Essential Miso Soup: Quick, Healthy & Delicious

Discover our essential miso soup recipe—quick, healthy, and bursting with authentic Japanese flavor. Perfect comfort in every bowl!

Miso Soup with Tofu & Wakame

Recipe by Japan Food & Recipe StudioDifficulty: ★☆☆☆☆
Servings

2

servings
Prep time

5

minutes
Cooking time

5

minutes

Miso Soup with Tofu & Wakame Ingredients

  • Silken Tofu (kinugoshi): 1/4 block (~50g)
    Substitute: Medium-firm tofu if preferred; slight texture variation.

  • Dried Cut Wakame: 1 teaspoon
    Substitute: Fresh wakame or spinach for a similar green effect.

  • Green Onion (Naganegi): 1/4 stalk, finely sliced
    Substitute: Scallions for a milder flavor.

  • Water: 1½ cups (~360 ml)
    Note: Can use dashi stock if skipping the instant stock.

  • Instant Dashi (Hon-dashi or Iriko-dashi): 2/3 teaspoon, divided
    Substitute: 1 teaspoon fish or chicken bouillon, but flavor differs.

  • Miso: 1 tablespoon
    Preferred: White or awase miso for a milder taste.

Miso Soup with Tofu & Wakame Directions

  • Prep
    Tofu: Cut into ~1.5 cm cubes (~0.5 inch).
    Green Onion: Slice thinly (small rounds).
  • Start the Soup
    In a saucepan, add 1½ cups water and ½ of the instant dashi (~1/3 tsp).
    Heat over medium until it gently boils.
    Add Tofu: Carefully place tofu cubes in the boiling stock, simmer about 1 minute.
  • Add Wakame
    Stir in 1 tsp dried wakame. Let it simmer for another minute.
    Wakame rehydrates quickly, adding subtle flavor & texture.
  • Dissolve Miso
    Turn off heat (or lower it significantly) to avoid boiling miso (which loses aroma if overheated).
    Scoop some hot stock into a small bowl or ladle, whisk in 1 Tbsp miso until fully dissolved.
    Return the miso mixture to the pot, stirring gently.
  • Finish with Onion Remaining Dashi
    Add sliced green onion and the remaining 1/3 tsp dashi. Stir to combine.
    If using low heat, briefly warm but do not boil again.
  • Serve
    Ladle the miso soup into bowls, ensuring each portion has tofu, wakame, and onion.
    Enjoy while it’s hot.

Notes

  • Tips & Points
    No Overboiling: Once miso is added, avoid boiling to preserve its flavor and nutrients.
    Dashi Variations: If you have time, make homemade dashi from kombu & bonito flakes or niboshi (dried anchovies).
    Miso Choices: White (shiro) miso is mild & sweet; red (aka) miso has a stronger flavor. Awase miso is a blend of both.
    Adjust Saltiness: Miso & dashi vary in salt content, so taste as you go.
    Add-Ons: Mushrooms (enoki, shiitake) or a few drops of sesame oil for extra depth.

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