Last update September 9, 2025

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Japanese Food - Zenzai -

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Zenzai ぜんざい, 善哉 Sweet Bean Soup with Rice Cakes Similar to Oshiruko, Zenzai is a sweet Azuki bean soup served with Mochi (rice cakes) or Shira Tama (white dumplings) inside. By either name, it’s quite a sweet treat for an exhausted body and mind in winter. However, regionally, in the Kansai region, Zenzai refers to a grain An soup with Mochi, which may be dubbed “Oshiruko” in the Kanto region, where Zenzai may denote Mochi or Shira Tama covered with thick An. Well, people may say different things depending on the area. The important thing is that we can enjoy the food. To support that, the word Zenzai also reads as “Yoi Kana”, meaning “Well done!” or “Very good!”, and it is derived from the salutation the Buddha gave his disciples in approval of their efforts. So, let’s enjoy Zenzai, appreciating the effort the cook has put into preparing it for us. Zenzai served at a restaurant. Zenzai served at a restaurant.

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