Mirindo

The deep, toasty flavor of twice-dipped senbei, thoroughly steeped in soy sauce, stays with you: one taste is enough to bring back the craving for this old-fashioned favorite. On Asakusa-dori in Narihira, a short distance from Tokyo Skytree, みりん堂 is a Japanese confectionery shop with a warm, welcoming storefront and a colorful display of senbei visible through the glass.

The shelves are lively with choices: familiar soy sauce and miso flavors sit alongside crackers seasoned with shichimi chili, garlic or nori, with options suited to an everyday snack or a gift to take along. Especially eye-catching is the range of soft, moist senbei. Some are coated in sweet-and-salty zarame sugar; others take an unexpected turn with fragrant cinnamon sugar, combinations that have earned a following. There is also the unusual option of enjoying a sweet on the spot, such as “wet senbei ice cream,” served with ice cream alongside a soft senbei.

The crackers are not overly salty and have a gentle chew, making them easy to enjoy across generations. Taking time to chat with the staff and find a flavor to suit your taste is part of the pleasure; it is easy to imagine stopping in during a stroll through the old downtown and picking out a favorite cracker.