When visiting Nakamise Street in Asakusa, you can’t miss the historic Kimuraya Honten! The shop is best known for its ningyo-yaki shaped like famous Asakusa landmarks. They’re very cute and filled with red bean paste, kind of like a Japanese, shaped version of a red bean egg cake.
When I passed by, I saw quite a few people lined up to buy them. The lively crowd made me stop and join everyone else in trying some.
The cake had a light egg aroma, and the texture was soft and fluffy, like a slightly denser traditional egg cake. The red bean filling was smooth and delicate, and together with the cake, it had the flavor of a Japanese wagashi sweet.
However, the red bean filling was still a little too sweet for me. People who enjoy Japanese sweets would probably really like it.
When visiting Asakusa, besides seeing Kaminarimon and the lively streetscape of Nakamise Street, it’s also worth buying some to experience this traditional local treat. For me, trying it once made for a memorable experience, but I’m not that likely to buy it again!
