Mom's Black Sesame Soup (芝麻糊)

This is my Mom’s recipe for Black Sesame Soup, a classic Chinese dessert that’s smooth, fragrant, and deeply comforting. Known as zhi ma hu (芝麻糊), it’s often served warm and thick -- almost like a pudding. The nutty aroma of roasted black sesame fills the kitchen as it simmers on the stove, and every spoonful brings back memories of cozy evenings at home.

What is black sesame?

Black sesame seeds are small, flat seeds with a deep, nutty flavor and a striking dark color.

Commonly used in Asian cuisine, they’re prized for their rich taste and high nutritional value.

They're packed with healthy fats, calcium, and antioxidants.

Compared to white sesame seeds, black sesame has a more intense, roasted flavor.

What does it taste like?

The seeds have a rich, nutty flavor and is very aromatic, similar to its cousin, tahini, which is made of white sesame seeds. 

What is black sesame soup?

Black Sesame Soup (芝麻糊), [also black sesame paste] is a traditional Chinese dessert made from toasted black sesame seeds blended with rice and water, then cooked into a smooth, velvety soup.

It's typically served warm and sweetened with rock sugar.

With its rich nutty flavor and smooth texture, it’s popular for both its taste and its nourishing qualities.

In Asian supermarkets, you can find instant black sesame soup in powdered form.

However, it's just as easy to make the base black sesame paste from scratch, without the chemicals and preservatives commonly found in the packaged form.

The consistency can be thicker (like a pudding), or thin (watered down) depending on preference.

During Chinese New Year, glutinous rice balls (tangyuan) are commonly added to the dessert soup.

Why you'll love this recipe

Simple to make: its a classic Chinese dessert soup that comes together all in one pot. 

Delicious and not too sweet: smooth and naturally dairy-free, with deep sesame flavor.

Nostalgic and healing: in Chinese Traditional Medicine, it's believed to help nourish skin and hair.

Minimal ingredients: you can make this black sesame soup with just a few Asian pantry ingredients.

Customizable: easily adjust the consistency of the black sesame paste by adding more water for a looser, soup texture.

Ingredients you'll need

Similar to Chinese red bean soup, black sesame soup is a sweet, Chinese dessert made with:

• black sesame seeds: ground up into a powder; you can also use black sesame powder if you have that on hand, or black sesame paste (which is thicker and concentrated)
• sweetener: such as Chinese rock sugar, honey or granulated sugar
• rice flour: acts as a thickener; made from long grain rice
• glutinous rice flour: acts as a thickener and gives it a velvety texture; made from long or short-grained sweet rice; also used in tang yuan or mochi
• water

Note: If you're not able to find the rice flours, you can omit it. The soup will be much lighter in texture.

How to make black sesame powder at home

Toast the seeds:

Add black sesame seeds to a dry pan over medium-low heat.

Stir constantly for 3-5 minutes until fragrant and they begin to pop. Let cool.

Grind:

Transfer cooled seeds to a spice grinder or coffee grinder.

Pulse in short bursts until finely ground. Note: Avoid over-blending, which can turn it into a paste.

Store:

Transfer to an airtight container and store in the fridge or freezer to preserve freshness.

How to make Chinese black sesame soup

Combine all the ingredients in a small saucepot.

Bring to a simmer over medium-low heat, whisking (or stirring) consistently.

Once thickened, add in sweetener of your choice, and stir until completely dissolved. 

Give it a taste and adjust for sweetness. 

If the soup is too thick, add a little more water and stir until smooth, or until your desired consistency.

Stir in a little coconut oil, if desired (optional). 

How to serve 

Black sesame soup is traditionally served warm, however, you can serve it chilled as well.

How to store & reheat

Store the black sesame paste dessert in a clean airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.

Gently reheat on the stovetop (or in the microwave) before serving.

Other black sesame recipes you may like

Other Asian dessert recipes you may like