Black Sesame Paste with Mini Rice Balls | IDDSI Level 4 Dessert Recipe

IDDSI Level 4 (Pureed) | 20 minutes | Easy

Black sesame paste (芝麻糊) is one of the four pillars of Hong Kong’s tong sui (糖水) dessert culture, alongside tofu pudding, almond paste and walnut paste. Rich, fragrant and deeply nourishing, it is made from ground black sesame seeds mixed with water and sweetener to form a smooth, flowing paste that is naturally Level 4. This version uses a high-quality instant sesame paste base for convenience, with the option of adding thoroughly cooked mini glutinous rice balls for an additional texture element and cultural connection to traditional festive desserts.

Ingredients (4 servings)

Black sesame paste:

• 120g instant black sesame paste powder (市售即食黑芝麻糊粉)
• 600ml hot water (or per package instructions)
• 2 teaspoons rock sugar or yellow sugar (to taste — many commercial products already contain sugar)
• 100ml whole milk (optional, for creaminess and additional calcium)

Mini rice balls (optional):

• 8–12 mini sesame glutinous rice balls (approximately 1.5cm diameter)

Method

Sesame paste:

1. Follow the instant sesame paste package instructions for the base ratio (typically 30g powder per 150ml hot water). Stir continuously while pouring hot water to prevent lumps.
2. Whisk until completely smooth with no dry powder remaining.
3. Stir in warm milk (optional). Taste and adjust sweetness.
4. The paste should be pourable and flow slowly — consistent with Level 4. If too thick, thin with a small amount of hot water.

Mini rice balls (if using): 5. Bring a separate pot of water to a boil. Add mini rice balls. 6. Once balls float to the surface, continue cooking for a further 5 minutes to ensure complete softening throughout. 7. Remove with a slotted spoon, drain briefly.

Assembly: 8. Ladle hot sesame paste into bowls. Gently place 2–3 cooked mini rice balls on top. Serve immediately.

Texture Test

IDDSI Level 4 confirmation: Black sesame paste scooped with a spoon flows slowly and cannot hold a shape — Level 4 pureed. Mini rice balls pressed with a spoon should flatten and collapse without springing back.

Important: The sesame paste alone is reliably Level 4. The mini rice balls require individual testing — press each one before serving to confirm adequate softness.

Safety Notes

⚠️ Mini rice balls only — use only mini glutinous rice balls (approximately 1.5cm diameter). Standard-sized rice balls (2.5–3cm) are a choking hazard and must not be used.

⚠️ Natural stickiness — glutinous rice retains adhesive properties even when cooked. Residents requiring Level 3 or below should omit the rice balls and enjoy only the sesame paste.

⚠️ Sugar content — commercial instant sesame paste powders vary significantly in sugar content. Check the nutritional label; residents managing diabetes should choose unsweetened versions and sweeten minimally.

⚠️ Sesame allergy — sesame is a common allergen. Confirm no sesame allergy before serving.

⚠️ Rich in fat — black sesame is high in healthy unsaturated fats; consume in moderation during periods of gastrointestinal upset.

Sourcing in Hong Kong

• Instant black sesame paste powder: Nanshun (南順) brand is the most widely available and reliable; also available from Hup Fat (合味) and similar brands at PARKnSHOP, Wellcome and 759 Aeon
• Mini sesame glutinous rice balls: Frozen section at PARKnSHOP and Wellcome — look for the mini variety (迷你款) specifically
• Whole milk: All major supermarkets

Nutrition

Approximately 220 kcal per serving (including 3 rice balls), 180mg calcium, 3mg iron. Black sesame is one of the richest plant-based sources of calcium and iron available in Cantonese cuisine — highly beneficial for elderly residents at risk of osteoporosis or iron-deficiency anaemia. The dish also provides healthy unsaturated fats from sesame and carbohydrate energy from the rice balls.

Cultural Note

Black sesame paste is one of the most culturally embedded of all Hong Kong desserts — part of a quartet of traditional pastes (四大糊: sesame, almond, peanut, walnut) that have anchored Cantonese tong sui culture for generations. It is associated with warmth, nourishment and the idea of “補” (tonic nourishment) that runs throughout traditional Cantonese food philosophy. Black sesame in particular has long been believed to benefit hair and kidney function in traditional Chinese medicine, making it a particular favourite among older generations. Serving this at IDDSI Level 4 with carefully cooked mini rice balls allows elderly residents with dysphagia to experience this culturally resonant dessert in a form that is genuinely safe, genuinely delicious and genuinely theirs.