Even many Japanese cannot precisely imagine the specialty from Kochi in Shikoku, because it is a prefecture located far from Tokyo or Osaka.
Imokempi (芋けんぴ), however, is a sweet from Kochi and it is the sweet known to all Japanese people. It is said that the sweet was first made in the era of Heian, which can go up to 9th century.
As is often the case with Japanese traditional sweets, this amazing sweet can also be served as Halal. Let’s take a look at the most popular and sold brand called Imoya Kinjiro (芋屋金次郎) and their products today.
You can learn more about Japanese Traditional sweets, Wagashi.
What is Imokenpi?
The sweet is very simple: It is a fried sweet potato whose surface is caramelized with sugar.
The potato can be sliced just like chips, but generally it is cut into sticks, and they usually have a very hard texture. Sugar can be white or brown, and sometimes it comes with sesame to add a savory flavor.
Hard but sweet potatoes, with caramelized crispy texture!
Story of Imoya Kinjiro, how did they find their potato?
Imoya Kinjiro is a brand that makes one of the best Imokenpi in Japan. When you google Imokenpi, then this company will be the first one in the page, because their products are very popular.
The company was founded as recent as in 2003, however, their parent company was initiated in 1952 by Kinjiro, whose name is now used for the brand.
Do you want to know the secret of their success? Imokenpi is a very simple sweet, made from only 3 ingredients: Potato, oil and sugar.
The first founder, Kinjiro, traveled all around the world, including Oceania, China and even Tonga, to find the best and the most appropriate potato, which he finally found in Kagoshima prefecture.
It is not difficult for us to imagine how hard it was for him to travel to such places in 1960’s, but this is all because he believed that the best Imokenpi is only made from great potatoes.
Credit: https://imokin.co.jp/
Why is the taste so nice? Where can we enjoy a freshly fried Imokenpi?
The company also keeps it a standard to use only fresh potatoes. After receiving the freshest potato, they cut and fry them immediately. It takes only about 1 hour to complete the process after receiving the potatoes!
This is because harvested potatoes immediately lose their sweetness, and the quality will be a lot worse. To ensure the best quality, there is not even a minute they can lose!
Credit: https://imokin.co.jp/
Imokenpi sold as a souvenir, however, somehow has already lost its freshness. Fried potatoes are always at the best quality, just like McDonald’s. Then, is there no way we can enjoy the freshly fried potato?
Imoya Kinjiro made it possible! They sell freshly fried potatoes only in their direct shops. If you are visiting Japan, you definitely have to visit one of their shops to try them. They are still warm.
Freshly fried Imokenpi, which you can buy only from the store, not online.
If you are around Tokyo, there is a special Imokenpi, sold only at Nihonbashi. It is Imokenpi fried in olive oil! The flavor is totally different, and you can compare the tastes to find your favorite one.
Where can we buy the product?
Now, there are 8 branches of Imoya Kinjiro in Japan, including Tokyo, Osaka and Fukuoka. Because it is a company from Shikoku Island, there are a few branches in Ehime and Kagawa, too. Their products can be bought online.
The products are packed in a plastic bag or in a tin, which can be a proper souvenir. One precaution is that once you open the package, the taste will lose its freshness, so the size should be considered well.
Ingredients
Sweet potato, Sugar, Plant oil, oligosaccharide
Price
100g for 300 yen / best quality, small pack 750g for 2,500 yen / in a tin
Expiry date
60 days after production date
There are other flavors such as salt, ginger, or brown sugar. Choosing your favorite flavor will also be a fun time.
Credit: https://www.imokin.jp/
Details of the shop
Name: Imoya Kinjiro (芋屋金次郎) Available in Kochi, Tokyo, Osaka, Kagawa, Fukuoka and Ehime. Check the detail of each shop below.
Address: 1st Flr., Coredo Muromachi 2, 1-3-2 Nihonbashi Muromachi, Chuo Ward, Tokyo 東京都中央区日本橋室町2-3-1コレド室町2 1階 Tel: 03-3277-6027 Opening hours: 11:00-20:00
Osaka branch
Address: G1 Flr., Umekita Plaza, Gran Front Osaka 1-4 Ofuka cho, Kita Ward, Osaka, Osaka 大阪府大阪市北区大深町4-1グランフロント大阪 うめきた広場 地下1階 Tel: 06-6377-7421 Opening hours: 10:00-21:00
Check their website for more information. There are more branches in Kochi, Fukuoka, Kagawa and Ehime, too.
The product is not made as Halal or Muslim-friendly, so that there is a small risk of contamination, which we cannot be responsible of. We are here to translate the label and it is your own decision to determine if the product is Halal or not.
