Yokan

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A type of Japanese dessert that consists of a firm jelly made from sweetened red bean paste and agar-agar
2. A traditional confectionery from Japan, typically shaped into blocks and served chilled, made with azuki beans and gelatin
3. A delicacy originating in Japan, which is characterized by its smooth texture and is often enjoyed as a sweet treat with tea

Etymology: Yōkan is a Japanese confection whose name carries a surprising trace of China. The first character, 羊, means "sheep," and the second, 羹, means "thick soup" or "broth," so the literal sense is something like "sheep soup." The dish has no sheep and no soup in it, a mismatch that reflects its origins: the term came from a Chinese culinary tradition of thick meat broths, and the sweet version that now bears the name developed in Japan, where the name was retained even after the ingredients changed. Today's yōkan is made from red bean paste (an) sweetened with sugar, set with agar, and usually firmed into a block that is sliced for serving. Agar, a gelling agent derived from seaweed, is what gives it the firm, clean-cutting texture that distinguishes it from softer bean desserts. The sweet form is the one that is generally known outside Japan, and the name is now used almost exclusively for it.

Synonyms: gelatin, sweet jelly