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Matcha Zenzai is a traditional Japanese dessert that combines sweet red bean paste, shiratama dango, and matcha tea. It balances well with both sweet and bitter flavors, making it a delicious and delightful dessert that is served perfectly for all seasons.
Matcha Zenzai Recipe
Zenzai (ぜんざい) is a Japanese dessert featuring a bowl of sweet red bean paste (or red bean soup) crowned with shiratama dango (or glutinous rice flour dumplings). Today, I’m excited to introduce you to a delightful variation of this classic treat—Matcha Zenzai.
Widely appreciated in local Japanese dessert shops and restaurants as a post-dinner indulgence, Matcha Zenzai brings together two iconic Japanese flavors in a single, delectable bite: the sweetness of red bean and the bitterness of matcha. The result is a harmonious and utterly delicious blend, creating a unique taste experience that is both well-balanced and delightful.
Why This Recipe Works
Making this delicious Japanese dessert is effortless and enjoyable. All ingredients are readily available from local Asian supermarkets and the entire preparation process takes less than 20 minutes.
The dessert is versatile and can be enjoyed all year round. While warm matcha zenzai is comforting in colder weather, it can also be served chilled in warmer seasons.
This recipe is also adaptable. If glutinous rice flour and shiratamako aren’t available at the moment, don’t worry. A fantastic alternative lies in store-bought Japanese mochi cake. Slightly toast the mochi cake until crisp on the outside and savor it with matcha zenzai. It’s the easiest way to enjoy this delightful dessert.
Recipe Ingredients
The homemade matcha zenzai is easy to prepare and calls for only five ingredients:
- Glutinous rice flour (or shiratamako)
- Sugar
- Water
- Matcha powder
- Sweet red bean paste (or red bean soup)
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients.
How To Make Matcha Zenzai
This delightful dessert typically consists of three main elements: sweet red bean paste (or red bean soup), shiratama dango (or glutinous rice dumplings), and matcha tea.
The sweet red bean paste also called “Anko” is prepared by simmering the red beans until they are soft and sweetening them with sugar. In this recipe, I used the store-bought sweet red bean paste. You can always find them in local groceries, which are packed in either cans or aluminum bags.
Shiratama dango are small, chewy dumplings made from glutinous rice flour (shiratamako), sugar, and water. These dumplings are typically rolled into small balls and boiled until they float. Cool them in ice water for a chewy texture.
The matcha tea is made by whisking high-quality matcha powder with hot water.
To assemble the matcha zenzai, place a serving of sweet red bean paste in a bowl, add shiratama dango on top, and then pour the matcha tea over the dango and red bean paste. Serve it warm or cold.
Cooking Tips
For the best result, please follow my tips below:
- When making the shiratama dango, aim for a smooth and soft dough. Add water gradually to achieve the right consistency, and ensure the dango balls are evenly shaped.
- Choose a high-quality matcha powder for a vibrant color and rich flavor. Also, adjust the sugar level in matcha tea according to your liking before assembling the zenzai with red bean paste.
- You may also make your own sweet red bean paste or soup, and add it to the matcha zenzai instead of using the store-bought ones.
Frequently Asked Questions
Shiratamako is a type of glutinous rice flour, but it is made from mochigome, which is a type of glutinous rice known for its stickiness. This results in a finer and smoother texture compared to regular glutinous rice flour.
Glutinous rice flour, also known as sweet rice flour or mochiko, has a coarser texture compared to shiratamako. It is made from short-grain glutinous rice.
This recipe works for either shiratamako, glutinous rice flour, or mochiko.
Zenzai ぜんざい (also spelled Oshiruko おしるこ) and Shiratama Zenzai are terms that are sometimes used interchangeably, but they can refer to slightly different variations of a Japanese sweet red bean soup dessert. Oshiruko tends to be more watery than zenzai. Shiratama zenzai specifically refers to a variation of sweet red bean soup that includes shiratama dango (glutinous rice flour dumplings).
This recipe has 427 calories per serving.
What To Serve With Matcha Zenzai
Pair this Japanese dessert with these beloved Japanese dishes to end your meal on a sweet note.
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Matcha Zenzai
Ingredients
Shiratama Dango (Glutinous Rice Flour Dumplings)
- 1/2 cup (60 grams) glutinous rice flour (or Shiratamako), makes 12 pieces glutinous rice flour dumplings
- 1/2 teaspoon sugar
- 4 1/2 tablespoons lukewarm water
Matcha Tea and Sweet Red Bean
- 1 tablespoon matcha powder
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 cup hot water
- 6 ounces (175 grams) canned sweet red bean paste (anko) or sweet red bean soup
Instructions
- Prepare the shiratama dango by combining glutinous rice flour and sugar in a bowl. Gradually add water, one tablespoon at a time, stirring continuously until a dough forms.
- Roll the dough into a smooth ball with your palms. Flatten it on a working surface and divide it into 12 even pieces. Roll each piece into a ball and set aside.
- Fill a saucepan with enough water to cover the dango and bring it to a boil. Add the shiratama dango and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, or until they start to float. Drain the dango and transfer them to a bowl of ice water to cool.
- To make the matcha tea, combine matcha powder and sugar in a bowl. Pour in the hot water and whisk with a bamboo whisk until well combined and free of lumps.
- To assemble the matcha zenzai, divide the prepared ingredients into two portions. In each serving bowl, add a portion of sweet red bean paste and top with shiratama dango. Pour the matcha tea over the dango and red bean paste, then finish with an additional spoonful of sweet red bean paste on top.
Video
Notes
- When making the shiratama dango, aim for a smooth and soft dough. Add water gradually to achieve the right consistency, and ensure the dango balls are evenly shaped.
- Choose a high-quality matcha powder for a vibrant color and rich flavor. Also, adjust the sugar level in matcha tea according to your liking before assembling the zenzai with red bean paste.
- You may also make your own sweet red bean paste or soup, and add it to the matcha zenzai instead of using the store-bought ones.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
This looks delicious!
I love all kinds of matcha desserts in Japan, so yummy!