Dessert · Japanese ·

Japanese Sweet Potato Yokan with Red Bean Paste

Name: Japanese Sweet Potato Yokan with Red Bean Paste
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 90 min
Total time: 120 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: Dessert
Ingredients: 2 large Japanese sweet potatoes, skin on, washed; 1 cup sugar; 1 cup water; 1 tablespoon agar-agar powder; 1 cup readymade red bean paste (anko); 2 tablespoons sugar, optional, adjust to taste; 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract; Toasted sesame seeds; Edible gold flakes

A traditional Japanese confection made with sweet potatoes and red bean paste, offering a unique blend of flavors and a wonderful texture that's perfect for dessert or a sweet snack.

4.7(534 reviews)

·By Ethan Brooks·July 27, 2025

Japanese Sweet Potato Yokan with Red Bean Paste — Dessert served and photographed from above

Prep

30 min

Cook

1 h 30 min

Difficulty

Intermediate

Serves

Ingredients

Servings

For the Sweet Potato Base

For the Red Bean Paste Layer

For Garnishing

Nutrition

Per serving

Calories: 294 kcal
Protein: 2.58 g
Carbs: 67 g
Fat: 0.83 g
Fiber: 4.33 g

Whole recipe

Total

Calories: 1766 kcal
Protein: 15.5 g
Carbs: 402 g
Fat: 5 g
Fiber: 26 g

Breakdown by ingredient▾

Ingredient	Cal	P	C	F	Fib
2 large Japanese sweet potatoes skin on, washed	500	6	118	0	16
1 cup sugar	774	0	200	0	0
1 cup water	0	0	0	0	0
1 tablespoon agar-agar powder	10	0	3	0	0
1 cup readymade red bean paste (anko)	330	8	55	1	9
2 tablespoons sugar optional, adjust to taste	96	0	24	0	0
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract	6	0	0	0	0
Toasted sesame seeds	50	1.5	2	4	1
Edible gold flakes	0	0	0	0	0

These are estimates, not dietary advice.

Preparation

Get these tasks done before you start cooking.

Preparing the Sweet Potatoes

1
Steam the sweet potatoes
Steam the sweet potatoes for about 30-40 minutes until tender.
Tip: Ensure the sweet potatoes are steamed thoroughly for a silky-smooth texture.
2
Peel and mash
Peel and mash the sweet potatoes until smooth.
3
Incorporate agar-agar
Dissolve the agar-agar in the water, then stir into the mashed sweet potatoes.
Tip: Pass the sweet potato mixture through a fine sieve for a perfectly smooth base.

Preparing the Red Bean Paste Layer

1
Heat the red bean paste
In a small saucepan, gently heat the red bean paste with sugar and vanilla extract if using.
Tip: Don't overcook the red bean paste, or it will become too thick.
2
Stir until smooth
Stir continuously until smooth and slightly thickened.
3
Cool to room temperature
Let cool to room temperature.

How to Make Japanese Sweet Potato Yokan with Red Bean Paste

Total time: 2 h · Yields 6 servings

1
Sweet Potato Layer Formation
Pour the sweet potato mixture into a mold and allow it to set slightly.
2
Red Bean Layer Addition
Spread the red bean paste over the sweet potato base evenly.
3
Final Setting
Allow the yokan to cool and set completely in the fridge for at least 1 hour.