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

FAQs

What is the difference between oshiruko and zenzai? ›

In Kansai, zenzai is made with soupy and chunky adzuki paste. Oshiruko is a soupy mixture of smooth adzuki paste. In Kanto, on the other hand, if it is soupy, it is called oshiruko.

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.

Concluding, he said, “There are no side effects of consuming adzuki beans but eating them uncooked or in large quantity can cause digestive issues such as gas, bloating, flatulence, mild diarrhoea, and nausea.”

Adzuki beans may also contribute to a lower risk of type 2 diabetes. That's in part because they are rich in fiber, which helps improve insulin sensitivity and reduce blood sugar spikes after meals ( 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 ).

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

Zenzai is a traditional Japanese dessert soup with a slightly sweet taste made with azuki beans, mochi, or glutinous rice cake.

Japanese Translation. 小豆 Azuki.

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.

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 happens if I eat red beans everyday? ›

Indeed, eating beans is associated with the prevention of several chronic diseases, including type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and some cancers. Also, beans can improve gut health. The World Cancer Research Fund recommends making foods like beans part of your usual daily diet.

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.

Kidney, pinto, navy or black beans are packed with vitamins and minerals such as magnesium and potassium. They are very high in fiber too. Beans do contain carbohydrates, but ½ cup also provides as much protein as an ounce of meat without the saturated fat.

Even though pulses contain carbohydrates, they don't give sharp rises to blood glucose levels compared to other carbohydrate-containing foods. The make-up of the carbohydrates in pulses, the fibre content and the fact that they are high in protein slows down the breakdown of the carbohydrates into glucose in the blood.

Although beans contain carbohydrates, they are low on the glycemic index (GI) scale and do not cause significant spikes in a person's blood sugar levels. Beans are a complex carbohydrate. The body digests this form more slowly than other carbohydrates, helping to keep blood sugar levels stable for longer.

Oshiruko, or zenzai, is a traditional Japanese dessert soup made with sweet azuki beans and mochi (rice cake). Many people enjoy this wintertime treat, featuring warm, slightly sweet, and earthy flavors. Vending machines offer oshiruko as a sweet red bean drink.

Slightly sweet, with a gentle fragrance from the red beans, the dessert soup has the instant magic of warming up one's soul. The toasty, chewy mochi makes everything even better! It is one of those dishes that brings many cozy memories of my childhood. I couldn't resist Zenzai whenever it's offered.

But "anko", a paste made from red beans called "azuki", is a staple in traditional Japanese confectionery, and has been enjoyed by Japanese people for centuries. The taste can be enjoyed alone, or as a complement to other Japanese flavors such as matcha (roasted green tea) or mochi (sticky rice cake).

Okinawa zenzai

This is a classic iced confectionery in Okinawa. On mainland Japan, sweets made using red beans, such as rice cakes and shiratama rice-flour dumplings in bean paste, are called zenzai or oshiruko.