A Guide to Japanese Vegetarian Soups You Can Try at Home

Japanese cuisine is renowned for its delicate flavors and fresh ingredients, making it a wonderful source of inspiration for vegetarian dishes, especially soups. Whether you're a seasoned vegetarian or just looking to diversify your meal planning, Japanese soups offer a delightful array of options. This guide explores some popular Japanese vegetarian soups you can easily make at home.

Miso Soup

Miso soup is a classic in Japanese cuisine, traditionally made with dashi (broth) and miso paste. For a vegetarian version, use kombu dashi, which is made from kelp. This velvety soup often includes tofu and seaweed for added texture.

Ingredients:

  • 4 cups water
  • 1 piece of kombu (kelp)
  • 3 tablespoons miso paste (white or red)
  • 1 cup cubed medium-firm tofu
  • 1 cup chopped green onions
  • 1 cup wakame seaweed

Instructions:

  1. Soak the kombu in water for about 30 minutes. Heat it in a pot until just before boiling, then remove kombu from the water.
  2. Whisk in the miso paste until dissolved.
  3. Add the tofu and wakame and heat gently without boiling.
  4. Serve garnished with green onions.

Tofu and Vegetable Clear Soup

This clear soup features fresh vegetables and tofu, making it light yet satisfying. The use of shiitake mushrooms adds umami depth to the broth.

Ingredients:

  • 4 cups vegetable broth
  • 1 cup sliced shiitake mushrooms
  • 1 cup diced carrots
  • 1 cup bok choy, chopped
  • 1 cup cubed tofu
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

  1. In a large pot, bring the vegetable broth to a boil.
  2. Add shiitake mushrooms and carrots. Simmer for 5 minutes until tender.
  3. Add bok choy and tofu, then stir in soy sauce. Simmer for another 3-4 minutes.
  4. Season with salt and pepper. Serve hot.

Sweet Potato Soup

This hearty sweet potato soup offers a unique flavor profile with comforting ingredients and a creamy texture, making it perfect for cooler months.

Ingredients:

  • 2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and diced
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 2 cups vegetable broth
  • 1 cup coconut milk
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

  1. In a pot, sauté onion and garlic until softened.
  2. Add sweet potatoes and vegetable broth; bring to a boil and simmer until sweet potatoes are tender.
  3. Blend the soup until smooth, then stir in coconut milk.
  4. Season with salt and pepper and serve warm.

Spinach and Udon Noodle Soup

This nourishing noodle soup combines thick udon noodles with fresh spinach in a flavorful broth, making it a filling meal.

Ingredients:

  • 4 cups vegetable broth
  • 200g udon noodles
  • 2 cups fresh spinach
  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • Sliced radish for garnish

Instructions:

  1. Cook udon noodles according to package instructions; drain and set aside.
  2. In a large pot, heat the sesame oil and add the vegetable broth. Bring it to a simmer.
  3. Add spinach and cooked noodles to the pot, and stir in soy sauce.