I heard that a new menu item had arrived at “Yume Kukan Hashimaya,” a hidden-gem cafe in the Bikan Historical Area, Kurashiki, so I went to try it right away!
It’s a takeout item launched on September 5, 2020, called “Frozen Maruto Moogie.”
This new-style smoothie was created in collaboration with Kurashiki’s famous confection, “Fujito Manju.”
It’s a Japanese-style smoothie that makes the most of the delicious “koshi-an” (smooth red bean paste) from Fujito Manju.
I wonder what it tastes like. As a Fujito Manju fan, I’m excited to find out!
The information presented was current when this article was published in October 2020. Please note that it may differ from current information.
A new-style Japanese sweet: “Frozen Maruto Moogie”
Let’s get right to it and try the new “Frozen Maruto Moogie,” priced at 800 yen (tax included).
It’s not “Maruto Smoothie,” but “Maruto Moogie.” Apparently, they put a lot of thought into the name, too.
Since it’s a takeout item, let’s enjoy it in the garden at Yume Kukan Hashimaya.
First, take a big sip just as it is.
The carefully made bean-paste mousse, prepared with an espuma, spreads across your mouth.
The bean-paste mousse was perfected through trial and error to preserve the flavor of “Fujito Manju’s bean paste” just as it is.
Wow, this really is Fujito Manju!
The sweetness is just right, and the smooth texture is wonderful—you’d never guess it was bean paste.
Beneath the bean-paste mousse is a smoothie made with premium Kyoto matcha, along with matcha jelly and kuromitsu (black sugar syrup).
Fresh banana is the secret ingredient in the matcha mousse. Apparently, the rule for smoothies is that they must contain a vegetable or fruit.
The gentle bitterness of the matcha and its refreshing aroma that rises to the nose are wonderful, and the freshness of the banana really comes through.
At the end, mix in the kuromitsu as well to enjoy the combined flavors of bean paste and matcha.
The package features a large design of “Maruto,” the symbol of Hashimaya Kimono Shop.
Apparently, the “to” was taken from the name of the shop’s founder, Tokukichi Kusudo, and made into a trademark.
It looks like we’ll be seeing the “Maruto mark” more often in the Bikan Historical Area.
The story behind Kurashiki’s famous local confection, “Fujito Manju”: how Maruto Moogie came to be
“Yume Kukan Hashimaya” is a cafe housed in a renovated rice storehouse belonging to Kusudo House, a Kurashiki City-designated Important Cultural Property.
“I’ve always liked Japanese sweets, so I wanted to make a dessert that incorporated bean paste.”
That’s what said Noriko Kusudo, planner at Yume Kukan Hashimaya.
When she thought about “a dessert made with bean paste,” the first thing that came to mind was the koshi-an from “Fujito Manju.”
With various connections and good timing coming together, they asked to use the smooth bean paste and were readily given permission, allowing development of the new product to move forward.
“The previous owner of Fujito Manju was a regular customer of Hashimaya Kimono Shop, so I feel that connection helped bring us together.”
“For people in Kurashiki, the Fujito Manju shop is a special place, or rather, it feels full of local affection. I wanted to make a new product using bean paste that carries that local love.”
Fujito Manju is a famous confection loved by the people of Kurashiki.
“Maruto Moogie” was created from the desire to make the most of that bean paste just as it is.
It really felt like a sweet from a new era, born from Kurashiki’s history.
Read more about Fujito Manju here.
Lunch and tea time at a cafe in a Kurashiki-designated Important Cultural Property
Maruto Moogie is a takeout item, but the cafe is also lovely.
At this cafe, housed in a renovated rice storehouse designated an Important Cultural Property by Kurashiki, we recommend the curry lunch and homemade sweets.
Iron sculptures by artist Koichiro Tokumochi are subtly displayed in the garden and inside the cafe.
Don’t miss the collaboration between these vivid artworks, which seem to make jazz melodies almost audible, and the historic rice storehouse.
There’s a sign for Maruto Moogie at the entrance to Yume Kukan Hashimaya.
Head for the spot next to Hashimaya Kimono Shop.
New yet nostalgic: “Frozen Maruto Moogie,” born from Kurashiki’s history
“Frozen Maruto Moogie,” a collaboration between Yume Kukan Hashimaya and Fujito Manju.
A nostalgic yet new sweet has been born, made possible by Kurashiki’s long history.
The flavor of bean paste is familiar, but the texture and chill are truly something new!
It’s like tasting it for the first time, and yet somehow it feels so nostalgic…
This Maruto Moogie has such a curious flavor—I think I’m going to get hooked on it.
Experience all of Kurashiki’s history in Frozen Maruto Moogie.
Yume Kukan Hashimaya Information
| Name | Yume Kukan Hashimaya |
|---|---|
| Address | 1-20 Higashimachi, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Contact | 086-451-1040 |
| Parking | None |
| Hours | 11:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. (last order 4:30 p.m.) |
| Closed | Tuesday |
| Payment methods |
|
| Seating | 24 seats: large table: 10; tables: 2 × 6 |
| Smoking | Entirely non-smoking |
| Restroom | Western-style toilet |
| Website | Yume Kukan Hashimaya |
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