Black sesame sweet soup is a traditional Chinese dessert. The thick, inky mixture is known for its nutty aroma and its rich, toasted sesame flavor.

Chefs make the treat by toasting black sesame seeds at a very high heat, then grinding them in a blender with rice and water. Then comes the difficult part: Slowly simmering everything, along with more water, until it reaches the appropriate viscosity. The mixture is so thick, it requires constant stirring, or it will quickly burn. After receiving a jolt of sweetness from Chinese rock sugar, it’s served hot.

At most sweet soup shops, you can tell when a place serves an amazing bowl because the sweet sesame aroma smacks you in the face as you walk in the door.