Vegan Adzuki Bean Manju
These delightful Japanese steamed buns have a soft, slightly sweet exterior and are filled with a rich, subtly sweet red bean paste. They make a perfect light dessert or snack, offering a comforting taste of traditional confectionery.
An original recipe by Forkin
- Total time
- 1 hr 5 min
- Serves
- 6
- Difficulty
- Medium
Allergen information: may contain gluten. Always check ingredient packaging if you have an allergy.
Mise en place
Ingredients
Converted for display; the recipe amounts stay equivalent.
filling
- 100 gadzuki bean, dried
- 80 ggranulated sugar
- 500 mlwater
dough
- 150 gall-purpose flour
- 1 tspbaking powder
- 30 ggranulated sugar
- 1 tbspvegetable oil
- 70 mlwater
Equipment
potato masher (optional) · steamer · pot · bowl · parchment paper
The method
Step by step
- 1
Rinse the adzuki beans and place them in a medium pot with water.
About 2 min
- 2
Bring the water to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
About 15 min
- 3
Drain the beans, discarding the cooking liquid, and return them to the pot with fresh water, ensuring the beans are fully submerged.
About 3 min
Cook’s note: This step helps to remove bitterness from the beans.
- 4
Bring to a boil again, then reduce heat and simmer for 60-90 minutes, or until the beans are very soft and easily mashable.
About 1 hr 15 min
Cook’s note: Add more water during cooking if needed to keep the beans covered.
- 5
Drain most of the water, leaving just a little in the pot with the soft beans.
About 1 min
- 6
Add the granulated sugar to the beans and mash them with a potato masher or the back of a spoon until a coarse paste forms.
About 5 min
Cook’s note: You can mash it smoother if you prefer a fine paste.
- 7
Continue to cook the bean paste over low heat, stirring constantly, until most of the moisture has evaporated and the paste is thick enough to hold its shape.
About 10 min
Cook’s note: Be careful not to burn the bottom.
- 8
Transfer the adzuki bean paste to a bowl and let it cool completely.
About 15 min
Cook’s note: Cooling makes it easier to handle.
- 9
Once cooled, divide the bean paste into 6 equal portions and roll them into balls.
About 5 min
- 10
In a separate bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and granulated sugar for the dough.
About 2 min
- 11
Add the vegetable oil and water to the dry ingredients and mix until a soft dough forms.
About 3 min
Cook’s note: Do not overmix; a few lumps are fine.
- 12
Divide the dough into 6 equal pieces.
About 1 min
- 13
Flatten each piece of dough into a circle, about 3-4 inches in diameter.
About 3 min
- 14
Place one adzuki bean paste ball in the center of each dough circle.
About 2 min
- 15
Gather the edges of the dough around the filling, pinching them together at the top to seal the manju.
About 5 min
Cook’s note: Ensure there are no gaps for the filling to escape.
- 16
Carefully place the sealed manju, seam-side down, onto individual squares of parchment paper.
About 2 min
Cook’s note: The parchment prevents sticking to the steamer.
- 17
Prepare a steamer by bringing water to a boil in the bottom pot.
About 5 min
- 18
Arrange the manju in the steamer basket, ensuring they are not touching each other.
About 1 min
Cook’s note: Steam in batches if necessary.
- 19
Steam the manju for 10-12 minutes, or until the dough is cooked through and plump.
About 12 min
Cook’s note: Do not oversteam, or the dough can become tough.
- 20
Carefully remove the manju from the steamer and let them cool slightly before serving.
About 2 min
Cook’s note: They are best served warm or at room temperature.
Keep it good
Store leftover manju in an airtight container at room temperature.
Reheat gently in a steamer for a few minutes until warm.
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