Zenzai Dango in Azuki

Treat yourself to a cozy bowl of "Zenzai Dango in Azuki," a traditional Japanese dessert that combines soft, chewy rice flour dumplings with a warm, velvety soup of sweetened azuki beans. This comforting treat is beautifully balanced with a hint of salt that enhances the natural sweetness of the azuki, making it perfect for those who adore harmoniously layered flavors. Ready in under an hour, this recipe is surprisingly simple to make, featuring just a handful of pantry-friendly ingredients like glutinous rice flour and canned azuki beans. It's a delightful, gluten-free way to indulge in Japanese cuisine, whether you're looking for a mid-afternoon snack or a sweet ending to a meal. Serve this zenzai piping hot for the ultimate cozy dessert experience!

Nutriscore Rating: 73/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:50 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 150 grams Glutinous rice flour
• 120 ml Water
• 400 grams Canned or cooked sweetened azuki beans
• 250 ml Water (for soup)
• 1 tablespoon Sugar (optional)
• 1 pinch Salt

Directions

Step 1

In a medium bowl, combine the glutinous rice flour with 120 ml of water. Mix until a smooth, pliable dough forms. If the dough is too dry, add a teaspoon of water at a time until the correct consistency is reached.

Step 2

Roll the dough into small, bite-sized balls (about 2 cm in diameter). Set aside.

Step 3

Bring a pot of water to a boil. Gently drop the dango balls into the boiling water. Cook until they float to the surface (approximately 3–5 minutes). Remove and transfer the cooked dango to a bowl of cold water to stop the cooking process.

Step 4

In a separate pot, combine the sweetened azuki beans, 250 ml of water, and a pinch of salt. If you prefer a sweeter soup, stir in 1 tablespoon of sugar. Heat the mixture over medium heat and bring to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally.

Step 5

Drain the dango balls from the cold water and gently add them to the simmering azuki bean soup. Cook together for 2–3 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.

Step 6

Ladle the zenzai into bowls and serve warm. Enjoy the soft dango paired with the rich, sweet azuki bean soup.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	938.3 grams (938.3g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1464

Total Fat 1.70g	2%
Saturated Fat 0.10g	1%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.00g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 163mg	7%
Total Carbohydrate 316.10g	115%
Dietary Fiber 24.60g	88%
Total Sugars 124.60g
Protein 29.80g	60%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 142mg	11%
Iron 6mg	32%
Potassium 1253mg	27%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 1.1%

Protein: 8.5%

Carbs: 90.4%