🍣 Japanese · Soup · Easy difficulty · Contains meat or poultry
Tofu Miso Soup
A vibrant Japanese soup built around tofu, seasoned with dashi and miso paste.
- Prep time
- 5 min
- Cook time
- 5 min
- Total time
- 10 min
- Servings
- 6
- Calories
- 251 kcal
- Protein
- 19 g
- Carbs
- 18 g
- Fat
- 11 g
- Course
- Soup
About this Japanese soup
Tofu Miso Soup is a Japanese soup built around firm tofu. It takes about 10 min from start to finish, 5 minutes of prep and 5 minutes of cooking, and serves 6.
Cooking method: soup. Difficulty is rated easy. Contains meat or poultry, and marked gluten-free in our data.
Good for: under 25 minutes, light & low calorie, meal prep, one-pot wonders, comfort food, everyday healthy.
Ingredients
Quantities are for 6 servings. Change the servings in the app to rescale them automatically.
- 300 g firm tofu, cubed
- 4 cups dashi
- 3 tbsp miso paste
- 200 g silken tofu
- 2 spring onions
- 1 tbsp wakame
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Method
Step 1. Soften a diced onion in a large pot with a splash of oil for 5 minutes.
- Heat
- Medium to high, stir or flip now and then
- Look for
- Golden-brown edges, a steady sizzle and a toasty smell.
- Why it matters
- Browning (the Maillard reaction) creates deep savoury flavour that boiling cannot.
- Avoid
- Overcrowding the pan: the temperature drops and food steams. Cook in batches.
Step 2. Add the tofu and stir for 2 minutes to release its flavour.
- Heat
- Keep the heat steady
- Look for
- The new ingredient is coated and the mixture returns to a gentle bubble.
- Why it matters
- Adding things in order lets each ingredient cook for just the right time.
- Avoid
- Dumping everything in at once: delicate items turn mushy before tougher ones are done.
Step 3. Stir in the dashi, miso paste and silken tofu, then pour in about 1 litre of water or stock.
- Heat
- Keep the heat steady
- Look for
- The new ingredient is coated and the mixture returns to a gentle bubble.
- Why it matters
- Adding things in order lets each ingredient cook for just the right time.
- Avoid
- Dumping everything in at once: delicate items turn mushy before tougher ones are done.
Step 4. Bring to the boil, reduce the heat and simmer for 4 minutes.
- Heat
- Medium to high
- Look for
- The oil shimmers and flows like water; a drop of water sizzles instantly.
- Why it matters
- Food added to a properly hot pan sears and browns instead of steaming and sticking.
- Avoid
- Adding food to a cold pan: it sticks, turns grey and soaks up oil.
Step 5. Season to taste; blend half the soup for a creamier texture if you like.
- Heat
- Off, no heat
- Look for
- Everything is evenly coated or just combined, with no dry pockets.
- Why it matters
- Mixing spreads salt, fat and flavour through the food so every bite tastes the same.
- Avoid
- Overmixing batters and doughs makes them tough; stop once just combined.
Step 6. Ladle into warm bowls and finish with wakame.
- Heat
- Warm plates
- Look for
- Hot food on warm plates with a fresh, bright garnish on top.
- Why it matters
- Garnish adds colour, crunch and freshness. Tasting and adjusting salt or acid at the end lifts the whole dish.
- Avoid
- Waiting too long: the dish cools and crisp parts go soft.
Chef's tip
Season in stages, tasting as you go.
Equipment you will need
- Large pot
- Ladle
- Hand blender (optional)
Nutrition per serving
Estimated per serving: 251 kcal, 19 g protein, 18 g carbohydrate and 11 g fat. Roughly 31% of the energy comes from protein, 29% from carbohydrate and 40% from fat, using standard energy values.
Nutrition values are estimates from typical ingredient profiles. They are not medical data, and brands and portions vary. Consult a doctor or registered dietitian about your diet.
When to cook Tofu Miso Soup
Substitutions and variations
- Blend half the soup for a creamy texture without dairy.
- Use vegetable stock to keep it vegetarian, and check labels for hidden gluten or animal products.
- Freeze in portions before adding delicate garnishes, and add them fresh when reheating.
Frequently asked questions about Tofu Miso Soup
How long does Tofu Miso Soup take to make?
It takes about 10 min in total: 5 minutes of prep and 5 minutes of cooking. Times are estimates and depend on your stove, pan and how small you cut the ingredients.
How many calories are in one serving?
Each serving has about 251 kcal, with 19 g protein, 18 g carbohydrate and 11 g fat. These are estimates for the recipe's 6 servings.
Is Tofu Miso Soup gluten-free?
It is marked gluten-free in our data. Still check labels on stock, sauces and spice blends, which can contain gluten.
Is it suitable for vegetarians or vegans?
No, it contains meat or poultry. For a meat-free version, swap the main ingredient for tofu, chickpeas or mushrooms and adjust the cooking time.
How difficult is it to cook?
It is an easy recipe with simple steps and minimal timing pressure, so it suits beginners.
Can I make Tofu Miso Soup ahead or freeze it?
Yes. Cool it quickly, refrigerate for up to 3-4 days, or freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat until steaming hot throughout.
How many servings does it make?
This recipe makes 6 servings. To change the amount, scale each ingredient in proportion. The interactive app's servings control does this automatically.