Okamedo, a long-established Japanese confectionery shop founded in 1950 and headquartered in Toyohashi, Aichi Prefecture, will begin serving a new dine-in menu item, "Steamer-Finished Fluffy Oni Manju," at Okamedo Kominka Cafe (お亀堂 古民家カフェ, a cafe in a traditional Japanese house) from October 1, 2026 (Thursday). The dish takes oni manju, a regional sweet of Aichi, steams it in a bamboo steamer, and serves it with five toppings.
Diners wait about 3 minutes, guided by an hourglass, and then add butter, maple syrup, chocolate, vanilla ice cream, and chunky sweet red bean paste (tsubuan) as they like. The flavors range from Japanese to Western. It is a hands-on way to enjoy a traditional local sweet: steam it yourself and finish it to your own taste, with the waiting time part of the experience.
Open the Steamer Lid and the Enjoyment Begins
The oni manju is placed in a bamboo steamer and steamed for about 3 minutes, using the hourglass as a guide.
When the lid comes off, white steam rises together with the sweet aroma of sweet potato. Steaming makes the dough even chewier and the diced sweet potato even fluffier. The wait while it heats up in the steamer, the steam released when the lid is lifted, and the aroma that spreads in front of you all engage the senses before the first bite, which is what makes this menu item special at a traditional-house cafe.
Five Toppings, From Japanese to Western
Five toppings, each with a different character, go with the freshly steamed oni manju.
- Butter: The mild saltiness brings out the gentle sweetness of the sweet potato.
- Maple syrup: A rich aroma and mellow sweetness spread through each bite.
- Chocolate: It layers a deep, rich flavor over the sweetness of the sweet potato.
- Vanilla ice cream: The warm oni manju and the cold ice cream melt together.
- Tsubuan (chunky sweet red bean paste): A flavor only a Japanese confectionery shop can offer, letting diners enjoy the gentle sweetness of adzuki beans and sweet potato together.
Start with nothing added to taste the oni manju as it is, then add the five toppings little by little to enjoy the change in flavor.
Combine Two Toppings for Even More Flavor
Each topping can be enjoyed on its own, and combining two is also recommended.
The Classic: Butter and Maple Syrup
The saltiness of the butter and the rich aroma of the maple syrup bring out the sweetness of the sweet potato.
An Aichi Specialty: An-Butter
Chunky sweet red bean paste layered with butter gives a taste that feels very much like Aichi. It also goes well with warm oni manju.
A Guilty Pleasure: Chocolate and Vanilla Ice Cream
Rich chocolate and cold vanilla ice cream melt together over the freshly steamed oni manju.
The Luxurious Pick: Chunky Sweet Red Bean Paste and Vanilla Ice Cream
The flavor of adzuki beans and mellow vanilla ice cream are enjoyed together in a blend of Japanese and Western styles.
There is no set way to eat it. Diners can combine toppings freely to find their own favorite.
Passing an Aichi Regional Sweet On to the Next Generation
Oni manju is a regional sweet made by mixing diced sweet potato into dough and steaming it. It has long been enjoyed as a home snack, mainly in Aichi Prefecture.
Okamedo wanted younger generations to enjoy this simple, nostalgic flavor as well, so it added a freshly steamed presentation and Western-style toppings. The steam that people will want to capture in photos and videos, the contrast between warm oni manju and cold ice cream, and the fun of choosing and combining toppings all help present this regional sweet as something that goes beyond nostalgia: a new Japanese confectionery experience for all generations.
How to Eat It
- Steam the oni manju in the bamboo steamer for about 3 minutes, using the hourglass as a guide.
- Open the lid and use the tongs to move the oni manju onto a plate.
- Cut it into bite-size pieces and add your favorite toppings.
Please note that the steamer and pot become very hot. Be careful not to touch them.
Comment From Okamedo's President
"Oni manju is a simple, warm regional sweet that has long been loved in Aichi. We wanted to bring its appeal to younger generations, so we added the freshly steamed taste and the fun of choosing toppings.
The steam and aroma when you lift the steamer lid are an important part of this menu item, too. We hope you will compare flavors with family and friends and find your own favorite combination."
Menu Details
- Menu name: Steamer-Finished Fluffy Oni Manju (蒸籠仕上げのホクホク鬼まんじゅう)
- Available from: October 1, 2026 (Thursday)
- Price: ¥1,700 (tax included)
- Where: Okamedo Kominka Cafe (お亀堂 古民家カフェ)
- Contents: Steamer-finished oni manju, butter, maple syrup, chocolate, vanilla ice cream, and chunky sweet red bean paste
- Serving style: Dine-in
- Note: Quantities may be limited depending on circumstances. Please understand if the item is sold out.
