Nagasaki Prefecture is a region where a unique "Wakaran culture" has taken root after having contact with China and the West.

There are many unique local delicacies, among which "Kakuni Manju" is a popular snack to try while walking around and a souvenir.

This time, we will introduce you to the popular Nagasaki specialty "Kakuni Manju," revealing its characteristics, history, and appeal.

What are Nagasaki's Kakuni Manju?

Nagasaki Prefecture's Kakuni Manju is a dish that you'll want to bite into, with braised pork sandwiched between two folded pieces of dough.

You can enjoy the exquisite combination of the slightly sweet manju dough and the tender, melt-in-your-mouth braised pork. It is popular for its ease of eating, as it can be easily purchased at Chinatown and specialty shops, and is also available for takeout. It is also often eaten as a light meal or snack.

The origin and history of Kakuni Manju

The history of Kakuni Manju is long, dating back to the Edo period.
At the time, when Japan was in a state of national isolation, "Takubuku ryori" was created to entertain people who visited Dejima, the only trading port in Japan.

It was a style of meal where several people gathered around a vermilion-lacquered round table, sharing dishes from large platters, creating a friendly and sociable atmosphere. One of the dishes, "Tonpo Pork," is made into "Kakuni Manju," a tasty, easy-to-eat version.

It is also said that the roots of kakuni manju can be found in Nagasaki Chinese course meals. It is believed that the dish originated from the fact that Dongpo pork and manju were served on separate plates, with the meat sandwiched between the manju. These unique Nagasaki dishes are known as "Wakaran gourmet," a combination of Japanese, Western, and Chinese influences.

How to make Kakuni Manju

Kakuni manju are characterized by their softly simmered pork cubes and fluffy dough. The ingredients for the manju dough include flour, sugar, salt, lukewarm water, oil, and leavening powder. Some shops even use homemade lard instead of oil. The ingredients are put into a bowl and kneaded into a dough. Once it comes together, it is cut into pieces, rolled out into an oval shape with a rolling pin, folded in half, and steamed.

To make braised pork, first boil pork belly with onions, ginger, sake, etc., then cut it into pieces when it is soft, and simmer with sugar, soy sauce, mirin, etc. After simmering until the broth thickens, the pork is sandwiched between steamed bun dough and it is complete. It takes time to make, but the combination of the flavorful braised pork and the gently enveloping dough is outstanding.

The deliciousness and appeal of Kakuni Manju

The great appeal of the Kakuni Manju is that it is freshly steamed, made with carefully selected seasonings and ingredients, and can be eaten straight away in the store.

They also have a dish that recreates the taste of homemade food, using a secret sauce that has been added to since the store opened and no preservatives or chemical seasonings. The store that first sold kakuni manju in Nagasaki uses carefully selected ingredients, searching all over the world for pork that is suitable for kakuni.

The combination of the soft, melt-in-your-mouth stew and the gentle texture of the manju is irresistible. We recommend trying them all and comparing them, so be sure to give them a try.

Recommended sightseeing spots in Nagasaki Prefecture

From here, we will introduce some recommended tourist spots in Nagasaki.

Dutch Slope

Dutch Slope is located in the Higashiyamate area of Nagasaki City.

With its exotic Western-style buildings and distinctive cobblestone-paved slopes, as you walk up you can see glimpses of the fusion of Japanese and Western culture everywhere.

Nearby, there is Higashiyamate 12-ban-kan, an early Western-style building, and many other hills with a nice atmosphere, making it a great place to stroll around town. The Dutch Slope refers to the slopes in the area, and the most famous are Suigakuin Shita no Saka, Katsusui Saka, and Joukoin Maeno Saka.

Dejima (Remains of the Dejima Dutch Trading Post)

The nationally designated site of the Dutch Trading Post on Dejima is an artificial island constructed by order of the Tokugawa Shogunate.

The townscape and life during the isolation period in the early 19th century have been recreated. You can experience the atmosphere as if you have traveled back in time to the Edo period, and you can also learn about what it was like at the time in the museum.

The "Dejima Omotemon Bridge" that spans the former site of the Dejima Dutch Trading Post is a symbolic presence that connects the town of Edo with the former site of the Dejima Dutch Trading Post. During the period of national isolation, there was only one bridge connecting Dejima. It will be even more enjoyable if you imagine what it was like back then.

We also recommend dining at Dejima Wharf, which is a 3-minute walk from Dejima.

Nagasaki Waterfront Park

Nagasaki Waterfront Forest Park, which opened in March 2004, is a place of relaxation for local residents, with a view of Nagasaki Port right in front of the lawn.

A canal runs through the park, and there is also a promenade where you can take a leisurely stroll. The open space filled with greenery is lovely during the day, but we especially recommend visiting after dusk. The lights of the streetscape turn the surrounding area into a romantic atmosphere.

Other highlights include the Venus Wing Bridge at the entrance to Nagasaki Port, Mount Inasa, famous for its night view, and the illuminated Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Nagasaki Shipyard.

Access to Nagasaki

From here, we will introduce how to get to Nagasaki. If you are going from Tokyo, we recommend traveling by plane. It takes about two hours from Narita Airport to Nagasaki Airport, and from there it is about a 40-minute bus ride.

If you are coming from Osaka, take a plane from Itami Airport and it will take about 1 hour and 20 minutes to get to Nagasaki Airport. You can also get to Nagasaki Station by bus. If you are taking the Shinkansen, take the Sanyo Shinkansen from Shin-Osaka to Hakata Station, then take the Nishi Kyushu Shinkansen to Nagasaki Station, which takes about 4 hours. If you are taking a plane, you will have to go through the boarding procedures, so make sure you plan your trip with plenty of time.

Location of Nagasaki Prefecture

summary

This time we introduced "Kakuni Manju" from Nagasaki Prefecture.

The sweet and spicy braised pork and fluffy buns combine to create a dish that can only be found in Nagasaki. It is available at an affordable price, so why not try it as a souvenir of your trip to Nagasaki?

Be sure to try it while it's still hot in store!

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