1.
manju, steamed bun with sweet filling
A traditional Japanese confection consisting of a wheat or rice flour outer layer filled with sweet bean paste (anko).
お土産に温泉饅頭を買いました。
I bought onsen manju as a souvenir.
温かい饅頭はおいしい。
Warm manju is delicious.
紅白饅頭は祝いの席で配られます。
Red and white manju are distributed at celebrations.
饅頭の中には甘い餡子が入っていて、お茶によく合います。
Manju is filled with sweet red bean paste and goes well with tea.
旅行に行くたびに、その土地の名物饅頭を買うのが楽しみです。
Every time I travel, I enjoy buying the local specialty manju.
饅頭 is a classic Japanese sweet with Chinese origins.
Types:
- 温泉饅頭 (hot spring manju) - brown, common souvenir
- 紅白饅頭 (red and white) - for celebrations
- 薄皮饅頭 (thin-skinned)
- 酒饅頭 (sake-flavored dough)
- 葛饅頭 (kudzu starch wrapper)
Filling:
- Usually 餡子 (sweet bean paste)
- こし餡 (smooth) or 粒餡 (chunky)
Cultural significance:
- Popular souvenir item (お土産)
- Given at weddings, celebrations (紅白)
- Associated with Buddhist temples (original purpose)
Phrases:
- 「饅頭怖い」- from a famous rakugo story