Well-loved for over a hundred years, Tsurunoko is one of Hakata’s oldest specialities. Made from fluffy marshmallow and sweet beans it has a unique and traditional flavour.
There’s an interesting history behind this unique marshmallow sweet. Tsurunoko was created by the Fukuoka company “Ishimurasanseidou,” and first sold in 1911. The company was opened in 1905 and now has branches around the prefecture. They also used Tsurunoko to promote “Marshmallow Day” – which later went on to become White Day, held on March 14th as a kind of response to Valentine’s Day. While just about everyone in Japan knows about White Day, a lot of people do not know that this now popular holiday originally came from Fukuoka.
Each box is beautifully presented, and comes with some information about the company.
Tsurunoko is made from marshmallow with a filling of white sweet beans. The filling is yellow, so the small marshmallow dumpling looks like an egg. The name “Tsurunoko” literally means “crane child,” and the boxes even have a crane design drawn on them. Boxes are also egg shaped, just like the marshmallow dumpling itself! Each one is individually wrapped in pink or white paper.
The egg shaped marshmallow dumpling.
Each dumpling is carefully hand made to give the marshmallow a special, light texture. You can see the care that has gone into each dumpling when you feel the texture. The white bean paste in the centre has a unique yellow colour. The combination of the light marshmallow and thick, creamy texture of the filling gives it a unique taste. Their small size also means it’s a great way to sample the taste of sweet bean paste, a common ingredient in traditional Japanese sweets. It makes for a light snack and isn’t too filling.
The inside of the dumpling looks just like an egg.
Ishimarusanseidou also sells a variety of other marshmallow treats in different flavours, including chocolate and coffee. Why not sample a few when you try Tsurunoko? Some gift stores also have free samples for you to try.
You can buy Tsurunoko at many gift shops around Fukuoka, especially in stations or at the airport. They are available in boxes of two for 300 yen at the smallest, while the largest contains 20 marshmallow dumplings at 2,300 yen. There are also specially packaged boxes available for you to give as a present. They can be eaten within 14 days, so they could easily be taken home as a gift so that your friends and family can also sample this speciality that has been made and loved in Hakata for over 100 years.
