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    Home ยป Recipes ยป Desserts

    Oozy Matcha Tang Yuan

    Published: Feb 18, 2019 by Michelle ยท 12 Comments

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    Jump to Recipe - Print Recipe

    This is a recipe for my Oozy Matcha Tang Yuan, or matcha glutinous rice balls. They are chewy in texture, with a flowing matcha milk jam filling on the inside.

    Bitten matcha tang yuan on spoon, on a small plate, jar of matcha milk jam in background.
    It's nearing the end of Chinese New Year, and I need to share one more recipe... Oozy Matcha Tang Yuan.

    Tang yuan are traditionally eaten during the Chinese New Year and Winter Solstice.

    These round morsels are fun to eat with its chewy, soft texture. 

    What is tang yuan?

    Tang yuan ("soup balls") are Chinese glutinous rice ball dumplings made with glutinous rice flour.

    They're usually filled with something sweet (like red bean paste, crushed peanut) or something savoury.

    However, they can also be unfilled. 

    The glutinous rice gives the tang yuan its chewy and sticky texture.

    Matcha tang yuan on a small pink and white plate, jar of matcha milk jam in background.

    When is it eaten? 

    Tang yuan is eaten during family gatherings such as reunions, Chinese New Year, and weddings. 

    The roundness of the dumplings symbolizes unity and togetherness. 

    Is it vegan?

    Yes, tang yuan is vegan.

    I've used a vegan version of my Green Tea Spread for the filling to keep the recipe vegan.

    Bitten matcha tang yuan on spoon, on a small plate, jar of matcha milk jam in background.

    Ingredients you'll need:

    The tang yuan dough is very simple.

    There are only 2 ingredients for the tang yuan:

    • glutinous rice flour: is different than rice flour; it's also known as sticky rice flour, or sweet rice flour and can be made from short-grained or long-grained rice. This ingredient gives the tang yuan its chewy texture.
    • hot water: denatures the flour which results in a softer, pliable dough.

    How to make the dough

    The preparation of the glutinous rice balls is quite straightforward.

    You can form the balls however large or small you like. (For these, I formed them into a small golf ball).

    • Combine the hot boiled water with the glutinous rice flour. 
    • Mix the ingredients together until it forms a rough dough.
    • Use your hands to knead until a smooth dough forms. 
    • Portion them into a small golf ball.

    Matcha tang yuan on a small plate, jar of matcha milk jam in background.

    How to make the filling

    I used a vegan variation of my Matcha/Green Tea Spread and popped them into these chewy, soft, glutinous rice balls.

    The matcha green tea filling gently oozes out while it's eaten warm.

    • Make a batch of the green tea spread. Chill in the fridge.
    • Use a small melon baller to scoop out small balls of the matcha filling onto a plate lined with plastic.
    • Finally, freeze the matcha "balls" until firm (a few hours). 

    How to assemble

    Roll each piece of dough into a ball and make a large indent with your thumb.

    Place the frozen matcha filling and enclose it with the dough, pinching to close.

    Repeat with the remainder. 

    I like serving these with a simple ginger sugar syrup, but if you're feeling ambitious, you could do a red bean or black sesame soup.

    How to cook 

    Fill a pot with water and bring to a boil.

    Add the tang yuan to the water and cook for 2-3 minutes, until they float to the top, stirring every so often so they donโ€™t stick to the bottom of the pot.

    Serve warm with ginger syrup or a sweet soup.

    Bitten matcha tang yuan on spoon, on a small plate, jar of matcha milk jam in background.
    How to serve & store

    Tang yuan is best enjoyed warm.

    Like any other food made with glutinous rice flour, tang yuan does harden when it is cold. Itโ€™s advisable to only cook as many tang yuan as you are able to consume.

    If youโ€™re not able to finish the tang yuan, store the cooked tang yuan in a container in the fridge. 

    You can gently reheat the tang yuan in boiling water prior to serving. 

    Can I freeze them?

    Yes, place the uncooked tang yuan onto a baking sheet with parchment paper and freeze until hardened (1-2 hours).

    Then transfer the frozen tang yuan into a freezer-safe container and store for up to 3 months.

    To reheat, add the frozen tang yuan into a pot of boiling water.

    Reduce the heat and cook for 7-8 minutes, stirring occasionally. 

    Other recipes you may like

    If you like mochi and matcha treats, you may like:

    Matcha Brownie Brochi

    Korean Matcha Mochi Bread

    Matcha Hotteok (Sweet Korean Pancakes)

    Matcha Red Bean Mochi

    As always, I'd love to see your creations -- let me know if you try my recipe for Oozy Matcha Tang Yuan. Tag me on Instagram @siftandsimmer or leave me a comment/rating below.

    Bitten oozy matcha tang yuan on spoon, on a small plate, jar of matcha milk jam in background, with text overlay.

    Matcha Tang Yuan3
    Print Recipe
    5 from 5 votes

    Oozy Matcha Tang Yuan (Glutinous Rice Balls)

    A recipe for oozy matcha tang yuan, or matcha glutinous rice balls. Chewy in texture, with an oozy matcha milk jam filling on the inside.
    Prep Time45 mins
    Cook Time5 mins
    Total Time50 mins
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: Asian, Chinese
    Servings: 18 pcs
    Calories: 65kcal
    Author: Michelle

    For accuracy and precision in baking recipes, use weight (metric) measurements when available.

    Ingredients

    Filling:

    • 1 batch Vegan Matcha Green Tea Spread

    Dough:

    • 2 C glutinous rice flour
    • 1 C hot boiled water
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    Instructions

    Make the matcha green tea filling:

    • Make the matcha filling a day before you want to make the tang yuan.
    • Using a small melon baller, scoop out small portions of Matcha Green Tea Spread and place them onto a plate lined with plastic wrap.
    • Put the plate into the freezer for a few hours to solidify the matcha fillings.

    Make the dough:

    • In a medium mixing bowl, add the glutinous rice flour, make a well, and pour in the hot water in the center.
    • Use a silicone spatula or a pair of chopsticks to mix together and form a dough. If the dough appears dry, add 1 tablespoon of water and keep mixing. Use your hands to feel the dough -- it should be able to form a ball without it being sticky. If the dough is too wet, add a little more glutinous rice flour.
    • Break off small chunks of dough, about the size of a small golf ball. Roll into a ball, and use your thumb to make an indent.
    • Remove the matcha filling from the freezer. Place one of the fillings in the center of the dough ball and enclose, pinching the dough together and roll gently so it forms a round sphere.ย  Place onto a plate lined with plastic wrap. Repeat with the remainder.
    • Note: Tang yuan can be frozen at this stage. Place into a freezer-safe container (be sure to leave some space between the spheres or they will stick together) for up to 3 months.

    Cook the tang yuan:

    • Fill a small pot with water. Bring to a boil over high heat. Gently drop in the tang yuan and let them simmer for 2-3 minutes, until they float to the top. Reduce the heat a little so that they don't explode.
    • Carefully scoop out the glutinous rice balls with a slotted spoon and place into a bowl.
    • Serve warm with ginger sugar syrup.

    Notes

    Tang yuan is best served warm. The texture of the glutinous rice balls will become hard when chilled. Reheat in simmering water prior to serving.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 65kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Potassium: 14mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Calcium: 2mg | Iron: 1mg

    The nutritional information provided should be considered as approximate and is not guaranteed. Please use your best judgment to ensure food is safely prepared and/or a good fit for your diet.

    Did you try this recipe?Mention @siftandsimmer or tag #siftandsimmer!
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Ling

      February 28, 2019 at 4:41 am

      Hi, I just saw the matcha tang yuan you made!!! That's amazing!! I am from China and live in Berlin. Pity this year I didn't eat any tang yuan yet. But I think I can try to cook once with your recipe. Thanks for sharing!

      Reply
    2. Ling

      February 28, 2019 at 5:03 am

      Hi, I am Ling and just saw the matcha tang yuan you made! That's amazing!! I am also from China and unfortunately I didn't have the chance to eat tang yuan this year. Because I live in Berlin now and don't like the black sesame and peanut filling in the Asian supermarket. But I am thinking of I can cook by myself with your recipe. Thanks for sharing!!

      Reply
    3. Josiah - DIY Thrill

      February 18, 2021 at 5:34 pm

      These soup balls look so delicious, I want to try some!

      Reply
      • Michelle

        February 19, 2021 at 7:03 am

        Thanks Josiah! They're a fun treat! ๐Ÿ™‚

    4. Diana Reis

      April 07, 2021 at 9:13 am

      5 stars
      These are amazing. I would never have thought to try something like this, but the instructions made it so easy. Thank you!

      Reply
      • Michelle

        April 10, 2021 at 8:34 am

        Glad to hear the instructions were helpful ๐Ÿ™‚ Thanks Diana

    5. Beth

      April 07, 2021 at 9:18 am

      5 stars
      These are so delicious. I'll surely be making them again. We loved them. Thanks

      Reply
      • Michelle

        April 10, 2021 at 8:34 am

        Yay, thank you Beth! ๐Ÿ™‚

    6. Jamie

      April 07, 2021 at 10:08 am

      5 stars
      Oh this looks so good! I love tang yuan but never tried it with matcha before. Saving to try this weekend.

      Reply
    7. Lauren Vavala

      April 07, 2021 at 10:20 am

      5 stars
      What an interesting recipe! I want to try it because I live matcha, but I have a feeling my kids are going to love making these too!

      Reply
    8. Sara Welch

      April 07, 2021 at 11:01 am

      5 stars
      Such a unique and unexpected recipe! Not only was it easier than I initially thought, but hands down delicious; my whole family loved it!

      Reply
      • Michelle

        April 10, 2021 at 8:33 am

        Glad your family loved it Sara! The oozing matcha is the fun part! ๐Ÿ˜‰

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