling makes it taste almost like a Western confection.
The outer cake is unmistakably traditional momiji manju, so the combination feels surprising, yet the two elements match beautifully.
The phrase “momiji manju” may sound like an old-fashioned sweet for older people, but this flavor should also delight younger recipients.
Even the design balances past and present, feeling contemporary while preserving a clear sense of tradition.
On my next business trip to Hiroshima, I would like to explore even more varieties of momiji manju.
Thank you for the meal!
Nishiki Momiji Manju Five-Flavor Assortment Product Info, Expiration Date, Manufacturer
| Product Name | Nishiki Momiji Manju Five-Flavor Assortment |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer / Seller | Nishikido Co., Ltd. |
| Address | 1-13-23 Hikarimachi, Higashi-ku, Hiroshima, Japan |
| Expiration Date | 14 days from production |
| Place of Purchase | Received as a gift; reportedly purchased at a train station |
| Price | - |