Homemade Doubanjiang from Broad Beans🌱

Inspired by a recipe tucked inside a yogurt maker manual, this post marks my first adventure into making doubanjiang from scratch—with broad beans I grew myself.

🌱 Inspired by a Yogurt Maker Manual

Last year, when I bought the TANICA yogurt maker “KAMOSICO,” I discovered a recipe for doubanjiang in the included booklet. That was the moment I learned doubanjiang is traditionally made from broad beans—and I felt a strong urge to try making it myself.

🫘 Growing Broad Beans in Akita

Since overwintering broad beans is tricky here in Akita, I planted a spring variety called Issunbōshi.

On February 22nd, still in the chill of winter, I sowed the seeds in pots and raised them in the sunroom.

After transplanting them into the garden, I hoped for enough beans to enjoy fresh—and still have plenty left for doubanjiang.

The flowers bloomed, the pods formed,

and when they began to droop downward, it was harvest time.

Time to make doubanjiang!

🧂 First Batch: TANICA Yogurt Maker Recipe

• Broad beans (peeled): 230g
• Rice koji: 100g
• Salt: 15g
• Water: 100ml
• Chili powder: 15g (added another 15g later)

Boil the beans, puree them in a food processor, and mix with all ingredients except chili powder.
Ferment at 60°C for 6 hours using the yogurt maker.

After fermentation, mix in the chili powder.
It wasn’t spicy enough, so I added another 15g later.

The left jar is the first batch with extra chili, the right is the second batch using a different recipe.

🤖 Second Batch: AI-Inspired Recipe

I asked an AI how to make doubanjiang, and here’s what it suggested:

• Broad beans: 150g
• Shio-koji: 50g
• Miso: 30g
• Chili powder: 15g (original recipe said 30g, but 15g was perfect)
• Salt: 1 tsp

Boil and puree the beans, mix all ingredients, and ferment at 60°C for 6 hours.
This version includes chili powder during fermentation, resulting in a mellow, umami-rich flavor.

Comparing the two batches was a joy—each with its own character.

🎬 Watch the Process

While the video doesn’t have English subtitles, you can still follow the visual steps:
調理の様子は動画で