Look for Nagasaki’s souvenirs at the supermarket “ELENA”! 3 recommended reasonable local foods

Nagasaki has various souvenirs such as ‘Yoriyori’ and ‘Ikkokkou (一○香).’ Why not get not only ever-popular local foods but also ones sold at a supermarket where local people often visit as a souvenir? One of the major supermarkets in Nagasaki is “ELENA” whose mark of the elephant is easily recognized. There are over 40 stores in Nagasaki, and you can get reasonable but exquisite local foods.

This time, we’re going to introduce 3 local foods sold at “ELENA,” which are suitable for a souvenir.

“Soda Manju” with a slightly sweet and nostalgic flavor

“Soda Manju” is a steamed bun that uses not baking powder but baking soda to raise the dough. It’s said that “Soda Manju” started to be made since the Meiji era under the influence of soda bread originating in the United States, such as muffins and scones. The dough in which brown sugar is kneaded is stuffed with ‘Koshian’ (smooth sweet bean paste), and you can’t help eating it by feeling its slightly sweet flavor. By the way, ELENA sells freshly made Soda Manju. Let’s open a bag immediately after buying and enjoy the fluffy texture and rich flavor as well as buying it as a souvenir.

“Subo Kamaboko” perfect for miso soup, nibbles and children’s snack

Kamaboko is a traditional Japanese fish cake that is placed on a wooden board. However, ELENA sells Kamaboko with a rare shape different from usual ones. Its name is “Subo Kamaboko.” It’s wrapped up in thin straws, not placed on a wooden board. Fish that is one of the paste’s ingredients varies depending on each manufacturer, so we recommend you should buy them while checking their main ingredients. At first, eat it as it is. Next, grill it in a toaster oven. The outside becomes crispy, the inside does chewier, and the flavor does richer.

Invented by the tofu shop! “Sasebo Tonyu” with a flavor like a latte

“Sasebo Tonyu (soy milk)” has been loved by lots of local people from kids to adults since the post-war. It’s also recommended to those who are not good at soy milk because raw soybean odor is taken away by adding ginger, sugar and syrup. There is a great variety of tastes, such as plain and coffee, banana and Sasebo’s local specialty ‘Sechibara Tea’ with little astringency and a mellow aroma. As tastes vary depending on manufacturers, it might be a good idea to compare them. Please drink Sasebo Tonyu after leaving it into a refrigerator to make it just right sweet.