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A Short History of Custard Pudding in Japan

History of Japanese custard pudding

When most people think of Japanese sweets, they think of beautiful treats wrapped in mochi or filled with anko. Those vegan sweets are delicious. But Japan also has their own unique versions of more Western sweets, like custard pudding. Purin as it is termed in Japanese, is the short form for “custard pudding,” and like many other sweets of western origin, this pudding emerged in Japan during the Meiji Period after the Edo policy of sakoku, or closed country, ended.

In North America, puddings like Boston creme, vanilla, and chocolate are more popular than the British-style custard-based flan. But Japan can’t get enough of the simple, delicious custard version. Since the Meiji period, Purin has been a popular dessert in cafes throughout Japan, along with treats like coffee jelly. During the postwar economic boom, Purin became one of the most popular and mass produced prepackaged dessert options. Japanese kids grow up eating Purin as a snack, and it has high nostalgia appeal for that reason.

A Short History of Custard Pudding in Japan

Purin varieties

In addition to the regular Purin, there are two other varieties:

Yaki Purin: pudding cooked in the oven;

Mushi Purin: steamed pudding.

Purin can also come in different flavors, such as matcha, sweet potato and pumpkin. These are fun to try for variety and not much harder to make than regular pudding! In the case of matcha, all you need is matcha powder to add the green tea flavor. Top it with adzuki beans and you are good to go. 

Vegan purin

Very egg and dairy-heavy, Japanese custard pudding is decidedly not vegan. But making a vegan version is easy. You can easily switch out the dairy-milk for a vegan option, such as soy milk. As for the eggs, there are different recipes online, however agar is often used to make the pudding solidify.

The pudding requires no ingredients unique to Japan. For most of the vegan purin recipes available online, you should be able to find the ingredients in your regular grocery store.

It’s also easy to flavour the vegan version with delicious toppings like cocoa powder, berries and compote, or kinako maple syrup.

For our vegan friends in Japan: 

If you do not feel like making your own pudding, but still want to try this dessert, the popular pudding brand Pucchin Purin has a plant-based version, which you can find in any grocery store. It does not contain any animal products. The main ingredients are soymilk, almonds and brown sugar (きび砂糖). Be careful if you are allergic to any of these ingredients. 

If you live in Kansai, we recommend checking out Branma pudding cafe in Kobe. They’re on Happy Cow because they’re an entirely vegan cafe. Try their delicious puddings, smoothies or doughnuts.

Have you ever tried making vegan Japanese pudding? We love it!

Originally published: 19.02.2020

Updated: 28.06.2021

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