Karukan Manju (Toraya)

Traditional confectionary from the Satsuma region, simple and sweet

Tokushige Seika Toraya who locates  in Kirishima City, Kagoshima Prefecture, is a long-established confectionery shop, established in 1884. They make a variety of confections including “Karukan”,  a famous traditional Kagoshima confectionery.

“Karukan” is a traditional sweet made from yams, and has been popular for long time in Kagoshima and the other parts of Kyushu. Many local confectioners make “karukan manju”, sweet bun, and each store has its own unique flavor, so it is fun to compare them.

Karukan-manju is round shape and many of them are filled with Ogura-an (sweet bean paste). It is firm and moist spongy texture.

It is striking to see the contrast of the filling, koshi-an(strained bean paste) and pure white karukan dough.

Yams and eggs give the confectionary light & natural sweetness. It is delicious and never get tired of the primitive traditional confectionary.