The humorous novel "Tokai dochu hizakurige" (Travels on Foot on the Tokaido) by Ikku JUPPENSHA referred to Mannenya and its Nara chameshi, making the teahouse further famous; in the latter half of the Edo Period, Mannenya became so popular that even some daimyo (feudal lords) dropped by for lunch.
さらに十返舎一九の滑稽本『東海道中膝栗毛』に万年屋および奈良茶飯が登場したことで一層有名となり、万年屋は江戸時代後期には大名が昼食に立ち寄るほどの人気を博したと言う。