Red bean soup, also known as Zenzai or Oshiruko is a popular Japanese dessert that is frequently featured in the hit anime series One Piece. As a long-time fan of One Piece I was inspired to try making this sweet and comforting soup at home. In this article, I’ll walk you through the entire process of making authentic red bean soup, from selecting ingredients to cooking techniques.
A Brief History of Red Bean Soup in Japan
Red bean soup has a long history in Japanese cuisine. It is often served during winter months or on special occasions like New Year’s. The origins can be traced back over 1000 years to the Heian period, when it was referred to as “oshiruko” and was made from boiled azuki beans and rice cakes. Over time, the dessert evolved to include ingredients like mochi, sweet bean paste, and brown sugar While there are regional variations, it remains a classic dessert across Japan
Red Bean Soup in One Piece
In the world of One Piece, red bean soup seems to be a favorite treat. Characters like Luffy, Chopper, and Brook are often seen enjoying a hot bowl of “zenzai”, which is the Kansai region name for red bean soup. The bubbly Straw Hat Pirates especially love eating zenzai together after a big feast. Some fans have noted that the thick, sweet soup is perfect for providing energy to the constantly-hungry characters. Just looking at the delicious red bean soup in the anime is enough to make me hungry!
Key Ingredients
To make red bean soup at home, you will need the following main ingredients:
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Azuki Beans – Small, red beans that provide the base flavor. You can use canned or dried beans.
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Water – Adds broth and moisture. Use dashi stock for extra umami flavor.
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Sugar – Sweetens the soup. Brown sugar is commonly used.
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Salt – A pinch of salt balances out the sweetness.
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Mochi – Chewy rice cakes that are a classic topping.
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Shiratamako – Glutinous rice flour used to make soft dumplings.
Optional mix-ins include fruit like pear, persimmon, or chestnut chunks to complement the red bean flavor.
Cooking Method
There are a few easy methods for making red bean soup:
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Stovetop – Simmer azuki beans in water for 1-2 hours until softened, then add sugar and salt. Takes more time but easy.
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Pressure Cooker – Cooks beans much faster under pressure. Just 15 mins of cook time!
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Prepared Bean Paste – Use ready-made anko sweet paste to skip cooking beans entirely.
Once the soup is prepared, add hot water to soften mochi rice cakes. Other toppings can be added like shiratama dumplings made from shiratamako flour and boiled in the soup.
Step-By-Step Recipe
Follow these simple steps for foolproof red bean soup:
Prep Ingredients
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Rinse 1 cup azuki beans and soak overnight or use canned beans.
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Prepare 4 cups water, 1 cup brown sugar, and a pinch of salt.
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Cut mochi into quarters and set aside.
Cook Beans
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For stovetop, boil beans in water, then simmer for 1-2 hours until softened.
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For pressure cooker, cook beans with water on high pressure for 15 minutes.
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For prepared paste, skip this step.
Finish Soup
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Add sugar and salt to cooked beans and stir well to dissolve.
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For prepared paste, add paste and water to pot and heat together.
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Taste and adjust sweetness or consistency as desired.
Cook Toppings
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Add mochi to toaster oven and cook until puffed and toasted.
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Boil shiratamako dumplings right in the soup for a few minutes.
Serve
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Scoop soup into bowls and add toasted mochi and shiratamako dumplings.
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Enjoy this sweet and comforting One Piece-inspired treat!
Tips for Perfect Red Bean Soup
Follow these tips for making the best red bean soup at home:
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Simmer beans gently to avoid bursting skins.
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Add a tablespoon of rice flour to thicken soup as desired.
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Use an otoshibuta drop lid to keep beans submerged.
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Toast mochi well so it’s crispy on the outside.
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Add citrus zest or vanilla to boost bean flavor.
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Garnish with toasted nuts or fruit like berries.
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Refrigerate leftovers up to 4 days or freeze for longer storage.
The Joy of Cooking Your Favorite Anime Recipes
One of the best parts of being an anime fan is getting to recreate foods you see in the shows. Cooking dishes like red bean soup from One Piece brings the characters to life and makes you feel connected to the series. As you carefully cook each component, you can imagine the Straw Hat Pirates enjoying the meal together after another adventure at sea. Part of what makes One Piece so engaging is the attention to detail in the food and cooking. Fans get to mirror that meticulousness in their own kitchens. Each simmered pot of beans, every perfectly toasted mochi, is a labor of love. When you finally sit down to enjoy a hot bowl of homemade red bean soup, you’ll feel a sense of accomplishment and comfort. You’ll be transported right into the world of the anime, joining the characters as they savor a favorite treat. One satisfying spoonful is all it takes to bring joy back into a busy day.
Frequency of entities:
red bean soup – 28
One Piece – 9
azuki beans – 5
mochi – 8
water – 4
sugar – 3
salt – 3
oshiruko – 2
zenzai – 2
anko – 1
dumplings – 3
shiratamako – 3
Luffy – 1
Chopper – 1
Brook – 1
Straw Hat Pirates – 2
Heian period – 1
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Oshiruko (Red Bean Soup with Mochi) From One Piece ~ Otama’s Favourite Dish ! ワンピースしるこ
FAQ
Is red bean soup good for you?
How to make red beans tender?
What is the significance of red bean soup?
What is the story behind red bean soup?
How to make red bean soup?
Learn how to make red bean soup in both versions. Dissolve anko or red bean paste in water over medium heat in a small pot. When it comes to a boil, lower the heat and simmer for 7-8 minutes. For Oshiruko, mash the red bean paste until you get a smooth texture. If you prefer to make Zenzai, which is chunkier, put less pressure on mashing them.
How do you cook red bean soup & mochi?
Add a pinch of salt and stir well. Cut mochi into two or four depending on your preference, then put in a hot pan. Heat mochi until both sides are a little toasted and are puffed. Serve red bean soup and mochi in a small bowl to enjoy. Cooking red beans directly instead of a paste is also an option you can try.
How do you cook sweet red bean paste?
Put 7 oz sweet red bean paste (anko) in a saucepan and add half of the water. Use a spatula to mash and dissolve the anko completely. Add the rest of the water and bring it to a simmer over medium-low heat. Once simmering, cook for 1–2 minutes. You can add a pinch of salt to enhance the flavor (optional).
How to make zenzai with red bean paste?
Add rinsed beans to a pot with water and bring it to a boil. Then, simmer over low heat for 1–1.5 hours. When you can easily mash a bean with your fingers, add the sugar and salt. Stir to dissolve the sugar, then keep the mixture warm as you prepare the mochi. There’s an even a easier and faster way to make zenzai. Use store-bought red bean paste!