Kintsuba: Another Popular Japanese Sweet

Inspired by the shape of the crossguard of a sword kintsuba are one of the most common and easiest-to-find traditional Japanese confections. First appearing in the Edo Period These little square red bean cake are characterized by their square shape. These simple bean cakes are soft and mildly sweet with a slightly chewy exterior– making them both satisfying and easy to eat. 

Kintsuba

What is Kintsuba?

Kintsuba is made of bean paste (anko) wrapped in a thin batter and cooked on a griddle. Though they are simple, they will quickly become a favorite if you are a fan of anko. 

Though most kintsuba you will find today are square, the first ones were round. Originally called gintsuba, or silver crossguard, referring to the tsuba— the round piece of metal that separates a sword from its hilt.  

The origins of this snack are hard to pin down. Sources suggest that they first appeared in the Kansai region, possibly Osaka or Kyoto. Some time afterward, they were taken to Tokyo, where the gin (silver) was changed to kin (gold), because gold, is more precious. Then around the same time, a confectionary company in Kobe started to make them in squares simply because it was easier to make. This shape caught on and today virtually all kintsuba are square. 

Kintsuba was never very popular in the Kansai region and the well-known stores specializing in it opened somewhat recently. Personally, I’m not convinced it was invented in the Kansai region.  

 

Some of the best…

For people in Kansai, kintsuba is an iconic food from the Hokuriku region. One of the most popular places to buy it is Nakataya in Kanazawa. Nakataya’s anko features partially mashed beans, which sets it apart from other shops that typically use whole beans. This unique approach allows the flavor of the beans to be more easily appreciated in Nakataya’s anko paste.

If you’re looking for kintsuba in Osaka, check out Deiribashi Kintsuba, which has been in business since 1930. The shop is a little far from Umeda Station but their goods are rarely sold in souvenir shops. The reason the shop is not in a more convenient location is because a long time ago, Deiribashi was the last stop of the Hanshin Railway, not Umeda. 

Deiribashi is not only affordable but is also good, especially because each one packs a lot of anko inside.  They are really good for souvenirs, but unfortunately, they have a short shelf life, so eat them quickly!