This is the Umetsubo Momiji Manjū Banana Cream, a momiji manjū, a meibutsu from Miyajima, Hiroshima Prefecture. While filled with banana cream, it did not contain actual banana.
Each piece was shaped like a maple leaf, measuring approximately 6 × 5 × 2 cm at its widest and thickest points. The exterior was evenly golden brown with a gentle banana aroma rising from the cake.
On tasting, the surface carried a slight moisture, similar to lightly syrup-soaked sponge, before giving way to a fine-crumbed cake that appeared dense but proved light and softly springy. The texture contrasted clearly with the smooth, rich banana cream filling. The banana flavour was immediate and distinct. Despite containing no fruit, it closely resembled fresh banana purée in both flavour and creamy consistency. The cake component itself was light and moist, comparable to a fine vanilla sponge, with the banana aroma subtly permeating the crumb rather than presenting as a separate flavour. Biting through to the centre delivered a generous proportion of filling, creating a balanced contrast between sponge and cream.
Overall, this was a well-executed flavoured momiji manjū, with convincing banana character, good textural contrast, and a filling-to-cake ratio that felt considered.
This Umetsubo Momiji Manjū Banana Cream contained 35 g. It was produced in Japan and purchased in Sydney, Australia in 2026.