Crispy, golden, and steaming hot — try a sweet fried mantou at Senso-ji Temple

▲ Red bean and pumpkin fried mantou from Asakusa Kukuru.

Text & photos by Kyuu-go Akka

Visitors to Tokyo often include the iconic “Senso-ji Temple,” famous for its giant Thunder Gate, in their travel itineraries. Along Nakamise-dori, the street stretching on both sides of the temple, visitors will find an abundance of shops selling local specialties, snacks, and souvenirs, making it the liveliest thoroughfare around the temple. Among the many stalls, a local Japanese friend especially recommends the “Asakusa Kukuru Fried Mantou.”

▲ At the Asakusa Kukuru shop, you can see staff skillfully wrapping each mantou.

Established in Showa 37 (1962), Asakusa Kukuru is a long-standing shop specializing in traditional Japanese-style fried mantou. Unlike Taiwan, where small flour mantous are deep-fried until crispy and then dipped in condensed milk, Japanese fried mantou is made by coating the filling with batter before frying, turning it into a dessert in its own right. Asakusa Kukuru offers a variety of flavors including red bean, sesame, matcha, sweet potato, pumpkin, and sakura, each priced around 120–200 yen (approximately NT$32–53).

▲ Fried mantou comes in multiple flavors, with prices ranging from 120 to 200 yen.

Since eating while walking is prohibited at Senso-ji Temple, there is a designated standing area near the stall for sampling. The fried mantou, wrapped in oil-absorbing paper, emits a cloud of hot steam. Biting into one, you’ll find the crust is delightfully crisp and fragrant, while the filling has a soft and slightly chewy texture. According to Kyuu-go Akka, both the red bean and pumpkin flavors retain the original taste of the ingredients, with smooth and delicate fillings that are completely different from Taiwanese-style fried mantou.

▲ Asakusa Kukuru is right next to the famous Senso-ji Temple and its five-story pagoda.

However, since it’s a fried snack with a relatively sweet filling, even though the fried mantou isn’t very big, it can still get a bit heavy if eaten in large quantities. Therefore, Kyuu-go Akka also suggests that visitors consider sharing one with a companion first. If you enjoy it, you can buy more after exploring the temple to avoid feeling overly full or overwhelmed by the sweetness and oiliness, which could diminish your enjoyment of the treat.

% A must-try dessert for temple visits.