Neriya Banana

Traditional banana wafer, soon to celebrate its 100th birthday.

Neriya Confectionery locates in Odate City, Akita Prefecture, is a long-established confectionery established in 1927.  Their signature confectionary, “Neriya Banana” has long been loved in local.

“Neriya Banana” is a monaka, banana bean jam filled wafer.  Such banana monaka is a popular sweet in Aomori and Akita.  Banana was very expensive fruit in the early Showa period so that banana confectionery was invented to enable many people to taste it reasonable and enjoyable.

The confection name is engarved on the banana-shaped wafer dough, and looks unique.

The other  “Banana Monaka” I have had before, made by Kasai Seika, includes a light white bean paste with banana flavor.  This Neriya Banana is much more moist than the other.

The white bean paste has a strong banana flavor, and the texture is similar to banana itself.   The monaka is quite filling and satisfying.