Karinto Manju is a distinctive Japanese confection from Yamagata Prefecture. It is made by wrapping sweet red bean paste in dough flavored with black sugar and perilla seeds (jūnen), then deep-frying the manju to create a crisp, aromatic exterior.
Its unusual combination of traditional manju and a crispy fried coating has attracted attention through local television programs and other media, making it one of Yamagata’s popular modern Japanese sweets.
The dough is made with black sugar and perilla seeds and wrapped around mildly sweet smooth red bean paste. The manju is then deep-fried using a special method, giving the outside a crisp, fragrant texture reminiscent of traditional Japanese karinto sweets.
The contrast between the crunchy exterior and soft bean-paste filling makes each bite particularly enjoyable.
Meiyu’s Karinto Manju is finished using the company’s own distinctive process. After the manju is fried, a sweet syrup is added and the confection is further processed to create its characteristic finish.
In addition to its aromatic, karinto-like fragrance, the sweet has a lively crunchy and crispy texture that sets it apart from ordinary manju.
Deep-frying a manju filled with smooth red bean paste creates a flavor and texture quite different from that of conventional steamed manju. The result brings together the rich aroma of black sugar and perilla seeds, the crispness of the fried dough, and the gentle sweetness of the red bean paste.
Karinto Manju is a distinctive Yamagata confection that offers visitors a fun and flavorful twist on traditional Japanese sweets.