How to Perfectly Make the Classic Miso Soup in Under 30 Minutes

Miso soup is a classic Japanese dish known for its savory and umami flavors. Here's a step-by-step guide to making it:

Ingredients:

• 4 cups (960ml) water

• 2 tablespoons miso paste (white or red, to taste)

• 1 sheet of dried kombu (kelp)

• 1/2 cup (120ml) dried bonito flakes (katsuobushi) (optional)

• 1/2 cup (120g) tofu, cubed

• 2-3 green onions, thinly sliced

• 1 sheet of nori (seaweed), cut into thin strips (optional)

• 1 cup (about 100g) sliced mushrooms (shiitake or others, optional)

• 1 cup (about 100g) thinly sliced greens (spinach, bok choy, or similar, optional)

Equipment:

• Large pot

• Fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth

• Ladle

Step 1: Prepare Dashi (Broth)

1. Add the water and dried kombu to a large pot. Heat the water over low heat and gradually bring it to a simmer—it should not boil.

2. Remove the kombu just before the water boils. Boiling it can make the broth taste bitter.

Step 2: Prepare Dashi (with Bonito Flakes, Optional)

1. Once the kombu is removed, add the bonito flakes to the simmering water.

2. Turn off the heat and let the bonito flakes steep in the hot water for about 5 minutes.

3. Strain the dashi through a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth to remove the bonito flakes. This liquid is now your dashi broth.

Step 3: Add Miso Paste

1. In a small bowl, dilute the miso paste with a few tablespoons of the warm dashi broth, creating a smooth miso mixture.

2. Add the diluted miso paste back to the pot with the remaining dashi.

Step 4: Add Tofu and Vegetables

1. Return the pot to low heat and add the cubed tofu. Let it simmer gently for a few minutes until heated through.

2. If you're using mushrooms or greens, add them to the pot and let them cook until tender but still vibrant, usually for 1-2 minutes.

Step 5: Garnish and Serve

1. Just before serving, garnish the miso soup with thinly sliced green onions and nori strips.

2. Taste the soup and adjust the flavor by adding more miso paste or hot water if needed.

Step 6: Serve

1. Ladle the miso soup into individual bowls and serve immediately.

Enjoy your homemade miso soup! It's a comforting and flavorful dish that can be customized with various ingredients to suit your taste.