14
Oni Manju
- Characteristics
- Arrangement
- Snacks
A popular snack dessert, enjoyed by the people since the Edo Period (1603-1868).
Oni Manju, or devil cakes, are a snack made of steamed glutinous rice flour with cubes of sweet potato bulging out like the horns of a devil. It is sticky, sweet and and filling in a simple and nostalgic way. As the price is still very reasonable, it is loved as a simple snack for the people of Aichi. There is no specific locality for the raw materials or production, and many locals do not realize that this snack is limited to the Aichi region where it originated!
Origin
Where and when it originated is unclear. The theory is that the name originates from a time of famine in the Edo period when the easily produced sweet potato was eaten as a charm to ward off misfortune from devils.
Availability
Made and sold by most confectionary shops and department store basements in Aichi. Was often made in the home until the 70’s.
Popularly called Oni-man, some versions contain brown sugar, while Oni-man Uiro also uses sweet potato.