1. Home
  2. Food & Drink
  3. Japanese Food

Japanese Maple Leaves

Momiji

By Setsuko Yoshizuka, About.com

Momiji Leaf on Yuba

Momiji Leaf on Yuba

Photo (c) Setsuko Yoshizuka

Have you wonder if you can eat beautiful fall leaves? Japanese maple (momiji) leaves turn beautiful red and yellow in fall. It's not really common to eat Japanese maple leaves, but they are used for decoration in some Japanese dishes. See the photo of a yuba dish with a Japanese maple leaf.

Fried Japanese maple leaves called momiji-no-tempura (tempura momiji) are sold in Minou-city, Osaka, Japan. Momiji-no-tempura are different from regular tempura and are more like crunchy snacks. Colored momiji (*should be edible momiji leaves) are preserved in salt for a year, and they are dipped in sweet batter which includes sesame seeds and sugar. Then, they are deep-fried.

Minou mountain is famous for its beautiful autumn leaves and attracts many visitors in fall. If you have the chance to visit Minou-city in Japan, try momiji no tempura. They are delicious.

Japanese Momiji Tempura Shop:

  • Hisakuni Kosendo
  • Explore Japanese Food

    About.com Special Features

    Conquering High Cholesterol

    Learn how you can reduce your your numbers with these nutrition and exercise tips. More >

    Mornings Made Easy

    Reclaim the morning and your sanity with these easy recipes, tips, and timesaving ideas. More >

    1. Home
    2. Food & Drink
    3. Japanese Food
    4. Holiday & Traditional Food
    5. Tradition / Ingredient
    6. Japanese maple sweets momiji no tempura - Japanese regional food

    ©2009 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company.

    All rights reserved.