Miso Soup Recipe: A Simple Way to Get the Balance Right

Miso Soup Recipe How to Cook It the Right Way

Something is calming about a warm bowl of miso soup after a long day. This traditional Japanese miso soup recipe blends soft tofu, green onions, and nori in a light, savory broth made with dashi and miso paste. It’s simple, soothing, and ready in minutes for breakfast, lunch, or dinner when you want something comforting but not heavy.

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 25 minutes mins

Servings: 4

Course: Appetizer, Soup

Cuisine: Japanese

Calories: 65

Ingredients Method Video Notes

Ingredients

  

• 4 cups water
• 1½ tablespoons of dashi granules or homemade dashi stock
• 3 tablespoons miso paste white or red
• ½ cup cubed tofu soft or medium-firm
• 2 tablespoons chopped green onions
• 1 sheet of nori seaweed, cut into thin strips

Method

 

1. Warm the water in a pot over medium heat until gently steaming. Stir in the dashi granules until dissolved.
2. Scoop out a few tablespoons of the hot broth and whisk it with the miso paste in a small bowl until smooth.
3. Stir the thinned miso back into the pot. Keep the heat low, don’t boil after adding the miso.
4. Add the tofu cubes and cook for about two minutes to warm through.
5. Sprinkle on green onions and nori before serving.

Video

Notes

• Use white miso paste for a mild flavor or red miso paste for a stronger umami.
• To avoid a dull flavor, never boil miso.
• For homemade flavors, read this guide to types of miso and how to use them.

Seasonal Variations

• Light summer miso soup recipe: Add wakame seaweed, spinach, or tofu for a refreshing, low-calorie option.
• Hearty winter miso soup idea: Use root vegetables such as daikon and carrots to create a warming, filling version.
• Vegan miso soup variation: Try this vegan miso soup recipe made with kombu-based dashi for a plant-based umami taste.

Serving Suggestions

• Serve miso soup as a starter before grilled salmon or teriyaki chicken for a balanced Japanese meal.
• For a simple home dinner, pair it with Onigiri Japanese rice and a cucumber salad.
• It also complements sushi or tempura as a traditional side dish in authentic Japanese cuisine.

Tips & Tricks

• Dissolve the miso in a small bowl of warm broth first. This keeps your soup smooth and lump-free.
• Add tofu and seaweed at the end to keep them soft and fresh.
• Mix white and red miso paste for a deep, restaurant-style flavor (how to use miso in recipes).
• Store leftover miso paste in an airtight container in the fridge. It lasts for months and boosts the flavor of stir-fries, sauces, and marinades.

Nutrition (per serving)

• Calories: 65
• Protein: 5g
• Carbohydrates: 5g
• Fat: 2g
• Sodium: 600mg