Kaichu Shiruko: Wagashi Instant Monaka Oshiruko Soup

As you may know, “Shiruko (しるこ, 汁粉)” or Oshiruko is a traditional Japanese red bean soup often eaten in the winter season with toasted Mochi rice cakes. 

But with this “Kaichu Shiruko (懐中しるこ: Pocket Shiruko)”, the soup dish can casually be enjoyed throughout the year.

Kaichu Shiruko (懐中しるこ)

Bunmeido Kaichu Shiruko

Kaichu Shiruko is a traditional Japanese sweet or Wagashi confection consisting of dried red bean paste covered in two thin crisp rice wafers called Monaka

It is a kind of instant Oshiruko soup prepared by soaking and dissolving the Monaka in a bowl of hot water.

Mokana Oshiruko

Today, a number of confectionery makers are producing Kaichu Monaka, but this one from “Bunmeido (文明堂)” is one of the best and most famous.

The product is available for 120 yen (about 1.1 USD) or so in many supermarkets, and I bought it near my house.

Preparation

Instant Monaka Shiruko

How to make Oshiruko soup from this Monaka is simple as follows; First, crush the Monaka before opening the bag. Then, place the crushed wafers in a bowl/cup.

After pouring about 130 ml of boiling water into the bowl, give it all a good stir with chopsticks or the like, and it’s ready to eat.

Taste

Monaka Shiruko from Bunmeido

In this Oshiruko soup, the water-absorbed Monaka rice wafers play a role like Mochi. 

The red bean soup is smooth with the right amount of sweetness and easy to drink, while the Mochi-like Monaka is soft with a nice chewy bite. 

The overall taste is quite good, so I can’t get enough of this Oshiruko soup!

Bunmeido Kaichu Shiruko Ingredients Nutrition Facts Calories Label

Tomo

Hi, I'm Tomo, a Japanese blogger living in Niigata Prefecture, Japan. For the purpose of enriching your life, I would like to introduce things about Japan on this blog, especially unique Japanese products, cooking recipes, cultures, and facts and trivia.

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