Miso Soup is probably the most well known dish in Japan. Everybody has heard of it and most people have tasted it. It is the quintessential staple in Japan and can be eaten with every meal.
In Japan, soybeans are king of the vegetables. They are used to make tofu and soy sauce, and they can also be ground into paste and fermented to make miso. And just as soybeans are king of the vegetables, this is the king of soups. It’s an extremely versatile and delicious soup, and can be enjoyed with every meal.
You would be hard pressed to find a restaurant in Japan that didn’t serve miso soup with breakfast. When you order sushi, Mathis amazing soup always comes as a side. And one more thing to note about miso soup in Japan… refills are almost always free!
Miso soup is a staple that is rooted in popular culture in Japan, and there are as many versions of it available as there are cooks in Japan.
Miso can be made with a variety of different types of misa pastes yielding very different flavors. Miso with clams, shrimp, mushrooms and other vegetables can be prepared. And if that’s not enough, miso is also used as a base for miso ramen.
Learn to prepare your own miso soup with this easy and authentic recipe.
Original published September 2021, Republished September 2023