Do you know "Takoman", a candy store with a store name similar to that of a takoyaki restaurant? Founded in 1977, it is a community-based store with 17 directly managed stores in the western part of Shizuoka Prefecture (Enshu region).

If you like the sweets called "Unagiimo Tart " sold by Takoman, you should definitely try them. … Well, what is eel? If you think, don't worry. I will explain.


◆ Surprisingly sweet! "Unagiimo tart" that melts perfectly

Speaking of Shizuoka, the famous "eel" of Lake Hamana isn't it? Hamamatsu, which consumes the most eels, eats a lot of eels, so many inedible parts such as the head and bones are thrown away.

This is a waste, isn't it? Therefore, sweet potatoes (variety is "Beni Haruka") are cultivated using eel bones and heads as fertilizer. That potato is the Hamamatsu brand " Unagiimo ".

Unagiimo has a high viscosity and is characterized by a strong sweetness. It grows by sucking the nutritious eel extract (?), So it's decided that it's delicious. The "Unagiimo Tart" (140 yen) is made by squeezing sweet potatoes made from this unagiimo into tart dough and baking it. … The deliciousness is already promised!


When you cheek it tightly, the paste of the potato is so thick that it clings to your tongue! When chewed, it has a sticky texture and a tightly condensed honey-like sweetness spreads. It's like eating the softest part of the grilled food!


By the way, if you warm it lightly with a toaster, the crispy texture and fragrance of the tart dough will increase, and the sweet scent of the tart will spread even more, so it is recommended.


◆ The most popular is the fluffy "Osuna Dune Cheese Cream"

Unagii also pushed the tart with all his might, but in fact, the most popular Takoman is the long-selling "Daisakyu", which has been loved for over 30 years.

It's a sweet that has the image of Hamaoka Sand Dunes in Shizuoka Prefecture, and it's a so-called "busse" with cream sandwiched between fluffy sponges ... The standard flavor "cheese cream" is sweet but salty .


A round sponge dough baked in a golden brown color, sandwiched with cheese cream, which was still rare at the time of its release. The top surface is sprinkled with powdered sugar like "sand". It expresses a "wind crest" that shines in the sunlight.



When you bite into a delicate sponge, it feels crispy and light. When chewed, it unwinds fluffy. The cheese cream that was revealed in this way was unexpectedly salty and invited the next bite again.

In fact, it seems that fresh butter is kneaded into the cheese cream, and it is understandable that the smooth texture makes it crispy and salty. It fits well with the slightly sweet and fluffy dough.


In addition to the flavors of the large sand dunes, there is a lineup of seasonal flavors such as strawberry cream, blueberry cream, and melon cream. In spring (March-April), "Sakura Cream", which is made by kneading cherry leaves into the dough, will also appear. The En-eating editorial department tried eating strawberries and melons, but it wasn't as salty as cheese cream, and I enjoyed the sweetness of the fresh fruit.



◆ Personal hit is "Takoman", a steamed bun that bears the name of the store.

The large sand dunes are also delicious, but the writer's personal hit after the unagiimo tart is the manju "Takoman" (108 yen), which bears the name of the store. Castella dough shaped like the "symbol mark" of takoman, wrapped with red bean paste made from azuki beans from Tokachi, Hokkaido.


The dough is a little thin, and there is plenty of red bean paste inside. The fragrant dough and red bean paste have a moist and elegant sweetness. It has a light aftertaste, so you can eat as many as you like.


Takoman's directly managed stores are only in Shizuoka prefecture, but you can also order from other areas on the official online shopping site. If you want to give a gift that is a little different from other people for Valentine's Day this year, let alone eat it yourself, why not consider it?

I ordered by phone, but I was able to purchase not only the set but also one (but check directly just in case). In some areas, if you buy more than a certain amount, the shipping fee will be cheaper or free, so try to order a combination of good products!