Translation guide
A small white bean commonly used in baked beans and soups. In Japanese, it is usually referred to by its specific variety name or as a type of white bean.
navy bean
Most common term, though it can refer to other small white beans.
Referring to the small, white navy bean as a food item or cooking ingredient.
Literally 'white kidney bean', this is the most common way to refer to navy beans in Japanese, though it can also encompass other small white beans.
In Japanese cooking, specific bean names are often used. If you are looking for navy beans in a store, '白いんげん豆' is your best bet, but they might be labeled as '手亡豆' if intended for sweet bean paste.
This soup has navy beans in it.
Direct loanword from English. Used in some recipes or health food contexts, but not as widely recognized as the Japanese term.
Navy beans are rich in dietary fiber.
Specifically refers to a variety of white bean often used for making white bean paste (shiroan). It is technically a type of navy bean, but this term is mostly used in confectionery contexts.
Navy beans are the ingredient for white bean paste.