Shusse Imo Sweet Potato Wrapped in Red Bean Paste

Shusse Imo Sweet Potato Wrapped in Red Bean Paste

Quick answer

Total time
55 min
Level
Easy
Servings
4 servings
Ingredients
2

About this dish

Shusse imo is a Tokushima confection that wraps a neatly shaped cylinder of steamed sweet potato in smooth red bean paste, chills the roll, and cuts it into rounds.

Read more

Its playful name, meaning a potato that rose in status, is linked to a time when Tokushima sweet potatoes were shipped through Osaka under the name of a larger producing area. A slender potato gives an even core and makes the surrounding layer of bean paste easier to keep thin and regular. Steaming the potato in its skin, rather than boiling it in water, preserves its flavor while softening it throughout. The skin is removed while warm and only the thick areas are trimmed. Bean paste is spread into a rectangle on plastic wrap, rolled snugly around the potato, and rested in the refrigerator. Cutting through the wrap into pieces two to three centimeters thick keeps the round cross-section clean.

Ingredients

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Instructions

Read the steps as a cooking flow: prep, heat, seasoning, doneness control, and finish.

5 steps
  1. 1
    Control

    Scrub 230g sweet potato in its skin and trim only the ends.

    Bring ample water to a boil in a steamer, add the potato, cover, and steam over medium heat for 25 to 35 minutes.

  2. 2
    Step

    Remove when a skewer slides into the thickest part without resistance.

    Cool only until safe to handle, peel, and shave the thick areas to form a cylinder about 4cm across.

  3. 3
    Control

    Lay a 30cm sheet of plastic wrap on the work surface and press 300g smooth azuki paste into an even rectangle long and wide enough to cover the potato. Place the cooled potato in the center.

  4. 4
    Step

    Lift both sides of the wrap so the paste surrounds the potato completely and pinch the seam closed.

    Wrap tightly into a cylinder and chill for at least 30 minutes.

  5. 5
    Finish

    Cut the chilled roll through the wrap into pieces 2 to 3cm thick.

    Wipe the blade with a damp cloth between cuts so it does not drag the paste, then unwrap each piece and plate cut-side up.

Practical Cooking Checks

The cues that matter most while cooking.

Key technique
Only steamed sweet potato and smooth azuki paste
Finish cue
Cut the chilled roll through the wrap into pieces 2 to 3cm thick.
Storage and reheating
Bean paste is spread into a rectangle on plastic wrap, rolled snugly around the potato, and rested in the refrigerator.

Cooking decision evidence

Calculated Charim data and applicable official cooking and food safety guidance.

This recipe

55min, 2 ingredients

Category median

45min, 6 ingredients

Based on 144 recipes

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Tips

Wrapping a hot potato traps steam and makes the layers slide. Shape it while warm, but cool it through before covering with bean paste.
A transmitted variation uses steamed taro. Mash it while hot, form a cylinder, cool fully, and wrap it in the same way.

Estimated nutrition (per serving)

Calories
285
kcal
Protein
6
g
Carbs
63
g
Fat
1
g