Nagoya, It’s Sweet Enough – Uirō, Nagoya’s Tasty Dessert

Jul 31, 2023

Nagoya, It’s Sweet Enough – Uirō, Nagoya’s Tasty Dessert

Nagoya meshi [cuisine] is known for its rambunctious flavors, typified Taiwan Ramen, ankake pasta, and by the red miso that is slathered all over pretty much everything. However, when it comes to desserts, things get a little bit more refined, particularly in the case of uirō.

Pronounced as “wee-roh,” uirō is a soft and chewy wagashi [Japanese sweet] similar to mochi made from glutinous rice flour and subtle hints of sugar, flavored with azuki red bean paste, green tea, citrus yuzu, strawberry or chestnut. Originally a medicine in the Muromachi period (1336–1573) uirō actually started out in Tokyo’s prestigious Odawara samurai clan as a breath cleanser, like a tic tac. However, unlike tic tacs, uirō was the preserve of the elites, and in China it was only sold to the Emperor.

References of uirō as a confectionary product as opposed to a medicine start to appear in the 18th century, and in the tumultuous Meiji era, it became available to the general public, initially at Mochibun Sohonten in Nagoya’s Minami Ward. Purveyors of wagashi since 1659, Mochibun Sohonten, became the watchword for quality in uriō, encouraging other Nagoya confectioners to do likewise, and very soon, uirō became synonymous with Nagoya.

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Today there are numerous top-quality confectioners at which to buy this delicious sweet, either for yourself or to give as gifts. Below are a few of them that you might like to try out.

Uirō Stores in Nagoya

Mochibun Sohonten

Established in 1659, these guys are the aforementioned originators.

Where: 2 Chome-36-24 Yutaka, Minami Ward, Nagoya (map)
Website: mochibun.co.jp

Aoyage Sohonke

Though they have been making wagashi since 1789, Aoyage Sohonke started producing uirō in 1931, and were the first to sell hitokuchi (bite-sized) uirō. They shot to national fame in the 1960s when they obtained the exclusive rights as uirō purveyors on the Tokaido Shinkansen.

Where: 2 Chome-18-50 Osu, Naka Ward, Nagoya (map)
Website: aoyagiuirou.co.jp

Osu Uirō

Established in 1949 in Nagoya’s shopping district of Osu, Osu Uirō are also famous for their nairō, which is uirō mixed with a smooth, sweet red bean paste called koshi-an. If you want to try  out their hitokuchi uirō, a set of five costs just 540 JPY

Where: 2 Chome-18-50 Osu, Naka Ward, Nagoya (map)
Website: osuuiro.co.jp

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Image: By t-mizo via flickr.com (CC BY 2.0) Modified
Image: By yukari abe via flickr.com (CC BY 2.0) Modified