Description
Miso Soup is a traditional Japanese comfort food known for its rich umami flavor and nourishing ingredients. This simple yet wholesome broth combines salty miso paste with delicate silken tofu, wakame seaweed, and fresh green onions, making it a perfect quick meal or starter. Its probiotic-rich base supports digestion and overall health, and it can be easily customized to suit various dietary preferences and tastes. Enjoy this warm, soothing soup year-round for a cozy, nutritious experience.
Ingredients
Scale
Base Ingredients
- 4 cups water
- 1 piece kombu seaweed (about 4 inches)
- 1/2 cup bonito flakes
Soup Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons miso paste (white, yellow, or red, to taste)
- 1/2 cup silken tofu, cubed
- 2 tablespoons dried wakame seaweed (rehydrated)
- 2 green onions, finely chopped
Instructions
- Prepare the Dashi Stock: Start by gently heating 4 cups of water with a piece of kombu seaweed. Remove the kombu just before the water reaches a boil, then add 1/2 cup bonito flakes and steep off heat for several minutes. Strain the liquid to create a clear, umami-rich dashi broth.
- Add Tofu and Wakame: Rehydrate 2 tablespoons dried wakame seaweed in water until tender. Add the cubed 1/2 cup silken tofu and soaked wakame to the dashi broth. Simmer gently over low heat, avoiding boiling to preserve delicate flavors.
- Incorporate Miso Paste: In a small bowl, dissolve 3 tablespoons of miso paste with a ladle of hot broth until smooth. Stir this mixture back into the pot, making sure the soup does not boil after adding miso to maintain probiotic benefits.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle finely chopped green onions over the soup and serve immediately to enjoy its nourishing warmth and complex taste.
Notes
- Never boil the soup once miso paste has been added to preserve its delicate probiotics and flavor.
- Use instant dashi powder for a quicker option, though homemade dashi provides superior taste.
- Experiment with different miso types (white, yellow, red) to find your preferred flavor profile.
- Soak wakame seaweed briefly until tender and vibrant green to avoid sliminess.
- Use fresh green onions and tofu to enhance the soup’s texture and freshness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Japanese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 50
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 2g
- Saturated Fat: 0.3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1.2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 5g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: Miso Soup, Japanese soup, umami broth, tofu soup, dashi, comfort food, probiotic soup, gluten free, quick soup, healthy soup
