Niwaka senpei by Toundo

ONE OF MUST-BUY SOUVENIR FROM FUKUOKA, HAKATA, "NIWAKA SENPEI".

One of borderless sweet you can buy in Fukuoka city is definitely "Niwaka senpei" (にわかせんぺい) by "Toundo" (東雲堂). Simple Japanese biscuit is made from mainly three ingredients, sugar, flour and egg. Wherever you are from, Niwaka senpei is palatable. Moreover, it is very addictive.

"Toundo" (東雲堂) is founded in 1906, located in Fukuoka city. For over 100 years, they've been baking delicious simplistic "senpei" and known by its products name, "Niwaka senpei" rather than the company's name. Many people who are over 30 in Fukuoka should remember famous TV commercial of Toundo. The TV commercial is about two kids had a fight, one kid is going to apologize with Niwaka senpei given by his mom. The commercials line is brought with the song and it says "Lose the fight once in a while".

On his way to his buddy, the kid starts eating senpei by himself. He gives the box in the end, hope its not empty.

By the way, a word "senpei" was used, it's not typo of "senbei". "Senbei" is a word for rice crackers. So the words are used for different ingredients. If its made from rice, it's "senbei". Made from flour and egg, then "senpei".

niwaka senpei, 博多, 福岡, kyushu, staple, senbei, mementravel

Niwaka senpei, (にわかせんぺい).

Price: ¥648

Ingredients: Sugar, flour, egg, leavining agents

Two boxes are the same price. One in front is a pack of 4 big senpei. One in the back is a pack of 16 normal sized pieces. Both boxes contain the mask.

dialect of hakata, fukuoka, accent, japanese, mementravel

In the back, dialect of Hakata is printed. Although some of are out of date and only few people use the dialect, a few of those are still used.

First, opened the big size senpei box. A paper bag was sealed in vacuum. I like individual package and all, but it is so nice to see senpei in paper bag. It simply tells this is made by hand, not by machines.

If you are reading this page by a notebook PC, the size is almost actual. One thing I need to tell you is that big size senpei is very fragile. It is common to see big size senpei to be cracked, think it as a way of entertainment.

I guess I was in luck to find a senpei in one piece, other three senpei were in more than six pieces. So if you prefer non-cracked senpei, individual package is recommended. Regardless the size, they taste exactly the same.

I checked with Toundo if they are going to change the way they pack the big size senpei. The answer was "yes". But can't announce exactly when it's going to be changed.

wink version of niwaka senpei, mementravel

Another fun of Niwaka senpei is this wink version. There may be one or a few wink senpei in every package. They are packed randomly.

These senpei are made by experienced craftsman, one by one. Due to the simple ingredients, condition of dough severely checked and the dough is rested overnight. Baking process also requires experienced craftworker. The weather and temperature affect the product's result.

After all the hard work, Niwaka senpei is done in extra crispy with delicious egg flavor. Simple delicious senpei will make the world happy.

In the TV commercial, kid is putting a mask on when he says "sorry". The mask, is one of other thing makes the senpei unique. In every box-type senpei products, the mask is included.