From classic to modern: 5 recommended shops to enjoy Zunda mochi & sweets in Sendai
"Zunda Mochi," made by combining soft mochi with "zunda" paste—crushed edamame beans mixed with sugar and salt—is a local dish that has long been cherished in the Tohoku region, including Miyagi Prefecture. Its appeal lies in its simple yet nostalgic flavor, and there is a wide lineup ranging from traditional tastes at long-established shops to evolved sweets that arrange zunda in new ways. In this article, we will carefully select and introduce sweet shops and souvenir stores in Sendai City where you can enjoy Zunda Mochi and zunda sweets.
What is "Zunda"?
"Zunda Mochi" is one of the three major specialties of Miyagi Prefecture, alongside Sasa Kamaboko (bamboo leaf-shaped fish cake) and beef tongue. "Zunda" is a vibrant green paste made by carefully removing the thin skins of boiled edamame, crushing them until a textured consistency remains, and adding sugar and a small amount of salt. "Zunda Mochi" is made by generously coating freshly pounded white mochi with this paste.
The history of zunda is said to date back to the Sengoku period. There are various theories regarding the origin of the name, including the following:
・The sound of mashing the beans was expressed as the onomatopoeia "zunda"
・The act of mashing beans was called "zuda," which became corrupted to "zunda"
・Date Masamune used the hilt of his "jindachi" (battle sword) to crush edamame while in camp, leading to "jindachi" -> "jinta" -> "zunda"
・A farmer in the Sendai domain named "Jinta" used to coat mochi with crushed edamame, which was called "Jinta Mochi," and this became corrupted to "Zunda Mochi"
While none of these are certain, this way of eating spread throughout the Tohoku region, and given that it is deeply rooted in areas that overlap with the territory of Lord Masamune, it is thought to be deeply connected to historical background.
Zunda Mochi features the unique aroma of edamame, a simple sweetness, and a textured mouthfeel that harmonizes exquisitely with the chewy mochi. The beautiful contrast of green and white is also a charm, and it is now widely enjoyed as a souvenir and as a sweet.
1Zunda Saryo Sendai Station Zunda Komichi Branch
Uses a luxurious zunda made with a unique blend of carefully selected edamame.
Zunda Saryo, operated by Kasho Sanzen, known for the Sendai specialty "Hagi no Tsuki," is a specialty shop for sweets made with zunda (sweetened edamame paste). At the Zunda Komichi store inside Sendai Station, you can enjoy both takeout and dine-in options.
We recommend the "Zunda Mochi (with salted kelp)" set, which can be enjoyed with tea. We carefully select edamame with a strong, rich flavor and aroma, and use a unique blend of zunda crafted by artisans to achieve a more refined taste. It is finished with a deep flavor that you can only find here. The sticky and chewy mochi is carefully pounded from "Miyakogane" glutinous rice grown in Miyagi Prefecture.
The "Zunda Shake," with its novel flavor, is also popular.
The popular "Zunda Shake" is another specialty you must try when visiting Sendai. It is a new type of shake that blends our special zunda into a vanilla-flavored shake, allowing you to enjoy the texture of the edamame bits. You can enjoy the freshly made, highly aromatic deliciousness at the store.
Also, keep an eye out for the "Zunda An-Butter Monaka" introduced in 2024. In this style, you assemble the domestic butter wrapped in zunda paste and the monaka wafer yourself just before eating, allowing you to enjoy the harmony of the rich flavor of the paste and the crispy, fragrant texture of the monaka.
Local
Supporter
There is a wide variety of original products that are perfect as souvenirs. We also recommend the "Zunda Butter Fuku," which adds butter and salt to zunda mochi, and the "Zunda Shirayuki Cheesecake," which incorporates zunda into a rich cream cheese cake.
- Zunda Saryo Sendai Station Zunda Komichi Branch
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JR Sendai Station 3F, 1-1-1 Chuo, Aoba-ku, Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture MAP
Inside JR Sendai Station
Retail: 9:00–21:00, Cafe: 10:00–18:30 (L.O. 18:00)
Open every day
022-715-1081
None
2Hikoichi
A sweet shop where you can enjoy carefully crafted Japanese sweets, including zunda mochi.
A sweet cafe with a nostalgic atmosphere, tucked away in a side street of the shopping arcade. Our classic zunda mochi is a dish that combines chewy mochi sourced from a specialty shop with our smooth, homemade zunda paste. For dine-in, it is served with red shiso seed pickles as a palate cleanser and tea.
In addition to zunda mochi, we also offer sweets such as cream anmitsu, zenzai, and parfaits, as well as light meals like udon and okowa (steamed glutinous rice). We are also particular about the bean paste made from adzuki beans from Tokachi, Hokkaido, and you can choose between two types of oshiruko: chunky bean paste (tsubu-an) or smooth bean paste (koshi-an).
Spend a relaxing moment in a shop with a traditional, charming atmosphere.
We opened in 1976 after renovating a Japanese-style house that was originally built as a ryotei (traditional Japanese restaurant). As a result, the shop retains traces of its ryotei days, and you can feel the Japanese atmosphere in the stone pavement at the entrance and the garden visible from the windows inside the shop.
The anmitsu, which has boasted unchanging popularity since our founding, is also attractive for its generous volume. Seasonal menus such as shaved ice and chilled Chinese noodles in the summer, and hot udon in the winter, are also well-received. While being cherished as a shop rooted in the local community, it also gathers popularity from those visiting for sightseeing.
Local
Supporter
This is a popular shop that often has lines. We recommend visiting outside of lunch hours, such as just before opening or in the evening.
- Hikoichi
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- 4-5-41 Ichibancho, Aoba-ku, Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture MAP
- Approx. 4 minutes by car from JR Sendai Station
Approx. 12 minutes on foot from JR Sendai Station
Approx. 5 minutes on foot from Kotodai-Koen Subway Station 
Take the Sendai City Bus from JR Sendai Station, get off at "Shoko Kaigisho-mae," and walk for about 2 minutes.- 11:00–18:00 (L.O. 17:30)
- Mondays
- 022-223-3618
- None
3Murakamiya Mochi-ten
Enjoy handmade "Zunda Mochi" at a long-established shop
This is a popular Japanese confectionery shop with long lines that was founded in 1877 and is also known as the birthplace of zunda mochi. The zunda paste used in our classic "zunda mochi" is handmade, starting from manually removing the thin skins of the edamame and crushing the beans in a mortar. The simple seasoning of only sugar and salt brings out the original flavor of the edamame. The secret to its deliciousness also lies in the mochi, which is made using Miyagi Prefecture's "Miyakogane" glutinous rice and finished with a pestle to make it chewy. For eat-in, the "Three-Color Mochi," where you can compare three types of paste—zunda, sesame, and walnut—is gaining popularity.
Be sure to check out the popular seasonal Japanese sweets as well
In addition to the classic popular zunda mochi, the shop also sells Japanese sweets such as ohagi and daifuku. Seasonal limited-time items that let you feel the seasons, such as Japanese sweets using chestnuts and sakura mochi, also appear. In particular, the "Strawberry Milk Daifuku" sold from winter to spring features a perfect harmony between the sweet and sour taste of a large strawberry and our original, smooth-melting, mellow paste made by combining white bean paste and fresh cream. In addition, "Sasa no Shizuku," which is a water manju wrapped in bamboo leaves, is also well-regarded, and both are signature products that never fail to attract repeat customers.
Local
Supporter
There are only about 3 seats for eat-in, and it often gets crowded, so we recommend visiting with plenty of time to spare.
- Murakamiya Mochiten
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- 2-38 Kitame-machi, Aoba-ku, Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture MAP
- Approx. 6 minutes by car from JR Sendai Station
Approx. 12 minutes on foot from JR Sendai Station
Approx. 10 minutes on foot from Itsutsubashi Subway Station - 9:00–18:00 (For eat-in, please enter by 17:00)
- Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays
- 022-222-6687
- None
4Endo Mochi-ten
"Kiwami Zunda Mochi" made with the highest grade Hiden-mame soybeans
Founded in 1948 (Showa 23), this long-established Japanese confectionery shop is famous for its zunda mochi, which is crafted with a commitment to carefully selected ingredients and traditional methods. The zunda is made using 100% domestically grown edamame harvested in Miyagi. No additives are used, and it is finished with only salt and sugar, allowing you to taste the natural sweetness of the beans. The glutinous rice used is the Miyakogane brand grown in Ishinomaki City, Miyagi Prefecture, and it is pounded using a traditional pestle method to bring out a soft, chewy texture. The "Kiwami Zunda Mochi" in particular uses the Hiden-mame variety, considered the highest grade, offering a richer aroma and a more refined sweetness.
A locally beloved Japanese confectionery shop where you can enjoy both sweets and okowa (steamed glutinous rice)
The shop also features an eat-in space for small groups, where you can enjoy the "Zunda Tasting Set," which includes one "Zunda Mochi" and one "Kiwami Zunda Mochi."
In addition to zunda mochi, the shop offers classic items like anko (red bean paste) mochi made with Hokkaido azuki beans and walnut mochi, as well as seasonal treats such as sakura mochi in the spring and strawberry daifuku in the winter. Their "seasoned rice balls," made by cooking Miyakogane rice with domestically grown shiitake mushrooms, carrots, and burdock root in a dashi-soy sauce broth, are also popular. It is a long-standing shop that has been loved by the local community for many years.
Local
Supporter
Although it is a popular shop featured in the media, you can reserve products by phone, except for the week-long holiday period after New Year's and Obon. However, during busy seasons such as the end of the year, Obon, and Ohigan, reservations must be made at least one week in advance.
- Endo Mochi-ten
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- 4-7-26 Miyamachi, Aoba-ku, Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture MAP
- Approx. 10 minutes by car from JR Sendai Station
Approx. 2 minutes on foot from JR Toshogu Station - Take the Sendai City Bus from JR Sendai Station, get off at "Toshogu Station," and walk for about 2 minutes.
- 8:30–18:00
- Thursdays
- 022-223-9512
- None
5Kanmidokoro Suzuya
Savor evolved Zunda sweets
This shop is popular for its Japanese sweets, including monaka. Its signature menu item is the "Zunda Catalana." It is a dish where you can enjoy light, crispy monaka wafers filled with fragrant Hiden-mame zunda from Miyagi Prefecture, Catalana infused with zunda paste, and chewy shiratama (rice flour dumplings) all at once. Because the ingredients are sandwiched into the monaka only after you order, you can fully enjoy the crispy texture of the wafer and the texture of the zunda beans. The shiratama, for which the dough is prepared in the shop every morning and boiled to order, are also exquisite. The "Zunda Shiratama" and "Zunda Shiratama Anmitsu" are also highly recommended.
Available for both takeout and eat-in
Originally, we sold monaka-based sweets as a takeout-only shop, but we relocated to our current location in the autumn of 2020. Since then, customers have been able to enjoy our offerings not only for takeout but also inside the shop.
At the counter on the first floor, you can purchase monaka, including our "Zunda Catalana." The second floor features a cafe space decorated with works by artists and illustrators from Sendai, where you can relax and enjoy Japanese sweets and drinks.
Local
Supporter
We offer a variety of Zunda sweets, such as the nostalgic and heartwarming "Zunda Shiratama" and the summer-exclusive "Zunda Shiratama Shaved Ice." Other recommended Japanese-style sweets include those made with matcha, black sesame, red bean paste, and buckwheat seeds.
- Kanmidokoro Suzuya
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- 2-3-37 Ichibancho, Aoba-ku, Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture MAP
- Approx. 4 minutes by car from JR Sendai Station
Approx. 10 minutes on foot from JR Sendai Station
Approx. 2 minutes on foot from Aobadori Ichibancho Subway Station - Take the Sendai City Bus from JR Sendai Station, get off at "Aobadori Ichibancho Station," and walk for about 2 minutes
- 12:00–18:30 (L.O. 18:00) *11:00– on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays
- Irregular holidays (announced on official Instagram)
- None
MAP
- Nearby Hoshino Resorts facilities
Local supporter in charge of this article
- Hina OgataBorn and raised in Miyagi, originally from Kesennuma
KAI Akiu
Akiu Onsen, Miyagi Prefecture
An inn nestled in Akiu Onsen, the inner parlor of Sendai. All rooms offer views of the mountain stream, which is particularly beautiful depending on the season.
Access 1-minute walk from the "KAI Akiu-mae" bus stop, accessible by local bus from JR Sendai Station
- Accommodation rate example
- Per person per night From ¥16,819