Sticky rice balls with bean flour (Doumian Tangyuan)

In the northern part of China, one of the traditional snacks is called “Yuan Xiao”, which is a seasonal desert enjoyed during the Lantern Festival.

But in the South, people call it “Tang Yuan,” which can be translated as “sticky rice ball.”

In Kunming, there is a special cooking method for Tangyuan. The difference being the use of bean flour. After the Tangyuan is cooked, it is added to the bean flour, along with brown sugar syrup. The bean flour gives a special layer taste of Tangyuan, as well as reducing the sweetness of the fillings.

If the Tangyuan is a food for the Lantern Festival, then the Doumian Tangyuan is a street snack in Kunming. You can find it any of the rice noodle restaurants. Locals adore its special taste.

How can you prepare sticky rice balls with bean flour at home?

You can purchase fast-freeze sticky rice balls at a supermarket, then choose the filling you like.

1. Add frozen sticky rice balls into boiling water for about 8-10 minutes
2. Take them out into a bowl
3. Put some yellow bean flour into the pan and keep stirring until the flavour is released
4. Add two spoons of brown sugar into a small bowl, add some hot water to make the brown sugar become syrup-like
5. Put all the sticky rice balls into the bowl with the yellow bean flour and make sure that each of them is coated evenly and finally, add the brown sugar syrup on top