Japanese Zenzai Recipe (Sweet Red Bean Soup) | Veggiekins Blog (2024)

FAQs

What does Zenzai mean in Japanese? ›

In Western Japan, zenzai refers to a type of shiruko made from a mixture of paste and crushed beans. In Okinawa, the term zenzai commonly refers to this bean soup served over shaved ice with mochi. Other toppings, such as sweetened condensed milk, are occasionally added for flavor.

You can make this warm soup as sweet or as mild as you'd like, and enjoy this protein-packed, fiber-licious, bean-based dessert that promotes good health! It's something different but absolutely delicious and a traditional dessert for Japanese families, especially during cold seasons but is also available year-round.

According to the story, a man named Gong Gong had a bad son who died on the day of winter solstice and became a disease-spreading evil spirit who was afraid of red bean porridge. People began to make red bean porridge on winter solstice to ward off the spirit, and forestall epidemic diseases.

Adzuki beans cook faster than most beans; their flavor is comparable to red or kidney beans, but more delicate. Their texture is less grainy than larger red beans, too. What is this? Common uses: The Asian origin of these beans may inspire cooks to flavor them with Asian seasonings, such as ginger, tamari and miso.

The name adzuki is a transliteration of the native Japanese アヅキ, as it was spelled according to historical kana orthography. The name is also transliterated as azuki, reflecting the modern spelling アズキ, or less commonly as aduki, according to an alternate system of romanization.

Chunky red bean soup OR soup-less chunky red bean over mochi is called Zenzai. Soupy red bean soup without any beans is called Oshiruko.

Side Effects Of Adzuki Beans:

However, owing to their high fibre content, ingesting high amounts of adzuki beans presents with problems of excessive gas and flatulence, as well as health issues in the digestive tract, liver and kidneys owing to surplus fibre and protein intake.

The fiber in red beans will help regulate cholesterol in the blood. body at the right level. In addition, the potassium in red beans also helps to dilate blood vessels, thereby increasing blood circulation - helping to reduce blood pressure and pressure on the heart wall.

Red or Adzuki Bean Soup

Red or Adzuki beans are high in dietary fiber that helps to improve digestive health, while increasing the absorption of healthy nutrients at the same time.

Absolutely, bean soup can be a fantastic addition to your daily diet, but like everything, it should be consumed in moderation and as part of a balanced diet. Rich in Fiber: Beans are a stellar source of dietary fiber, which aids in digestion and helps maintain healthy cholesterol levels.

What is the story behind red bean soup? ›

One day while Jacob was cooking some bean soup, Esau came in from hunting. He was hungry and said to Jacob, “I'm starving; give me some of that red stuff.” (That is why he was called Edom.) Jacob answered, “I will give it to you if you give me your rights as the firstborn son.” Esau said, “All right!

In addition to favorable edibility, the human health benefits of adzuki beans include antioxidant, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties.

Studies show that adzuki beans may contain up to 29 different types of antioxidants, making them one of the most antioxidant-rich foods available (4). However, like all beans, adzuki beans also harbor antinutrients, which reduce your body's ability to absorb minerals from the beans.

Even though adzuki beans may be unfamiliar to those of us who live in the West, the good news is that cooking them isn't so different from cooking other beans. Almost all beans benefit from an 8 to 12 hour soak, and adzuki beans are no exception.

Japanese starter course of small dishes, relishes, hors d'oeuvres, smorgasbord, tapas.

Zenzai originated in Izumo and is now eaten all over Japan. It is said that people used offer Zenzai to Kami (deities) when they gathered in Izumo. The origin of Izumo Zenzai comes form Jinzai 神在 which means deity exist.

Order the Pumpkin Zenzai: pumpkin sauce over sweet azuki red beans & vanilla ice cream, topped with some shiratama (little white mochi balls). Some other Japanese restaurants serve this well, but the Hachi version is simply out of this world!

Learn to make authentic Azuki Red Bean Ice Cream just like what you'd find in Japan! It's the perfect treat for a hot day and only takes 3 ingredients to make. Red bean, also known as Azuki (小豆), is by far the most popular flavor in traditional Japanese sweets.