Here is another popular type of Japanese Wagashi fit for Vegans and Vegetarians: Youkan!
Mizu Youkan
Yōkan (羊羹) is a thick jellied dessert made of red bean paste, agar (寒天/”kanten” in Japanese), and sugar. It is usually sold in a block form, and eaten in slices.
There are two main types: neri yōkan and mizu yōkan. “Mizu” means “water”, and indicates that it is made with more water than usual. Mizu yōkan is often chilled and eaten in summer.
Although most yōkan found in Japan and abroad are typically made with red bean paste, yōkan made from white kidney bean paste (しろあん, 白餡, “shiro an” in Japanese) are also relatively common. This type of yōkan is milky and translucent with a much milder flavour than the ones made of red bean paste.
Tea Youkan
As such, they can be effectively flavored and colored by using green tea powder or matcha.
MizuyōkanYōkan may also contains chopped chestnuts, persimmons, whole sweetened azuki beans, figs, and sweet potato, among other additions. Sugar can be also be substituted with honey, dark brown sugar, or molasses to alter the taste of the yōkan produced. There is also shio yōkan, which uses small amounts of salt (shio/塩) as an additive.
Other Pictures of Youkan:
I will introduce an easy recipe soon!
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I love 羊羹 !
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The great thing about yokan is that you can serve them all year round, either at room temperature or chilled!
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They look so elegant! I am looking forward to see the recipe: I have had agar agar for at least a year and never used it. (I love the last ones’ and the green tea wagashi’s colours!).
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Just posted a simple recipe!
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Love your japanesse recipes!
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Dea Friend!
Greetings from Shizuoka, Japan!
Thank you so much for your kind comment.
I’m no vegetarian or vegan but such priorities have earned their place in Gastronomy and it is always a pleasure to help. This is especially easy as vegetables occupy a very important place in Japanese gastronomy!
Best regards,
Robert-Gilles
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So beautiful. So delicious!
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