Things I love about winter in Japan: zenzai

I feel like there are lots of sweets in Japan that are quite "Insta-worthy," and consequently they get a fair bit of love from people—I'm talking about things like the fluffy souffle-style pancakes or colorful kakigori with various fruity toppings that get plastered over social media because they look aesthetically pleasing.

One sweet that I don't think gets the love of many others, and it's something I really enjoy in winter here, is zenzai.

The sweet red bean "soup" has chewy mochi pieces in it, and I feel like it's super underrated in the shadow of other treats. It's popular to eat around the new year's period, so if you know somewhere that sells it near you it's a nice way to enjoy a traditional treat to start 2025 with. I love how warming and comforting it feels, and since it's red bean based I feel like it at least has some nutritional benefit ;)