Miso Soup is the original health food, it’s an easy, umami rich soup recipe made with fermented bean paste that has been nourishing the Japanese for centuries ~ and you can make this delicious vegan soup for yourself in just minutes!
What is miso soup?
Miso is an ancient Japanese seasoning paste made from fermented soybeans (and sometimes rice or barley.) It’s got that salty, umami flavor that distinguishes so many Japanese dishes like this classic miso soup.
3 major types of miso
Miso comes in many varieties, each having a unique flavor, aroma, color, and texture; here are the main categories you’re likely to see in your grocery store ~
- white or shiro miso is the mildest. It’s made with fermented soy beans and rice and the color is pale yellow.
- yellow or shinshu miso has a mild flavor that is stronger than white but mellower than red miso, and is mostly made with fermented soy beans and barley. The color is light brown.
- red or aka miso is the strongest flavored of all, also mostly made from fermented rice and barley, and is darker in color.
Japanese soup is one of the healthiest foods you can eat
It’s also one of the easiest meals to prepare. Miso soup was one of the first things I cooked for myself when I was in college. It’s a staple in Japan, and you’ve probably had it in Japanese restaurants. The soup is basically a thin miso infused broth, and when you get it in restaurants it usually has very little in it, maybe a slice or two of scallion floating around. But it can also made heartier with tofu, mushrooms, seaweed, green onions, and potatoes, among other things.
Where to find Miso paste
Miso is sold fresh, and most large grocery store chains carry it nowadays. Look for it in the refrigerated section, usually near the wonton wrappers, tofu, etc.
Miso is a biologically active, living food, like yogurt.
Cooking destroys some of its beneficial bacteria and can change the flavor.
When you cook with miso you’ll usually add it at the very end, once the pot is taken off the heat, so you don’t destroy the nutrients.
Use a variety of mushrooms in this soup
Making miso soup gives you the perfect excuse to experiment with some of the exotic, loose mushroom varieties you always pass by when you’re doing your grocery shopping. Their delicate flavor will take center stage in such a simple dish, and you don’t need to buy many, so the cost won’t be prohibitive. I bought baby button Shitake and a variety called Beech mushrooms: tiny little brown or white mushrooms come clustered on one large stem or stalk. You’ll find them in plastic packaging in the mushroom section.
What to eat with miso soup
- Miso soup is a complete meal in itself, especially when you add protein rich tofu. But we love to pair our soup with a big bowl of steaming hot edamame (soy) beans showered in sea salt.
Miso is a healthy instant soup!
- Miso soup can be made as quickly as any instant soup, but is so much healthier for you.
- It’s a perfect soothing hydrator when you have a cold or flu, and so much quicker and easier to make than chicken soup.
- In Japan it’s believed to have powerful health giving properties (including fighting the Big C.)
I’ve been cooking with miso since I was in college and I love it. You can find lots more miso inspiration on the blog, just search Miso. And if you’re intrigued and want to learn more, see my How To Use Miso post, it has lots of useful info and serving suggestions.
Other recipes using miso paste ~
- Miso Alphabet Soup
- Miso Broth with Shrimp Dumplings
- Miso Ramen with Shitake and Chicken
- Spring Vegetable Salad with Miso Dressing
Reader Rave ~
“Very easy and the best miso soup I’ve ever had. I added a little bit of crispy onions when I served it (similar to what happens at Japanese Hibachi restaurants). I can’t wait to make it again.” ~Mary
Miso Soup
Ingredients
- 6 cups water (you can also use part vegetable or chicken stock if you like)
- 4 Tbsp Miso paste
- 1 cup firm tofu, cut in small cubes (use more if you like)
- 2 cups assorted mushrooms, sliced
- 4 or 5 scallions, sliced thin (use all of the white and a little of the green)
Instructions
- Heat the stock and water to a simmer and add the mushrooms and tofu. Simmer for a couple of minutes to cook the mushrooms.
- When you're ready to serve, add the scallions and take the pan off the heat.
- In a small bowl, whisk the miso with 1/4 cup of the hot broth to form a paste. Stir it back into the broth, and serve.
notes
- Use yellow or white miso for a milder flavor...this is perfect if you are new to miso, or cooking for kids.
- Use any type of stock you like in place of the water.
- Add any thinly sliced veggies you like, including bok choy, carrots, or broccoli. Just be sure to simmer the vegetables until tender before you add the miso.
Nutrition
44 Comments
Nancy W.
January 27, 2021 at 7:37 pmI’ve never made miso soup, so on this grey, cold day, with snow in the forecast, I thought it would be a perfect time to try. Found your recipe, and oh my gosh, it was sooooo good!! I took your suggestion and made it a little more hearty than what I usually get in a restaurant – full of mushrooms, tofu, carrots, celery and (red) onion (because it’s what I had). Also at your recommendation, served it with a side of edamame (and roasted cauliflower with turmeric). I’m over the moon – can’t believe I waited so long to try it – will definitely be a staple in our house! 🙂 Thank you SO much!
Sue Moran
January 28, 2021 at 6:29 amSounds like a cozy meal for a cold day 🙂
Lydia Bartlett
January 14, 2021 at 12:41 pmThanks for posting this soup, Sue. I have never had it and look forward to making some. I have made hot and sour soup before, my family loved it. I can’t wait to add this soup to my soup/stew repertoire! 🙂
Sue Moran
January 14, 2021 at 1:30 pmThanks Lydia, I need to do hot and sour soup for the blog sometime 🙂
Taylor
June 15, 2020 at 4:32 pmReally enjoyed! I love how I could add extra veggies! We will definitely be making this often ?
Mariah
December 11, 2017 at 10:12 amI Just made this soup but wanted to add seaweed.. I used roasted seaweed and added it in with the mushrooms and tofu, and the soup came out delicious, but I feel as though the miso flavor is overpowered by the seaweed flavor. Any idea on how to keep the miso flavor stronger when adding seaweed? Thank you for the recipe!!
Sue
December 11, 2017 at 10:27 amGreat question, but I think miso is by nature a very delicate flavor, so you will probably have to live with that. You can certainly add more miso paste to your soup, and that should boost the flavor. Glad you’re experimenting with this, Mariah!
Heather
November 26, 2017 at 2:50 amIs there anyway to make miso soup without tofu? It’s not good for my thyroid and I don’t care for the taste?
Sue
November 26, 2017 at 7:10 amAbsolutely, just leave it out. The beauty of miso soup is that you can put just about anything in there. You can keep it simple with just sliced green onion and mushrooms, or you can make a full on vegetable soup.
Ruth Cobb
October 30, 2017 at 5:00 pmI told my daughter the other day that for some reason a bowl of miso makes me feel better when I am ill. A little restaurant in Morgantown, West Virginia, serves a good large serving of miso and has the best and prettiest sushi, called the Green Tea Restaurant, on Burroughs St.
Sue
October 30, 2017 at 7:26 pmIt sounds like a wonderful spot, Ruth, and I agree, miso has magical healing powers 🙂
Dell
March 3, 2017 at 6:46 amI always add a little Dashi to this. It takes it over the top!! I love it!!
SpiritLove208
September 12, 2016 at 7:09 pmThis recipe was really tasty and super easy to make! Will be making it again very soon.
Amy Wyn
November 2, 2016 at 1:28 pmCan you tell me what color miso you used – white or the red? Thank you; can’t wait to try this!!
Sue
November 4, 2016 at 7:57 amI think I used the darker miso for this soup, Amy ~ but you can use any type!
Sue
November 7, 2016 at 9:19 pmI’m so glad, thanks!
DanCandell
May 20, 2016 at 7:13 amThis recipe is in the clean eating section. I have read much on tofu and how soy products are very bad for people. I’m wondering if you can make this soup without tofu and if it will still be good; or possibly a suitable asubstitute?
Sue
May 20, 2016 at 7:23 amYou can definitely make it without tofu, I’ve had it with just mushrooms, or just green onions many times.
Marcy Schwartz
January 13, 2016 at 2:10 amThis was the first time I’ve made miso soup. Very easy and the best miso soup I’ve ever had. I added a little bit of crispy onions when I served it (similar to what happens at Japanese Hibachi restaurants). I can’t wait to make it again.
Sue
January 13, 2016 at 7:23 amGreat addition Marcy, I’m so glad you liked it.
Guinness
February 16, 2015 at 5:14 amYou state that if you want to eat for a week to make the broth then add the miso paste with each bowl.
How much paste do you add – and is it mixed with the broth before.
Thanks
Sue
February 16, 2015 at 7:07 amYou can heat up your broth, and then stir in the miso, to taste. It might be a couple of teaspoons for a 8 oz, give or take.
Ginger
November 4, 2013 at 10:35 pmI second that comment on the Dashi. Miso, IMO, really makes it!
to2sassy
December 4, 2011 at 11:21 pmThis looks really yummy! Have you ever tried making your miso soup with Dashi instead of broth. It really takes it over the top. My local Asian grocery store sells crystals (sort of like bullion) to make it.
Chris
August 26, 2016 at 6:23 amI’ve never tried it, but have read dashi crystals contain MSG.
Sarah (Snippets of Thyme)
November 28, 2011 at 5:35 pmI had to come over because while having lunch and browsing Foodgawker, your photo leaped off the screen. That soup is so beautiful! I also love miso soup.
Magnolia Verandah
November 28, 2011 at 7:47 amI feel nourished just reading the recipe.
Mary
November 28, 2011 at 1:01 pmWhat a lovely way to ease the burden on the palate. This sounds like a perfect light repast and I’d love to join you in a bowl. Have a wonderful holiday. Blessings…Mary
Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti
November 28, 2011 at 4:08 amWhat a nice recipe! I always order Miso soup when I go out to a Japanese restaurant, but I never thought I’d be able to make it myself. Now I’ll be on the hunt for Miso paste!
I became a follower. I love WIlliams Sonoma and check out their sale section on their web site all the time.
Stephanie
November 28, 2011 at 11:40 amLooks wonderful! I’ve been thinking about creating a miso soup version for a while now. Thanks for sharing. Beautiful mushrooms.
Miss Meshow
November 28, 2011 at 3:39 amSo beautiful! I love those little white mushrooms, especially the ones in the last photo that are stuck together. Already have plans for tomorrow’s supper, but I think I’ll plan on it for the day after. I love soup!
Quay Po Cooks
November 28, 2011 at 1:35 amI love miso soup. This reminded me that I have not had a bowl for sometime:D Great photos!
Sue
November 7, 2016 at 9:19 pm:))
Three-Cookies
November 27, 2011 at 11:07 pmThose mushrooms look really nice, I haven’t seen that variety
Yummy Mummy
November 28, 2011 at 6:07 amHow beautiful with those tiny mushrooms! Love this!
yummychunklet
November 28, 2011 at 4:11 amI would LOVE a bowl of this right now. I still have a residual runny nose from last week’s cold.
[email protected] Girl Kitchen
November 28, 2011 at 2:25 amThis soup looks so warm and comforting! I could use that right now after having had way too much dessert this week. My jeans are feeling pretty snug right now! 🙁
Lizzy
November 28, 2011 at 1:05 amOh, I need to buy some miso! This soup looks amazing…and it would be great to whip this up on a cold day. Your mushrooms are beautiful, too…so unblemished. Great post~
Barbara
November 27, 2011 at 7:25 pmI’ve had it, but never made it. Your photos are marvelous, Sue. Copying the recipe now…
Heather @ girlichef.com
November 27, 2011 at 4:08 pmI love miso soup. Earthy, comforting, satisfaction in a bowl. Yours looks beautiful…wish I had a bowl. Okay, I have a bowl, but I wish I had some of your steaming soup filling it!
Sue/the view from great island
November 27, 2011 at 2:59 pmSusan—I’m not sure I’ve ever had (or ordered) Hot and Sour soup, I’ll be waiting for your post!
From Beyond My Kitchen Window
November 27, 2011 at 12:35 pmIt looks so light and delicious. The mushrooms are so white and beautiful. I have had Miso soup and liked it a lot, but Hot and Sour is my favorite. I think I might do a post on it. Thanks for the inspiration.