Yamaguchi Uiro (Steamed Warabi and Red Bean Sweet)

Yamaguchi Uiro (Steamed Warabi and Red Bean Sweet)

Quick answer

Total time
25 min
Level
Easy
Servings
4 servings
Ingredients
4

About this dish

Uiro is a Japanese steamed sweet made by dissolving starch or flour with sugar and water, pouring the batter into a mold, and steaming it until set.

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The Yamaguchi style differs from heavier rice flour versions made elsewhere: warabi starch and smooth red bean paste give it a soft, gently trembling elasticity. This small recipe combines 20g warabi starch, 1 tablespoon sugar, 4 tablespoons water, and 60g prepared smooth anko. Adding the water gradually before the bean paste prevents dry lumps, while straining the batter produces an even surface. Fifteen minutes in a fully steaming pot sets the center. Slow cooling at room temperature preserves the supple texture that can become firm if chilled too quickly.

Ingredients

servings
IngredientAmountUnit
sugar1 tbsptbspShop
water4 tbsptbspShop
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Instructions

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

5 steps
  1. 1
    Control

    Add ample water to the steamer pot, cover, and bring it to a strong steam over high heat.

    Rinse a heatproof mold about 12cm wide with water and shake off the excess.

  2. 2
    Season

    Combine 20g warabi starch and 1 tablespoon sugar in a bowl.

    Add 4 tablespoons water in four additions, whisking until no dry starch lumps remain.

  3. 3
    Prep

    Add 60g prepared smooth red bean paste and mix until the thin batter is uniform in color.

    Pass it through a fine sieve, pressing any remaining starch or bean paste lumps through with a spatula.

  4. 4
    Control

    Pour the batter into the prepared mold and pop large surface bubbles with a skewer.

    Set it in the steaming pot, cover, and steam over medium-high heat for 15 minutes. Wrap the lid in a dry cloth so condensation does not drip onto the sweet.

  5. 5
    Step

    Remove it when the center looks translucent and a skewer comes out without wet batter.

    Cool in the mold at room temperature for 30 minutes, loosen the edges with a damp knife, unmold, and divide into 4 pieces.

Practical Cooking Checks

The cues that matter most while cooking.

Key technique
Twenty grams warabi starch and 60g smooth red bean paste
Finish cue
Remove it when the center looks translucent and a skewer comes out without wet batter.
Storage and reheating
Immediate refrigeration firms the steamed starch.

Cooking decision evidence

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

This recipe

25min, 4 ingredients

Category median

45min, 6 ingredients

Based on 144 recipes

Tips

Warabi starch forms small lumps if all the water is added at once. Add it gradually and dissolve the starch fully before mixing in the bean paste.
Immediate refrigeration firms the steamed starch. Cool at room temperature and eat the same day; refrigerate leftovers airtight and let them stand briefly before serving.

Estimated nutrition (per serving)

Calories
83
kcal
Protein
1
g
Carbs
20
g
Fat
0
g