Food · Staple foods
Kinako (Roasted Soybean Flour)
きな粉 (Kinako)
Also known as: Roasted Soybean Flour
At a glance
| Category | Food |
|---|---|
| INCI name | Glycine Soja (Soybean) Flour (cosmetic use) |
| Japanese labeling name | ダイズ粉末 |
| Common Japanese notations | きな粉, キナコ, 黄な粉 |
| Origin | Plant-derived (roasted and ground soybeans) |
| Typical functions | Culinary ingredient (primary), Cosmetic specialty use |
| Regulatory status in Japan | Food regulated under the Food Sanitation Act. Cosmetic soybean-flour entries are handled under the JSCI dictionary. |
Kinako — roasted soybean flour with a distinctive pale-yellow color and nutty aroma — is a ubiquitous Japanese pantry item. It coats warabi-mochi, is dusted on dango, and is sprinkled on morning rice with sugar. In specialty cosmetic applications, powdered soybean-based ingredients reference this traditional material.
Classification
Tags below link to other ingredients sharing the same attribute, so you can pivot from one ingredient to its peers.
Product applications
Functions
Regulatory tags
Origin
Used in (typical product categories)
Finished-product categories that commonly include this ingredient in Japanese-market formulations.
- Traditional confectionery coating (dango, warabi-mochi)
- Breakfast toppings
- Cleansing powder cosmetic applications
What it is
Kinako is produced by dry-roasting whole soybeans and then grinding them to a fine powder. The roasting process produces Maillard-derived aromas and the characteristic color. The final product is a free-flowing powder with the natural nutritional composition of soybeans — proteins, fats, isoflavones, and fiber.
Typical uses in Japanese products
In food, kinako is most famous as the coating for warabi-mochi, dango, and various wagashi; it is also mixed with sugar and served on morning rice.
Cosmetic use is niche and generally specific to traditional-style cleansing preparations.
Regulatory classification in Japan
Food regulation under Food Sanitation Act. Cosmetic-grade soybean flour falls under relevant JSCI entries.
Regulatory classification in other markets
| EU | Glycine Soja (Soybean) Flour is listed in CosIng. |
|---|---|
| USA | Food and cosmetic uses are established. |
| China | Permitted. |
| Korea | Similar roasted soybean flour (kongguk-su) exists in Korean cuisine. |
Example products
Example finished products will be added after each product's current full ingredient list has been verified.
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Related ingredients
References
- MAFF food classification — kinako
- JSCI labeling name directory — soybean flour entries
Last updated: 2026-04-22. Ingredient entries are reviewed at least annually against current regulatory listings.