"Entrance Senbei" has been making only one type of soy sauce-flavored crispy rice cracker for a long time, and is known as the model for Miyoshi from the manga "Oishinbo". The shop in Asakusa Sushiyadori closed down 4 years ago, but I heard that a similar shop with a similar name is located in Asakusa Matsuya. I decided to visit the shop, "Iriyama Senbei Seizosho," while returning an old bill at Senso-ji Temple. The shop is located on the first floor of Matsuya, near the north entrance. According to the explanation provided by Matsuya Asakusa, the two shops are different, with Iriyama Senbei Seizosho making the dough for Entrance Senbei. The texture of the dough is said to be similar, and they wanted to preserve the traditional taste of Asakusa. In addition to the soy sauce-flavored rice crackers, they also sold deep-fried senbei that they obtained in Mukojima's geisha district, but I decided to purchase the hand-baked rice crackers, 5 pieces for 702 yen. Although it has been almost 5 years since I last tasted it, my first impression was that it was quite similar. The firm texture of the sun-dried dough, the flavor and sweetness of the rice, and the simple seasoning of soy sauce without sweetness were all reminiscent of the original taste. The soy sauce flavor is not too strong, allowing the flavor of the baked dough to shine through, which is nice. In the future, there may be old and famous shops that are forced to close down due to various circumstances, but Matsuya's efforts to preserve the taste of such shops could be a good reference. I heard that there is another shop in Katsushika-ku that continues to pass down the taste of Iriyama Senbei, so I would like to visit that shop as well."

This shop sells rice crackers made with the same rice as the charcoal-grilled sun-dried rice crackers that used to be in Asakusa. It was a very famous shop where you had to line up early in the morning to buy them. The first time you eat them, you may feel a little unsatisfied, but as you eat them 2 or 3 times, they start to taste more and more delicious. The charcoal-grilled ones are unfortunately gone, but you can't go against the flow of time. The rice crackers are slightly thinner now and have a different texture from before. They also have fried rice crackers, which are highly recommended.

At the first floor of Matsuya Asakusa store, there is a corner dedicated to traditional local sweets called "Iriyama Senbei Seizosho". The hand-baked senbei (rice crackers) are made using a traditional method that has been passed down since the Meiji era, at a factory in Katsushika, Tokyo. The senbei are made with additive-free polished rice, dried in the sun, and carefully baked. I purchased some of the popular senbei from "Iriyama Senbei Seizosho" as a souvenir for a friend who loves senbei. The packaging included both hand-baked and fried senbei in boxes and pouches. The hand-baked senbei are seasoned with only raw soy sauce, giving them a nostalgic flavor of soy sauce senbei with a crispy texture. It is a perfect souvenir for senbei lovers.

I bought 5 hand-baked senbei (rice crackers) from Irizaka Senbei Manufacturing Company for 702 yen. I completely forgot the taste of Irizaka Senbei in Asakusa, but I wonder how these senbei taste. As I have mentioned in reviews of other senbei shops, the best senbei for me was from Kanda-ya in Nagareyama, which has unfortunately closed down. I am constantly searching for senbei that come close to the taste and texture of Kanda-ya's senbei. The senbei here is thicker than my preference. The thickness of Kanda-ya's senbei was similar to the senbei from my current favorite, Kagurazaka Jizouya, so the texture is closer to that. The senbei from Irizaka Senbei is about twice as thick, which affects the way the soy sauce soaks in, the texture, and even the sound when eating. Kagurazaka Jizouya's senbei makes a satisfying crunching sound when bitten, with a pleasant texture and well-soaked soy sauce flavor. However, due to its thickness, the senbei from Irizaka Senbei makes a louder, harder crunching sound and is a bit too tough, with a lighter soy sauce flavor. If they could make the senbei half as thick, I'm sure I would become a fan. But as it is now, it doesn't quite measure up to Kagurazaka Jizouya's senbei.

I heard about Inuyama Senbei at the Asakusa Matsuya on the first floor event space on Sunday morning. There were also half aprons with Inuyama Senbei, so I decided to stop by. They are selling Inuyama Senbei, but they are not using charcoal to make them, they are using gas (as shown in the third photo, which is a different store). They are currently selling them at the event space, but they are usually sold at the Edo Meika Senbei shop on the first floor. They taste good as rice crackers, but they have a shiny appearance and a dry texture... the taste of the rice doesn't change. It's a different store, but it could be a good conversation topic.

Simple flavored rice crackers. They are made using traditional methods, drying the rice crackers under the sun on straw mats. This shop is different from the "Iriyama Senbei" located on the Sushiya Street in Asakusa.

I received a souvenir that was hard, but I was happy with its firmness and deliciousness. Next time, I would like to try a different flavor!

I received a simple soy sauce rice cracker as a return gift for a memorial service from Mr. Iriyama. The firm rice cracker had a good texture and my son almost finished it all.