Description
A light and flavorful Japanese clear mushroom soup made with dashi broth, delicate mushrooms, and optional tofu, perfect as a starter or a soothing light meal. This gluten-free and vegan-friendly soup is infused with traditional Japanese seasonings and garnished with fresh herbs for an authentic taste.
Ingredients
Scale
Broth and Seasonings
- 4 cups dashi broth (or low-sodium vegetable or chicken broth)
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon mirin (Japanese sweet rice wine)
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- 1/4 teaspoon white pepper (optional)
Main Ingredients
- 1 cup thinly sliced mushrooms (shiitake, enoki, or button)
- 1/2 block soft tofu (cubed small, optional)
Garnishes
- 2 green onions (thinly sliced)
- A few sprigs of fresh cilantro or mitsuba for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Heat the Broth: In a medium saucepan, bring the dashi broth to a gentle simmer over medium heat. Stir in soy sauce, mirin, sesame oil (if using), salt, and white pepper to infuse the broth with balanced flavor.
- Cook the Mushrooms: Add the thinly sliced mushrooms to the simmering broth and cook for 5–7 minutes until they are tender and have absorbed the broth’s savory taste.
- Add Tofu (Optional): If using tofu, gently add the small cubes to the pot during the last 2–3 minutes of cooking to warm the tofu through without breaking it apart.
- Adjust Seasoning: Taste the soup and adjust salt or soy sauce as needed to suit your preference.
- Serve and Garnish: Ladle the hot soup into bowls. Garnish with thinly sliced green onions and fresh cilantro or mitsuba if desired. Serve immediately for the best flavor and enjoyment.
Notes
- To make dashi broth at home, simmer 4 cups of water with a piece of kombu (dried kelp) and a handful of bonito flakes, then strain for a fresh, authentic broth.
- This soup is traditionally served as a starter and pairs wonderfully with sushi or light rice dishes.
- For a vegan version, use vegetable dashi and tamari instead of soy sauce to keep it gluten-free.
- Sesame oil is optional but adds a subtle nutty aroma enhancing the soup’s depth.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Japanese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 50
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 430mg
- Fat: 2g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 5g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
