By MOOK Scenic Spots Editorial Team, compiled and reported
Established in Himeji, home to the UNESCO World Heritage Site Himeji Castle, MANEKI Foods specializes in selling railway bento boxes and station noodles, and is also the first to sell Japanese railway bento. Founded in Meiji 21 (1888), the traditional flavors of this 128-year-old shop have been revived by its fifth-generation owner. This traditional Japanese delicacy has now crossed the seas to Taiwan, with the opening of its first Taiwanese railway bento branch at Breeze Taipei Station on October 31.
Established in Himeji, home to the UNESCO World Heritage Site Himeji Castle, MANEKI Foods specializes in selling railway bento boxes and station noodles, and is also the first to sell Japanese railway bento. Founded in Meiji 21 (1888), the traditional flavors of this 128-year-old shop have been revived by its fifth-generation owner. This traditional Japanese delicacy has now crossed the seas to Taiwan, with the opening of its first Taiwanese railway bento branch at Breeze Taipei Station on October 31.
The earliest scene of railway bento being sold inside train stations. (Photo/Maneki)
In addition to traditional Japanese railway bento, there are also modern-style options such as the “Cute and Compact 99-Yen Square Lunchbox” and the iconic “Makunouchi-Iroha Railway Bento.” The Makunouchi Railway Bento is one of MANEKI Foods’ representative offerings.
A specialty shop selling station noodles on the platform. (Photo/Maneki)
The bento features a two-tiered design with rice and side dishes separated. The side dishes in the “Makunouchi-Iroha Railway Bento” include 13 traditional Japanese ingredients: grilled sea bream, datemaki (sweet rolled omelet), grilled fish cake, tamagoyaki (Japanese omelet), tsukudani (kelp and soybeans), burdock root, yam, lily bulb, bamboo shoots, carrot, beans, and ume (pickled plum). Back in the days when 1.5 kg of rice cost 6 sen (about 1,200 yen), this bento was sold for 12 sen (about 2,400 yen), making it quite a premium railway meal. Now that the branch has arrived in Taiwan, locals can enjoy delicious, fluffy rice that retains its natural grain fragrance.
Makunouchi-Iroha Railway Bento. (Photo/Maneki)
[Info]
Maneki Taiwan Branch
Address: Breeze Taipei Station (No. 3, Beiping West Road, Zhongzheng District, Taipei City)
Opening Date: October 31 (Tuesday)
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