Manyoken, a long-established ekiben (station bento) brand from Chiba Prefecture, has launched a new candy product inspired by "Buta-san" — the beloved pig character that appears on the packaging of their popular Pork Cutlet Bento. "Buta-san no Ame" (Buta-san's Candy) went on sale on April 6, 2026 (Monday) at the Manyoken Peliere Chiba Ekinaka store (3F).
The candy features the charming, slightly surreal expression of "Buta-san" alongside a refreshing lemon flavor that carries a touch of nostalgic warmth. It makes for a fun companion to a station bento, or a thoughtful souvenir from the journey.
Background: From Bento Packaging to Candy
The Pork Cutlet Bento is one of Manyoken's flagship ekiben products, beloved by customers for many years. The "Buta-san" pig character on its packaging — dressed as a cook holding a frying pan — has long been a symbol of the bento. "Buta-san no Ame" was developed with the hope of giving customers an even more enjoyable time with their station bento, and of introducing the Pork Cutlet Bento's "Buta-san" to a wider audience.
Product Features
Kintaro Candy with Buta-san's Face
Made using the Kintaro candy technique, each piece reveals a slightly different expression of "Buta-san," making every candy unique. Part of the fun is discovering which expression appears as you eat each piece.
Refreshing Lemon Flavor
The candy is lightly sweetened with a gently spreading lemon flavor. The acidity is kept mild, making it easy to enjoy for both children and adults alike. It also works well as a palate cleanser after eating the Pork Cutlet Bento.
Thoughtfully Crafted Packaging
The packaging material was carefully selected to evoke the nostalgic feel of the Pork Cutlet Bento, which has been a Chiba staple since the Showa era. The wrapping has a warm, washi paper-like texture.
About Manyoken's Pork Cutlet Bento
The Pork Cutlet Bento is Manyoken's signature ekiben, created with the idea of offering students and office workers passing through Chiba Station an affordable, satisfying meal. Since its launch in the 1950s, it has been loved for more than half a century — in the late 1960s, it was sold for just 100 yen.
The bento features pork loin cutlets soaked in a special sauce with additional sauce served on top, delivering a comforting and familiar taste that has been cherished across generations.
In the "Ekiben Aji no Jin 2025" event organized by JR East, the standard packaging design of the Pork Cutlet Bento received the "Kakegami (Wrapper) Award."
Product Details
| Product Name | Buta-san no Ame (Buta-san's Candy) |
| Price | ¥324 (tax included) |
| Contents | 8 pieces |
| Flavor | Lemon |
| Release Date | April 6, 2026 (Monday) |
| Available At | Manyoken Peliere Chiba Ekinaka Store (3F), inside JR Chiba Station |
