Red Bean Steamed Buns from Spirited Away
Soft fluffy steamed buns with sweet azuki bean paste filling — the kind eaten by the bathhouse workers in the spirit world.
In Spirited Away the spirit world is full of food: flatbreads, stir-fries, steaming dishes on the bathhouse shelves. The steamed buns have a special place — soft, airy, with a lightly sweet filling. We made classic mantou with azuki paste: easy to prepare at home and every bit as cozy as you want after watching your favorite anime.
🧺 Ingredients
🍽 8 servings👩🍳 Method
- 1
Activate the yeast
Mix warm milk with sugar and yeast, leave for 5 minutes until foamy.
- 2
The dough
Add the flour and oil, knead into a soft smooth dough. Cover and let rise for 1 hour in a warm spot.
- 3
Shaping
Divide the dough into 8–10 balls. Roll each into a 10 cm circle. Place 1 tbsp of azuki paste in the center.
- 4
Proofing
Pinch the edges together, gathering the dough upwards. Place seam-side down on a square of parchment. Let rest for 20 minutes.
- 5
Steaming
Steam in a steamer or over a pot of boiling water for 12–15 minutes, covered. Serve hot.
💡 Tips
- 💡
Ready-made anko paste is sold in Asian stores. If you can't find it, boil red beans with sugar until they form a paste.
- 💡
Don't lift the steamer lid for the first 10 minutes or the buns will collapse.
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