Description
This Japanese Clear Mushroom Soup is a light, flavorful broth-based soup featuring a blend of shiitake and other mushrooms simmered in dashi stock. Enhanced with traditional seasonings like soy sauce, mirin, and optional sesame oil, it’s garnished with fresh green onions and herbs for a delicate, umami-rich experience perfect as a starter or light meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Soup Base
- 4 cups dashi stock (from instant dashi powder or homemade)
Mushrooms
- 1 cup shiitake mushrooms, sliced (or mixed mushrooms: oyster, enoki, button)
Seasonings
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp mirin
- 1 tsp sesame oil (optional)
- 1/2 tsp salt (or to taste)
- 1/4 tsp white pepper (optional)
Garnish
- 1/2 cup thinly sliced green onions (scallions)
- Fresh parsley or cilantro (optional)
Instructions
- Heat the Dashi Stock: In a medium pot, bring 4 cups of dashi stock to a gentle simmer over medium heat, creating the flavorful base for the soup.
- Cook the Mushrooms: Add the sliced shiitake or mixed mushrooms to the simmering stock and cook for 3-4 minutes until they soften and impart their earthy flavors into the broth.
- Add Seasonings: Stir in 1 tablespoon soy sauce, 1 tablespoon mirin, 1 teaspoon sesame oil if using, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon white pepper to season the soup. Taste and adjust the seasoning as desired by adding more soy sauce or salt.
- Simmer to Meld Flavors: Allow the soup to simmer gently for another 2-3 minutes, letting all the flavors blend together beautifully.
- Add Green Onions and Remove from Heat: Just before serving, stir in the thinly sliced green onions to add freshness, then remove the soup from the heat to preserve their crispness.
- Serve and Garnish: Ladle the hot soup into bowls, garnish with fresh parsley or cilantro if desired, and serve immediately for an authentic Japanese clear mushroom soup experience.
Notes
- You can substitute dashi stock with vegetable broth for a vegetarian version, although the flavor profile will differ slightly.
- Adjust the amount of soy sauce and salt according to your dietary needs for sodium control.
- Adding sesame oil is optional but recommended for a richer aroma and flavor.
- Use a mix of mushrooms to enhance texture and depth of flavor.
- Serve the soup immediately to enjoy the best freshness and taste.
