Recipe: Classic Miso Soup – Simple & Authentic

Miso soup is one of the most cherished dishes in Japanese daily life. It’s a gentle, comforting soup made with simple ingredients — dashi (broth), miso paste, tofu, and wakame seaweed. This recipe focuses on keeping it traditional and easy to make at home while highlighting its balanced and savory flavor.

Ingredients

• 2 cups dashi (Japanese soup stock)
• 2 tablespoons miso paste (white or red)
• ½ cup soft tofu, cubed
• 1 tablespoon dried wakame seaweed
• 1 tablespoon chopped green onions (optional)

Step-by-Step Preparation

1. In a small pot, bring the dashi to a gentle simmer.
2. Add the dried wakame and let it soften for about 2 minutes.
3. Reduce the heat to low and add the tofu cubes carefully.
4. In a small bowl, mix the miso paste with a bit of warm broth until smooth, then add it back into the pot. Do not boil after adding miso.
5. Serve warm and garnish with chopped green onions.

This classic miso soup pairs beautifully with a bowl of steamed rice or as a starter for a traditional Japanese meal. It’s light, savory, and soothing — a perfect example of balance in Japanese cooking.

Tips for Perfect Miso Soup

• Use good-quality dashi for authentic taste.
• Never boil the soup after adding miso — it affects the flavor.
• Adjust saltiness by the type of miso paste (white miso is milder; red miso is stronger).

Want to explore more Japanese recipes? Try our guides on perfect sushi rice or different types of sushi for your next homemade meal.