Sweet Red Bean Soup (Tang Yuan) is a comforting, aromatic dessert that’s perfect for cozy evenings or festive occasions. The soft, chewy glutinous rice balls paired with the smooth, subtly sweet red bean soup create a warm and delightful contrast in every bite.
This dish is beloved in Chinese culture, especially during the Lantern Festival, and it’s easily customizable with optional toppings like sesame seeds or chopped nuts for an extra crunch. Whether served for a special occasion or enjoyed as a simple treat, Sweet Red Bean Soup offers the perfect balance of warmth and sweetness. Serve it up and let the flavors transport you to a place of comfort and tradition.
Full recipe:
Ingredients:
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1/2 cup red bean paste
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1/4 cup sugar (or to taste)
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1/2 cup water
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1/4 cup glutinous rice flour
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2 tablespoons of warm water (for dough)
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1 tablespoon sesame seeds (optional, for garnish)
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1 tablespoon chopped nuts (optional, for garnish)
Directions:
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In a saucepan, combine red bean paste, sugar, and 1/2 cup of water. Stir over medium heat until sugar dissolves and the mixture thickens. Set aside.
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For the rice balls, mix the glutinous rice flour with warm water to form a smooth dough. Roll the dough into small balls, about the size of a marble.
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Bring a pot of water to a boil and gently drop the rice balls into the boiling water. Once they float to the surface, allow them to cook for another 2-3 minutes, then remove and drain.
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In a serving bowl, add the sweet red bean soup base. Place the rice balls in the bowl, and optionally garnish with sesame seeds and chopped nuts for extra texture and flavor.
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Serve warm and enjoy!
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cooking Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Kcal: 180 kcal (per serving)
Servings: 4 servings
The Role of Adzuki Beans:
The key ingredient in this dish is the adzuki beans, small red beans with a sweet flavor profile. Adzuki beans are a staple in many traditional Asian desserts, thanks to their naturally sweet taste and smooth texture when cooked. In Sweet Red Bean Soup, the beans are slow-cooked until they soften and break down slightly, thickening the soup to create a rich, velvety broth.
Adzuki beans are not only delicious but also highly nutritious. They are packed with dietary fiber, protein, and antioxidants, making them a great choice for a healthy, indulgent dessert. The beans are typically soaked for several hours before cooking to ensure a smoother texture, but using a pressure cooker like the Instant Pot can significantly reduce the cooking time.
The Tang Yuan (Glutinous Rice Balls):
Tang Yuan, or glutinous rice balls, are small chewy dumplings made from glutinous rice flour, and they serve as the perfect companion to the sweet red bean soup. The dough is simple to make, requiring just glutinous rice flour, water, and a touch of icing sugar. The balls can be shaped to various sizes, and some variations of the dish include filling the tang yuan with sweet fillings such as black sesame paste, peanut butter, or even a bit of salted egg yolk.
The tang yuan’s soft, chewy texture contrasts beautifully with the thick red bean soup. While the soup is warm and comforting, the rice balls add a delightful, chewy element that makes each spoonful of the dessert an experience of both flavor and texture. The simple yet perfect pairing of the two elements makes Sweet Red Bean Soup Tang Yuan a dish loved by many.
Cooking Methods:
Sweet Red Bean Soup Tang Yuan can be prepared in two primary ways: using a traditional stove-top method or a more modern approach with a pressure cooker like the Instant Pot. The stove-top method involves simmering the beans and aromatics (such as dried mandarin peel) for up to an hour and a half. While this method takes longer, it allows you to control the consistency of the soup, ensuring that some beans break down to create a thicker texture while others remain whole for added texture.
For those with less time or who prefer an easier method, using a pressure cooker is a great alternative. The beans cook in a fraction of the time, making this recipe perfect for a busy weeknight or when you’re craving something sweet and comforting but don’t have hours to spend in the kitchen. With the Instant Pot, you simply rinse and soak the beans, set the cooker to high pressure, and let it do the work for you.
The Flavor Profile:
Sweet Red Bean Soup Tang Yuan has a mild, comforting flavor profile. The red beans themselves have a natural sweetness, which is enhanced with the addition of sugar, either brown sugar or rock sugar. A small pinch of salt is added to balance the sweetness and bring out the depth of the flavor. The aromatic addition of dried mandarin orange peel (chen pi) adds a hint of citrusy fragrance, which makes the dish feel fresh and layered. For those who prefer a richer taste, a splash of coconut cream or coconut milk can be added to the soup, creating a smooth and indulgent texture.
Customizing Your Tang Yuan:
While this dish is traditionally served as sweet red bean soup with tang yuan, there are several ways to customize it to suit your taste or to add variety to your meal. For example, you can add other beans, such as mung beans, to the soup for an extra twist. If you don’t have dried mandarin peel, pandan leaves can be used as an aromatic alternative, offering a fragrant, slightly floral note to the soup.
For those who enjoy textural contrast, adding ingredients like water chestnuts or cooked tapioca pearls can enhance the dish’s crunch and chewiness. Some variations of this recipe also include sweet fillings in the tang yuan itself, such as black sesame paste, making each rice ball an unexpected burst of flavor.
Serving Suggestions:
Sweet Red Bean Soup Tang Yuan can be served as a standalone dessert or as part of a larger meal. Its delicate sweetness makes it an excellent way to conclude a meal, especially after heavier dishes. It’s perfect for family gatherings and festive occasions, including the Dongzhi Festival.
The dish can be made in advance and stored in the fridge for up to one week. If storing, the tang yuan balls will soften when reheated, but they will still maintain their chewy texture. To reheat, simply warm the soup on the stove or in the microwave until it’s piping hot.
Health Benefits:
Beyond its delightful taste, Sweet Red Bean Soup Tang Yuan offers a number of health benefits. Adzuki beans, the main ingredient in this soup, are rich in fiber, which helps support digestion and promote heart health. They also provide a good amount of protein and are packed with essential vitamins and minerals, such as iron, folate, and magnesium. Glutinous rice flour is also easy to digest, making this dessert a suitable option for those with dietary restrictions.
The dish is naturally gluten-free and can be made vegan by substituting the sugar and using a plant-based alternative for any dairy products. By reducing the sugar or using alternative sweeteners, you can also make this dish a healthier option while still enjoying its sweet, comforting nature.
Conclusion:
Sweet Red Bean Soup Tang Yuan is a wonderful example of the comforting, aromatic desserts found in Chinese cuisine. It’s easy to make, yet offers a sense of festivity and warmth that can be enjoyed year-round. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or simply looking for a cozy dessert to enjoy with loved ones, this recipe will always deliver. Its balance of sweet, chewy, and slightly fragrant notes makes it an unforgettable treat. So, next time you’re in the mood for a sweet soup dessert, give this recipe a try—you’ll be transported to a world of warm, comforting flavors with every spoonful.