9 out of 10 Fukuoka locals recommend it！ A delicious taste that’s lasted over 50 years — “Honey Roll Manju”

▲ The “Honey Roll Manju,” which Fukuoka residents say you absolutely have to try at least once. You can even see the making process through the glass.

Text & Photos / Kiya

When it comes to must-try snacks in Fukuoka, what’s the first thing that comes to mind? If you ask the locals, nine times out of ten they’ll recommend “Honey Roll Manju.”

Located in a corner of the basement level two of Iwataya Main Building, a long-established department store in the Tenjin area, the “Honey Roll Manju” shop always has a long line of people queuing up whenever you pass by. Out of curiosity, I decided to join the queue on my third visit.

% The staff here are super friendly. The shop is always bustling with customers.

The appearance of Honey Roll Manju isn’t what most Taiwanese would typically imagine as a “manju” (steamed bun). Instead, it looks more like a Taiwanese “wheel cake.” A kind Fukuoka elderly lady in the queue enthusiastically told me that Honey Roll Manju has a long history, with at least 50 years behind it. It’s considered a Fukuoka specialty, loved by many who’ve enjoyed it since childhood, and is highly recommended by locals.

Another elderly gentleman mentioned that the branch at Iwataya is convenient due to its city-center location, making it a great choice for souvenirs — hence why you often see people buying a whole box. The main store is located near Seirin Station in Seirin Shopping Street. If you dine in at the main store, they even serve you a cup of warm tea to go with your manju, which is a truly delightful experience.

▲ Due to their commitment to making each order fresh, queues can be around 15–20 minutes during busy times.

Honey Roll Manju only comes in two flavors: red bean and green bean. They’re made fresh to order, ensuring customers get to enjoy them straight out of the oven. While waiting in line, you can peek through the transparent glass and watch the staff busy at work making the manju. But if you want to take photos, try not to capture the faces of the staff, as Japanese people are quite particular about privacy.

Each manju costs 100 yen (about NT$26). There are pictures at the counter for reference, and even if you don’t speak Japanese, you can easily point to what you want. After ordering, you’ll receive a number ticket, and the staff will call your number when your manju is ready.

▲ The counter displays a menu with images of the two flavors. Even without Japanese, you can just point.

This time I got one of each flavor. The paper bag has black labels for red bean and white labels for green bean. The manju are fairly large, with an estimated diameter of about 7–8 cm. The warmth from the freshly baked treats and the buttery aroma of the outer skin warmed up my hands, which were numb from the cold.

▲ % The labels on the bag are in black and white, making it easy to tell which is which even after a while.

Upon tasting, the filling of the Honey Roll Manju is rich and smooth. The green bean filling, complemented by the outer layer, has a slight buttery taste. At first bite, the green bean flavor is not very strong, making it suitable for those who prefer milder flavors. The red bean filling has a richer taste, with a slight graininess, and the buttery scent subtly enhances the flavor. Even as someone who doesn’t usually like red bean, I couldn’t help but keep eating more. The generous portion also means that even those with smaller appetites will feel quite full after just one or two.

If you have the chance to visit Fukuoka, stop by Iwataya and try a warm, freshly baked Honey Roll Manju to savor its decades-long classic flavor!

Iwataya “Honey Roll Manju” Branch
Address: 2-5-35, Tenjin, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka-shi, Fukuoka Iwataya Main Building B2
Business Hours: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM

“Honey Roll Manju” Seirin Main Store
Address: 4-9-18-1, Seirin, Sawara-ku, Fukuoka-shi, Fukuoka
Business Hours: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM