Mizu Yokan Recipe

By
Setsuko Yoshizuka
Setsuko Yoshizuka
Setsuko Yoshizuka is a freelance food writer and Japanese cookbook author.
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Updated on 01/25/23
Mizu yokan recipe

The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska

Prep: 60 mins
Cook: 15 mins
Total: 75 mins
Servings: 4 servings

Mizu Yokan is a traditional Japanese dessert, or wagashi, as it is known in Japanese cuisine. Yokan is a general term which refers to this jelly dessert made of red azuki beans, agar, and sugar. The red azuki beans are in the form of tsubuan (smooth red bean paste) or koshian (coarse red bean paste). In other variations of yokan, the red beans are substituted with a white kidney bean paste which is known as shiro-an. Yokan is typically molded into a long rectangular block which is then sliced prior to serving.

Mizu Yokan is a type of yokan which has a higher water content than traditional yokan. It is often chilled and served during the hotter summer months and is quite a refreshing dessert.

There are several flavor varieties of yokan and mizu yokan. Examples of additional ingredients include foods such as chopped chestnuts, sweet potato, and fruits. Another popular flavor addition is green tea or matcha powder.

Ingredients

  • 1 stick dried kanten (agar agar), or 2 teaspoons kanten (vegan gelatin powder)

  • 1 1/4 cups water

  • 1 cup brown sugar

  • 1 1/2 cups (3/4 pound) anko (sweet azuki red bean paste)

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Ingredients for mizu yokan
    The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska

  2. Prepare the gelatin mixture: In a large bowl, soak the dried kanten (agar agar) stick in water for one hour or until softened.

    Prepare gelatin
    The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska 

  3. Remove kanten from water and squeeze the softened kanten to remove excess water.

    Remove kanten from water
    The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska

  4. Using your hands, tear the kanten into small pieces.

    Tear kanten into pieces
    The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska

  5. In a medium pan, add the kanten pieces or kanten powder with 1 1/4 cups of water and bring to a boil, making sure to stir constantly. Turn down the heat to low. Simmer until the kanten dissolves completely. All the while, make sure to stir the kanten and water.

    Add kanten pieces
    The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska

  6. Next, add sugar and stir well.

    Add sugar
    The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska

  7. Add premade sweet red bean paste (anko or koshian). Stir constantly, making sure the bean paste is diluted in the agar agar and water mixture. Continue to simmer until the mixture thickens. Remove from heat.

    Add sweet red bean paste
    The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska 

  8. Pour the mixture into a shallow rectangular plastic container. Allow it to cool to room temperature and then store in the refrigerator to chill. The mizu yokan should become firm.

    Pour into container
    The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska

  9. Cut the mizu yokan into small blocks and serve chilled.

    Cut mizu yokan
    The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska

Tips

  • Use premade koshian (smooth red bean paste) or tsubuan (coarse red bean paste) available in the refrigerated section of Japanese grocery stores or other Asian markets.
  • Kanten (agar agar) is sold dried and in shelf-stable packages at most Japanese and Asian grocery stores.
  • Serve mizu – yokan chilled.
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
418 Calories
1g Fat
98g Carbs
8g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount per serving
Calories 418
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 1g 1%
Saturated Fat 0g 1%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 215mg 9%
Total Carbohydrate 98g 36%
Dietary Fiber 5g 17%
Total Sugars 82g
Protein 8g
Vitamin C 0mg 1%
Calcium 90mg 7%
Iron 2mg 9%
Potassium 298mg 6%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)