What is "shiruko"?

Shiruko, also known as sweet red bean soup, is a type of traditional Japanese dessert soup that is typically made from adzuki beans and sugar. The beans are boiled until they become soft and are then sweetened with sugar to create a thick and creamy soup. Shiruko may also include additional ingredients, such as mochi, which are small Japanese rice cakes, or shiratama dango, which are small glutinous rice dumplings. The soup is typically served hot and can be garnished with toasted sesame seeds or kinako, a type of roasted soybean flour. Shiruko is a popular dessert in Japan and is often served during special occasions and holidays.