Shuei-Do Manju, San Jose

Tucked into the heart of San Jose’s historic Japantown-one of the last three in the U.S.-Shuei-Do Manju Shop has been a beloved institution since 1953. This long-standing, family-owned bakery is the Bay Area’s oldest traditional Japanese confectionery, known for crafting manju and mochi the old-school way: fresh, by hand, and with deep respect for tradition.

Shuei-Do specializes in pillowy-soft manju (a flour-based cousin of mochi) and glutinous, chewy mochi, offering up to 25 rotating options. About a dozen are vegan-friendly (but skip the butter mochi and chi chi dango if you're avoiding dairy). Red bean, white bean, matcha, and seasonal fillings are just the beginning-you’ll find everything from the subtly sweet to the intriguingly earthy.

These sweets are less sugary than typical Western desserts, but just as satisfying-especially when you bite into them while they’re still fresh. And fresh is key: unlike pre-packaged versions often found elsewhere, Shuei-Do’s Manju is made in-house, daily. It’s no wonder the shop regularly draws lines of devoted fans and was even honored to serve their confections to the Emperor of Japan during a U.S. visit.

Pro tip: call ahead to order and skip the wait. But even if you don’t, the experience (and the treats) are worth every minute. Whether you're looking for an edible souvenir or your new dessert obsession, Shuei-Do Manju Shop delivers a bite of Japanese heritage, one mochi at a time.