Monday, 27 February 2012

• Agemanju Asakusa Kokonoe

  
  

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  Agemanju Asakusa Kokonoe
  

  2-3-1 ，Asakusa，
  Taito-ku, Tokyo,
  Japan 111-0032
  (0081) 338419386
  http://www.agemanju.jp/
  shop?lang=en
  , http://www.asakusa-nakamise.jp/
  shop-7/kokonoe/e-index.html
  Price: $
  Ambiance: Casual
  Food: 5/5
  Service: 4/5
  Tummy Points: 4.5/5
  Notes: Agemanju 120 Yen,
  Maccha Agemanju
  (Green Tea) 170 Yen,
  Goma Agemanju
  (Sesame) 140 Yen
   

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  Nakamisedori Street in Asakusa, Tokyo, Japan is filled with snacks galore and gift shops.  The street entrance to the street is protected by the Kaminarimon (Thunder) Gate, first built in 942 but relocated to this location in 1635.  The giant lantern featured in many people's photos says Kaminarimon while the back writes its official name Furaijinmon.  From the gate, you can see Senso-Ji Temple at the end of the street.  Built in 645, it is Tokyo's oldest temple and focus of Tokyo's Shinto festival.

  As you walk closer to Senso-Ji Temple, you'll see a snack store on your right that you could easily skip passed.  But if you do miss it, you're missing my favorite snack in all of Japan!

  Agemanju Asakusa Kokonoe serves manju which are deep fried mochi stuffed with Azuki bean paste.  They come in 3 flavors: red bean, green tea, and sesame.  The best flavor is the green tea one.

  The outside is crispy and light.  It's like a tempura bun with a soft hot bean paste inside.  If you're lucky you will see the cooks drop them into their wok of oil and flipping them over to fry both sides.  It takes them a few minutes for them to be ready for consumption.  This is the best time to buy one and trumps any flavor preference.

  

  Although agemanju don't really sound like much, I went there twice on my trip to Japan and ate 5 of them on one visit.  I highly recommend visiting Asakusa and dropping by to get an agemanju.  Actually, why just get one?  Get half a dozen!

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