Japanese Soup

Japan is known for its unique and delicious cuisine. Various rice and noodle dishes, tempura, bento boxes, and soup have become popular throughout the world. Japanese soup, or “suimono,” is a savory food that can be served on its own as a light meal,or alongside other dishes. It is made from a base stock of kombu and dried bonito flakes, known as “dashi”, with an array of delicious ingredients added. Whether you want a clear or a creamy soup, make sure to keep it light and flavorful. Here are two recipes to get your started on making homemade Japanese soup.

Classic Clear Suimono

Ingredients:

  • 3 ½ cups of dashi

  • 1/3 cup soy sauce

  • 2 tablespoons sake

  • 2 tablespoons mirin

  • ½ teaspoon salt

  • Assorted vegetables (carrots, mushrooms, onions, etc.)

  • Cooked shrimp, meat, or fish

Instructions:

  • In a large pot, combine the dashi, soy sauce, sake, mirin and salt. Bring to a low boil over medium-high heat.

  • Reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes.

  • Add the vegetables and proteins of your choice and simmer for another 10 minutes.

  • Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature.

  • Serve soup in individual bowls with a garnish of green onions, daikon radish, or sesame seeds.

Creamy Miso Soup

Ingredients:

  • 1 ½ cups of dashi

  • 3 tablespoons of white miso paste

  • 1 tablespoon of soy sauce

  • 2 tablespoons sake

  • 2 tablespoons mirin

  • Assorted vegetables (carrots, mushrooms, onions, etc.)

  • 1 tablespoon of chopped green onions

Instructions:

  • In a medium pot, combine the dashi, miso paste, soy sauce, sake and mirin. Bring to a low boil over medium-high heat.

  • Reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes.

  • Add the vegetables of your choice and simmer for another 10 minutes.

  • Add the chopped green onions and simmer for an additional 2 minutes.

  • Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature.

  • Serve soup in individual bowls with a garnish of green onions, daikon radish, or sesame seeds.

Japanese soups are a delicious and light option for a meal. Experiment with different ingredients and seasonings to create your own unique soups. Enjoy!