• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Chef JA Cooks
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • About
  • Shop
  • 日本語
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • About
    • Shop
    • 日本語
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Recipes » Soups

    8-Minute Tofu Miso Soup

    Jan 31, 2023 by JURI · This post may contain affiliate links

    5 from 5 votes
    JUMP TO RECIPE JUMP TO VIDEO

    How would you like to enjoy authentic Japanese tofu miso soup at home? It's cozy, healthy, and delicious. You can make this tasty soup with just 10 minutes of your time! Learn how in the recipe below!

    Tofu miso soup in a Japanese soup bowl.

    Have you ever experienced the delicious flavor of miso soup served in Japanese restaurants? The most popular one is tofu miso soup, a soothing and warming soup that makes you feel so content!

    You might not be familiar with the ingredients, but I'll show you how simple it is to make. It only takes under 10 minutes!

    In addition, homemade miso soup is much healthier and tastier than instant varieties. So, try out this easy recipe and enjoy the traditional Japanese soup at home!

      This recipe is for you if:
    • You love tofu miso soup.
    • You want to make tofu miso soup.
    • You are looking for easy tofu miso soup recipe.

    Let me walk you through the ingredients and the instructions. If you want to check the recipe, jump to the recipe. Let's get started!

    Jump to:
    • About this recipe
    • How to make miso soup
    • 📋 Ingredients
    • Where to buy Japanese ingredients
    • 🔪Instructions
    • Vegan Adaptable
    • Variations
    • What to serve with
    • Varieties of miso soup
    • FAQ
    • Thanks For Stopping By
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 8-Minute Tofu Miso Soup

    About this recipe

    • Traditional Japanese savory soup
    • Only five ingredients
    • Ready in under 10 minutes
    • Japanese ingredients explained
    • Easy to adapt for vegan/vegetarian

    How to make miso soup

    Tofu miso soup ingredients illustration.

    First, let me briefly walk you through how to make miso soup before diving into the recipe.

    Miso soup is made from these main ingredients:

    • Miso paste
    • Dashi (Japanese soup stock)
    • Ingredients of your choice (such as vegetables and tofu)

    I will give more details about each component in the following section.

    And how to make it is so simple and easy as follows:

    • Step #1 - Cut ingredients
    • Step #2 - Add dashi (soup stock)
    • Step #3 - Bring to a boil and simmer
    • Step #4 - Add miso paste and dissolve

    Did you get the idea? Great! Let's move on to the ingredients!

    📋 Ingredients

    Here are the ingredients (amounts are in the recipe card below).

    Ingredients for tofu miso soup.
    • Tofu
    • Scallion
    • Instant dashi powder
    • Miso paste

    See more details on each ingredient below.

    Miso Paste

    Miso paste.

    Miso is flavorful, savory, and salty fermented soybean paste, an essential seasoning for Japanese cuisine. It's a nutritious-rich and healthy ingredient used in many dishes (see the benefits here).

    Have you ever seen miso with various colors? The darker miso means aging longer (the Maillard reaction), has a rich flavor, and tastes less sweet than light-colored miso.

    White miso paste (shiro miso) is the way to go for a sweet and mild taste. If you're looking for more rich flavor, try red miso (aka miso). 

    Click here to learn about miso paste.

    Instant Dashi powder (Dashi granules)

    3 types of Japanese dashi powder.
    Dashi powder - 3 variations

    Dashi broth is essential in giving miso soup its unique flavor and aroma. Making your dashi gives you an authentic flavor and feeling, but if you don't have time to make it, here are easy dashi powder variations:

    • Kombu dashi powder - made from Kombu seaweed. It's vegan and has a mild flavor.
    • Katsuobushi dashi powder - made from katsuobushi (bonito flakes), kombu, and shiitake mushroom. This brings a well-balanced umami flavor.
    • Niboshi dashi powder - made from niboshi (baby anchovy), katsuobushi (bonito flakes), kombu, and shiitake mushroom. It has a more intense flavor than the other two.

    Choose the one that suits your preference, but if unsure, pick katsuobushi dashi, which is the standard for miso soup. I use katsuobushi in this recipe.

    Click here to learn about Japanese dashi.

    Homemade dashi stock

    3 types Japanese homemade dashi soup.
    Homemade dashi soup - 3 variations

    It's easy and quick to use store-bought dashi powder, but homemade dashi stock makes your soup more delicious.

    Homemade Dashi recipes:

    • Vegan dashi (Shiitake mushrooms and kombu seaweed)
    • Awase dashi (Katsuobushi and kombu seaweed)
    • Niboshi dashi (Baby anchovy)

    Niboshi is my favorite. When you have time, try these recipes!

    Tofu

    Momen tofu.
    Momen Tofu

    Tofu is a classic miso soup ingredient, which gives a soft texture to the soup. Tofu comes in 2 different types - Momen (firm tofu) and Kinu (silken tofu). You can use both of them for miso soup. I use Momen in this recipe.

    Where to buy Japanese ingredients

    If you live in the US, you can find Japanese ingredients in the list below.

    • Japanese grocery stores: Mitsuwa marketplace, Marukai
    • Asian grocery stores
    • Whole foods market
    • Health food stores
    • Online stores: Instacart, Walmart, Amazon

    🔪Instructions

    Let me show you how to make it. You can also watch this recipe video.

    How to make tofu miso soup step by step.
    1. Chop scallion.
    2. Cut tofu into cubes.
    3. Put the scallions, tofu, and dashi powder in a medium saucepan.
    4. Add water.
    5. Bring to a boil on medium heat.
    6. Lower the heat and simmer for 2 minutes.
    7. Turn off the heat and add miso using a miso measuring whisk (if you have it).
    8. Stir gently until it dissolves.
    9. You can also use a ladle to dissolve miso paste.
    Tofu miso soup in a Japanese soup bowl.

    That's it! Miso soup is best enjoyed when it's hot, so serve it immediately!

    By the way, we use these types of Miso soup bowls (Owan in Japanese) for serving miso soup. Maybe it's just me, but the miso soup tastes better when eaten in this small bowl!

    Helpful Tips

    • Always add miso paste after turning off the heat. If you boil the miso, you will lose the excellent flavor.
    • When adding the miso to your soup, stir gently (try not to break the tofu).
    • It's easy to add miso paste with a whisk (see below).

    Miso measuring whisk

    Miso measuring whisk with miso paste.

    This Miso measuring whisk is a MUST tool for making miso soup.

    You can easily measure and scoop miso paste. All you need to do is to put this whisk into the miso container and turn it around! Plus, you can put the whisk into the soup directly to dissolve the miso.

    I love it so much! I highly recommend having this simple tool if you make miso soup often!

    Storage

    Tofu miso soup in a glass jar.

    Fresh miso soup is the best, but if you have leftovers, let it cool and keep it in the fridge.

    Transfer the soup to a glass jar and store it in the fridge. It will be good for 2 to 3 days.

    I don't recommend putting it in the freezer because freezing and thawing change the texture of the tofu.

    Vegan Adaptable

    Kombu dashi powder and vegan dashi.

    Is miso soup vegan? No, because miso soup's essential ingredient is dashi, usually made from fish.

    But it's easy to make it vegan using vegan dashi. You can use kombu dashi powder or make vegan dashi (Shiitake mushroom and kombu seaweed) from scratch. Just replace regular dashi with them, and you will have a vegan miso soup.

    Shiitake Kombu Dashi (Japanese Vegan Dashi)
    5 from 7 votes
    This Shiitake and Kombu Dashi is plant-based dashi for vegan and vegetarian who want to make Japanese soup stock.  How to make it is super easy. Let's learn how!
    Make This Recipe
    dried shiitake, kombu and water in a bottle for making dashi

    Variations

    Ingredient list for miso soup.

    Ingredients for miso soup are limitless, so we don't get bored eating it every day. Here are other ingredients you can add to tofu miso soup:

    • Dehydrated wakame seaweed
    • Green onions, spring onions
    • Bean sprouts
    • Bean sprout
    • Mushrooms
    • Carrot
    • Napa cabbage
    • Bok choy
    • Aburaage (fried tofu)
    • and many more!

    What to serve with

    You can serve your soup with Japanese rice and other traditional dishes to give it a more authentic feel. Here are some recipes you might want to try:

    • Tofu miso soup
    • Japanese steamed rice
    • Vegan vegetable gyoza (dumplings)
    • Cucumber salad with shiokomb
    • Eggplant teriyaki

    Varieties of miso soup

    Try these homemade miso soup recipes. They are tasty, easy, and ready in under 10 minutes!

    Japanese Miso Soup Recipes
    5 from 1 vote
    Homemade miso soup is healthy, cozy, and so delicious! Try these easy Japanese miso soup recipes and enjoy the authentic flavor!
    Make This Recipe
    6 miso soup recipes.

    FAQ

    What is miso soup usually made of?

    Miso soup is made from three basic components: Miso paste, dashi (soup stock), and Ingredients of your choice. The most common ingredients are tofu, scallions, and wakame seaweed.

    What does tofu taste like in miso soup?

    The flavor is mild and gives a lovely soft texture.

    Why is miso soup not vegan?

    Because we usually use katsuobushi (bonito) dashi for miso soup. But you can easily make it vegan using kombu dashi.

    Do you need to press tofu for miso soup?

    No, you don't. You can add the tofu as it is.

    How often do Japanese eat miso soup?

    Miso soup is a daily staple in Japan. It depends on the family, but I make it almost every day, and we eat it a couple of times a day.

    Where can I buy miso paste?

    You can find it at Japanese grocery stores: Mitsuwa marketplace, Marukai, Asian grocery stores, or online stores like Amazon.

    Thanks For Stopping By

    Tofu miso soup in a sauce pan.

    Thank you for taking the time to read my blog♡ If you've tried this recipe(or any other recipe on the blog), please give it a star rating below!

    Also, feel free to leave comments if you have any questions. I love hearing from you!

    Chef JA Cooks is a Japanese food blog that shares simple and healthy Japanese home cooking recipes, including vegan and vegetarian. From traditional Japanese recipes to modern recipes with step-by-step instructions.

    More Recipes You Might Like

    • What Is Miso Soup?
    • Miso Soup Ingredients (And How To Make It)
    • 10 Easy Japanese Miso Soup Recipes
    • Wakame Seaweed Miso Soup
    • Simple Japanese Mushroom Miso Soup
    • 10-Minute Vegan Miso Soup

    📖 Recipe

    tofu miso soup in a Japanese soup bowl.

    8-Minute Tofu Miso Soup

    5 from 5 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Prep: 5 minutes
    Cook: 3 minutes
    Total: 8 minutes
    Servings: 4 servings
    Author: JURI
    How would you like to enjoy authentic Japanese tofu miso soup at home? It's cozy, healthy, and delicious. With just 10 minutes of your time, you can make this tasty soup!

    Equipment

    • Medium saucepan 18cm/7 inches
    • Miso measuring whisk
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 Tofu, 200g, 7oz
    • ½ Scallion, 50g, 1.7oz
    • 1½ teaspoon Dashi powder, 5g
    • 3 c Water, 720ml
    • 2 tablespoon Miso paste, 36g, 1.3oz

    Instructions

    • Preparation: Chop scallion, cut tofu into cubes.
    • Bring to a boil: Put the scallions, tofu, dashi powder, and water in a saucepan, and bring to a boil on medium heat.
    • Simmer: Lower the heat and simmer for one minute.
    • Add miso paste: Turn off the heat, add miso (use a miso measuring whisk if you have it), and stir gently until it dissolves.

    Video

    Notes

    • Storage: 3 days in the fridge.
    • If the taste of the soup is light to you, feel free to add more miso paste.
    • If you want to try  making dashi from scratch, here are the recipes: vegan dashi (shiitake mushroom and kombu), awase dashi (bonito and kombu), niboshi dashi (dried sardine)
    • Always add miso paste after turning off the heat. If you boil the miso, you will lose the excellent flavor.
    • When adding the miso to your soup, stir gently (try not to break the tofu).

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1serving | Calories: 54kcal | Carbohydrates: 5.6g | Protein: 4.6g | Fat: -19g | Sodium: 626mg | Sugar: 1.6g
    Course: Soup
    Cuisine: Japanese
    Keyword: tofu miso soup
    Did You Make this recipe?Please Leave a star rating!

    More Soups

    • oshiruko in a small bowl.
      Oshiruko (Sweet Red Bean Soup)
    • dashi ingredients and kombu dashi in a saucepan.
      What is Dashi? How To Make Japanese Soup Stock
    • kombu dashi in a glass jar.
      Kombu Dashi (Japanese Vegan Stock)
    • curry udon in a serving bowl.
      Easy Japanese Curry Udon Recipe

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    WELCOME!

    Hi, I’m Juri! If you love Japanese food, you’re in the right place! I love sharing easy and simple Japanese recipes with minimal ingredients. Read more!

    Popular Recipes

    • Vegan Matcha Pound Cake
      Vegan Matcha Pound Cake
    • 米粉と豆乳のパンケーキ
      Fluffy Rice Flour Pancakes (Gluten-Free)
    • 12 variations of easy onigiri.
      17 Easy Onigiri Recipes (Japanese Rice Balls)
    • fluffy tamagoyaki(Japanese omelette)
      The Best Tamagoyaki (Japanese Rolled Omelet)
    • Kake Soba (Japanese Simple Soba Noodle Soup)
      Easy 20-Minute Soba Noodle Soup (Japanese Kake Soba)
    • natto gohan with kimchi
      8 Ways To Enjoy Natto Gohan (Natto Rice)

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
    • 日本語日本語
    • EnglishEnglish

    Free Vegetarian Recipe ebook

    Join our newsletter and get our FREE ebook! !

    Footer

    ^ back to top

    About

    • About
    • Contact
    • Privacy Policy

    Language

    • Japanese
    • English

    Newsletter

    free vegetarian ebook.

    Chef JA Cooks participates in amazon affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions if you purchase products after clicking an affiliate link. No extra cost to you.

    Copyright © 2022 Chef JA Cooks

    8 shares