Hello, food fans! So far, on our culinary tour through different types of Asian soup, we have sampled soup from China, Taiwan, South Korea, and Thailand. Now we go to Japan with an exploration of miso soup!
Hello, food fans! So far, on our culinary tour through different types of Asian soup, we have sampled soup from China, Taiwan, South Korea, and Thailand. Now we go to Japan with an exploration of miso soup!
Finding the Secret Recipe
Making restaurant-quality miso soup at home is easier than you think! When it comes to Asian soups, you’ve got to get the flavors just right. The secret to making miso soup that will make you want several bowls in one sitting is to add enough dashi. This is a broth that is made from two simple ingredients: kombu, a type of dried seaweed, and dried bonito fish flakes. Both components are infused with umami, which increases the flavor profile, too!
One way to address dietary needs is to leave the bonito out. That way, you can make this offering a vegetarian option. Be careful not to boil the kombu, though. It can make the broth bitter and slimy, neither of which are particularly appetizing.
Choosing the Miso
No matter where you go in Asia, different Asian soups call for different elements. Miso is a necessary ingredient, but it can be tricky to find the right one. Most of the time, fermented soybeans are the most common raw material. Barley, brown rice, legumes, and other grains are also excellent bases for making miso.
Red miso, white miso, and yellow are the three colors you will want to include if you are trying to get that restaurant-style taste and mouthfeel!
Getting Other Ingredients Together
Besides the broth and the miso, you will need a few more things to make the best soup possible. Look around at your Asian grocery store, such as Lotte Plaza Market, to find everything you need. Tofu and scallions also give your miso soup more flavor and help it go farther. The tofu needs to be cut into small cubes, and the scallions need to be thinly sliced. Pour the miso into the broth before adding anything else. Serve the soup as soon as it’s ready. If you see the miso settle and thicken in the broth, don’t worry! All you need to do is whisk it some more with a spoon or a pair of chopsticks!
Get All Your Asian Groceries at Lotte Plaza Market
Lotte Plaza Market is your one-stop-shop for all of your Korean and Asian grocery needs. With more than 10 locations in Maryland and Virginia, this growing market is always expanding and opening new markets to serve our customers better. Since we opened in 1976, our goal has always been to provide the best customer service and groceries to our customers. For answers to all of your questions, please email us at LottePlaza.com.