Looking for a dessert to warm your heart and soul this winter? Taiwanese Red Bean Soup with Tang Yuan (紅豆湯圓) is the ultimate comforting dish. Loved across Asian households, this sweet treat combines smooth red bean soup with soft, chewy glutinous rice balls. Perfect for family gatherings, festive occasions, or a cozy evening at home, this recipe will bring warmth and joy to your table.
Why Choose Red Bean Soup with Tang Yuan?
This delightful dessert is steeped in tradition. In Taiwanese and Chinese culture, tang yuan symbolizes unity and togetherness, making it a staple for festivals like the Lantern Festival. The smooth, naturally sweet red bean soup, rich in protein and fiber, perfectly complements the soft, chewy tang yuan, creating a delightful harmony of textures and flavors.
The Tradition Behind Tang Yuan and Winter Solstice in Taiwan
In Taiwanese culture, Tang Yuan (湯圓) is more than just a dessert. It’s a symbol of unity and family togetherness, making it an essential part of Dongzhi Festival (冬至), or the Winter Solstice. Celebrated as one of the most significant festivals in Taiwan, the Winter Solstice marks the longest night of the year.
Families come together to prepare tang yuan, sharing the joy of rolling these glutinous rice balls by hand. Traditionally, tang yuan represents reunion and completeness, and enjoying them during the winter solstice is believed to bring good fortune and harmony. Combining tang yuan with red bean soup elevates the dish, creating a sweet, hearty dessert that resonates with warmth and love.
Nutritional Benefits:
- Red beans: High in protein and fiber, they promote digestive health and provide long-lasting energy.
- Glutinous rice flour: Gluten-free and easily digestible, perfect for those with gluten sensitivities.
- Rock sugar: A natural sweetener with a mild flavor.
Taiwanese Red Bean Soup with Tang Yuan – A Winter Delight
Course: All Recipes, Dessert, Soup, Taiwan FoodIngredients
For the Red Bean Soup:
200g red beans
1.5L water
50g rock sugar
For the Tang Yuan:
200g glutinous rice flour
100ml warm water
Optional: Sesame or peanut filling
Directions
- Make the Red Bean Soup:
- Soak the red beans overnight.
- In a pot, bring beans and water to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until soft (about 1.5 hours).
- Add rock sugar for flavor.
- Prepare Tang Yuan: Or you can buy it frozen/ ready to eat.
- Mix glutinous rice flour with warm water and knead into a smooth dough.
- Divide the dough and roll into small balls.
- Cook the Tang Yuan:
- Boil water in a pot. Add tang yuan and cook until they float (3–5 minutes).
- Transfer to the red bean soup and serve hot.
Notes
- If you’re using frozen tang yuan, you can simply cook them by placing them into a pot of cold water. Once the water comes to a boil, the tang yuan are ready to eat. For best results, refer to the cooking instructions on the packaging to ensure they are prepared perfectly.
Looking for the perfect winter dessert? Try pairing this recipe with a savory winter favorite like Sesame Oil Chicken Soup. The comforting warmth of this duo is guaranteed to brighten up even the coldest evenings.
Complete your meal with a savory twist! Pair this dessert with Scrambled Eggs with Shrimp for a delightful balance of sweet and savory flavors. Need ingredients?
Shop for authentic red beans and glutinous rice flour easily on Amazon.
Curious about the health benefits of red beans? Discover more on Healthline!
