When you visit Rusutsu Village in Abuta District, why not pick up the famous "Ganso Miso Manju" as a souvenir? It's a fascinating and delicious manju (steamed bun) that, despite its name, contains no miso and even has a mysterious legend behind it.

The Miso Manju is sold by Umeya Co., Ltd. in Rusutsu Village. It's a confectionery shop along National Route 230, and you'll spot it easily thanks to the large "Miso Manju" sign at the entrance.
The main ingredients of the Miso Manju are carefully selected adzuki beans from Tokachi, wheat flour, rice flour, brown sugar, and granulated sugar. As you may have noticed, the word "miso" is nowhere to be found. However, its appearance, true to its name, does have a somewhat miso-like look.
When you take a bite, the chewy skin and smooth red bean paste (koshian) have a simple, rustic flavor that leaves you wanting more. They are bite-sized and easy to eat, so you might find yourself reaching for a second or third one. It's reassuring that they are made without any additives. The fact that they are individually wrapped, unlike many manju, makes them a great souvenir. The retro design is also strangely appealing.
Now, about that mysterious legend. The story goes that in the late Meiji era, the first shop owner was selling daifuku mochi (rice cakes with bean paste) in Rusutsu Village when a traveling monk with all-white hair stopped by and taught him how to make Miso Manju. The monk said, "If you make this alongside your other products, it will delight the hardworking farmers and travelers. It is very nutritious." and then left.
Just as the monk said, when the shop started selling both daifuku mochi and Miso Manju, the horse-drawn carriage drivers of the time would stop for a rest, filling their stomachs with the treats before heading over the mountains.
The Miso Manju still follows the traditional recipe today. As mentioned, it contains no additives, so please note that the shelf life is short: two days in the summer and three days in the winter. However, it can be stored in the refrigerator for a week or in the freezer for over a month.

They say it's also delicious when coated in a light batter and fried, so why not try to find your own favorite way to enjoy it?

＜Miso Manju Honpo Umeya Co., Ltd.＞
Location: 53-1 Rusutsu, Rusutsu Village, Abuta District, Hokkaido
Phone: 0136-46-3450