AI94
Upon exiting the south exit of Seibu Ikebukuro Line's Fujimidai Station and turning right, walking towards Nerima Takano-dai direction on the shopping street for less than 10 minutes, you will find a traditional Japanese confectionery shop on the right side. The shop has a simple glass exterior. It was a bit past 10 o'clock on the weekend, and the store was not crowded. Inside, there were fruit-filled daifuku displayed in the showcase in front, and dorayaki, manju, and other sweets with a longer shelf life on the left side. I purchased the following items (prices excluding tax).
Amou Ichigo Daifuku (250 yen): Upon asking for recommendations, I was suggested the fruit-filled daifuku since it was not for a gift. I chose this classic option from several varieties. Each daifuku is individually wrapped in plastic with a fruit illustration, making it easy to identify. The outer layer is made of thin mochi, surrounding a thin sweet bean paste and a juicy strawberry. The soft and sticky double-layered mochi, combined with the sweet and sour flavor of the strawberry, was delightful. The sweetness of both the mochi and sweet bean paste was balanced to enhance the strawberry's deliciousness. The texture of the strawberry was preserved well, and it was delicious. Since it is small in size, even those who are not fond of traditional Japanese sweets can enjoy it. The shelf life is 2 days in the refrigerator. Other options available were Amou Ichigo Daifuku Deluxe (300 yen, possibly with larger fruit pieces), as well as daifuku with persimmon, mandarin orange, apple, Shine Muscat grape, and blueberry (all requiring refrigeration on the day of purchase or for 2 days).
Fujimidaiko Kuridora (Kokuto An) (240 yen): The dorayaki was slightly thick, with a whole chestnut and sweet bean paste inside. The fluffy outer layer had a smooth and light texture. The chestnut was tender and well-cooked, but the aftertaste lacked a crisp finish. It was a sizable treat, providing a satisfying experience with a light mouthfeel. Besides Kokuto An, there were options with white bean paste and without chestnut, totaling 4 varieties. The shelf life is 1 week.
Handmade Manju Kimura Family's Daikon (230 yen): The package, shaped like a radish, was cute and distinctive. Inside, there were dumplings made of sweet bean paste wrapped in paper resembling leaves, along with a separate packaging of the outer layer. I decided to sandwich the sweet bean paste between the outer layers. The crispy and fragrant outer layer, wrapped in agar, contained a firm and textured sweet bean paste. Although the outer layer contained radish leaves (visible as dots on the surface), it did not affect the taste. Since the sweet bean paste is wrapped on the spot, the crispy texture and flavor of the outer layer were enjoyable. The shelf life is 3 weeks.
I appreciated the shop's unique products. Personally, the strawberry daifuku was not my favorite, but the juicy strawberry made it very delicious. I understood why the staff recommended the fruit-filled daifuku as the most popular item. The Daikon Manju from the Kimura Family also had a crispy outer layer and a satisfying texture of red bean paste, making it a recommended choice among my purchases. While the strawberry daifuku has a short shelf life, the other items have a decently long one, making them suitable as gifts. It was great to see both the product names and shelf lives displayed together. The staff provided accurate advice on which products to choose, which was helpful in decision-making. While I was in the store, customers came in sporadically to purchase the fruit daifuku, indicating the shop's popularity as a local traditional Japanese confectionery store. I would definitely like to visit again when I have the chance.