On December 15, 2025, a surprising new product will appear on the shelves of Konbini stores all across Japan. It’s “Baby Star Ramen Maru,” a snack supervised by “Kaneko Hannosuke,” the Edomae-style tendon specialty restaurant in Tokyo famous for its never-ending lines. This creation, a fusion of Japan’s national snack “Baby Star” and the taste of traditional tendon, has been gathering significant attention even before its release.
The Taste of a Legendary Tendon Shop in a Bite-Sized Snack
This new snack was developed with the goal of recreating the flavor of “Kaneko Hannosuke’s” signature “Edomae Tendon.” Its greatest feature is the flavor of the “secret donburi sauce,” a recipe that is never shared outside the restaurant. The taste of the sauce, which is lightly sweet and refreshing, is enhanced by the rich, appetizing aroma of sesame oil.
When you put it in your mouth, you can enjoy a fun, three-stage texture that changes from “crispy” to “crunchy” to “crumbly.” It is designed so that along with this textural evolution, the deep world of the tendon served at “Kaneko Hannosuke” fills your mouth.
Since they are bite-sized and easy to grab, they are perfect for when you’re strolling through the streets of Japan, traveling on the Shinkansen, or taking a short break in your hotel room. A delightful point is that you can casually enjoy the atmosphere of a famous restaurant without having to wait in line.
Product Name: Baby Star Ramen Maru (Kaneko Hannosuke Supervised Sesame Oil Scented Edomae Tendon Flavor)
Release Date: Monday, December 15, 2025
Price: Open price (expected retail price: around 179 JPY, tax included)
Where to Buy: Konbini stores all across Japan (availability may vary by store)
Why is “Kaneko Hannosuke” So Special?
Many international readers may not have heard the name “Kaneko Hannosuke.” This is no ordinary tendon shop. “Tendon” is a traditional Japanese rice bowl dish topped with freshly fried tempura and drizzled with a special sauce.
The founder, Hannosuke Kaneko, was a highly respected figure in the world of Japanese cuisine. Born and raised in Asakusa, a historic downtown area of old Tokyo, he loved Japanese food and Edo culture more than anyone. It is said that a recipe book he left behind contained the formula for his secret, closely guarded “secret Edomae donburi sauce.”
The current “Edomae Tendon” was perfected after much trial and error to recreate that secret sauce and find the best tempura ingredients to pair with it. A generous serving of freshly fried tempura piled so high it overflows from the bowl, this dish embodies the stylish (known as ‘iki’) and dynamic food culture of Edo itself.
“I want more people to enjoy such a delicious tendon at an affordable price.” “Nihonbashi Tendon Kaneko Hannosuke” was born from this desire. Today, it is famous for the long lines that form during mealtimes, with people coming from both within Japan and abroad to seek out its flavor. It can be called a special place that every gourmet food lover in Japan knows.
https://kaneko-hannosuke.com (Japanese Link)
An Encounter with “Baby Star Ramen,” a Japanese Soul Food
Meanwhile, “Baby Star Ramen” is a snack that has been loved for generations by everyone from children to adults in Japan since its launch in 1959. It features a unique and savory flavor, like seasoned dried ramen noodles, and for many Japanese people, it is a taste of nostalgic memories. It is usually eaten as is, but it is also sometimes used in cooking, such as a topping for monjayaki.
Such a collaboration between a national snack and a prestigious tendon shop that values tradition is truly a “fusion of tradition and innovation.” The very fact that such a special culinary experience is offered at a Konbini, a place so closely tied to daily life in Japan, demonstrates the depth and fun of Japanese food culture.
If you have the chance to travel to Japan, be sure to peek into a nearby Konbini. There, you are sure to find culinary discoveries full of surprise and fun, just like the one introduced today. Please experience this stylish encounter between Edomae tradition and Japanese snack culture, packed into one small bite.
Source (Japanese): 【行列ができる江戸前天丼店「金子半之助」監修】 ベビースターラーメン丸が12月15日（月）発売！
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