Japanese Festival Food: Yaki Manju

One of the most distinctive regional foods you may encounter at Japanese festivals is yaki manju. A specialty of Gunma Prefecture, this traditional snack consists of soft steamed buns threaded onto bamboo skewers, brushed with a sweet and savory miso-based sauce, and grilled until lightly browned.

Unlike many Japanese buns, traditional yaki manju is usually not filled with red bean paste. Instead, the focus is on the fluffy texture of the bread and the rich flavor of the glaze. As the buns cook over the grill, the sauce caramelizes slightly. It is often served fresh from the grill while still warm.

Although less common nationwide than festival favourites such as yakitori or takoyaki, you can sometimes pick up yaki manju at festivals in Saitama. I took the photo in this post at a Cherry Blossom Festival in Kitamoto City.