Kikusui-an “Kikufuku Assorted 4 Flavors”

Kikusui-an is a brand created by Ocha no Igeta, a tea company founded in 1920 that manufactures and sells tea products. Built around the concept of “tea you can eat,” it offers Japanese and Western sweets as well as dining spots where you can enjoy desserts.

One of Kikusui-an’s top recommendations is Kikufuku, a cream-filled daifuku. First introduced in 1998, it is now a popular treat known as a famous Sendai confection. Inside the soft, pillowy mochi, smooth bean paste and rich cream are wrapped in perfect balance, creating a comforting, happy bite. It comes in four flavors: fragrant matcha, gently sweet fresh cream, zunda with a pleasing texture, and roasted hojicha with a toasty aroma.

Great care also goes into the ingredients. The matcha uses high-quality Uji matcha from Kyoto, carefully ground with a stone mill. The zunda filling is made by mashing seasonal edamame into a gently sweet bean paste. For the mochi, Miyagi-grown Miyakogane glutinous rice is carefully pounded, while the smooth red bean paste is slowly cooked from carefully selected azuki beans.

It is sold frozen, so let it thaw naturally before eating. It is also said to be delicious when partially thawed.