Description
A delicate and flavorful Japanese Clear Mushroom Soup featuring earthy shiitake mushrooms simmered in traditional dashi broth, enhanced with soy sauce, mirin, and a hint of sesame oil. This light and comforting soup is perfect for a quick appetizer or a soothing meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Soup Base
- 4 cups dashi stock (instant dashi powder or homemade)
Mushrooms and Vegetables
- 1 cup shiitake mushrooms, sliced (or mixed mushrooms like oyster, enoki, or button)
- 1/2 cup thinly sliced green onions (scallions)
Seasonings
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp mirin
- 1 tsp sesame oil (optional, for added flavor)
- 1/2 tsp salt (or to taste)
- 1/4 tsp white pepper (optional, for mild heat)
Garnish
- Fresh parsley or cilantro (optional)
Instructions
- Heat the Dashi Stock: In a medium pot, bring the dashi stock to a simmer over medium heat, which forms the flavorful base for your soup.
- Cook the Mushrooms: Add the sliced mushrooms to the simmering stock and cook for about 3-4 minutes until they soften and infuse the broth with their earthy aroma.
- Add Seasonings: Stir in soy sauce, mirin, optional sesame oil, salt, and optional white pepper. Taste and adjust the seasoning by adding more soy sauce or salt if needed to balance flavors.
- Simmer to Blend Flavors: Let the soup simmer gently for an additional 2-3 minutes to allow the flavors to meld beautifully.
- Add Green Onions: Just before turning off the heat, stir in the sliced green onions to maintain their fresh crispness and vibrant flavor.
- Serve and Garnish: Ladle the hot soup into bowls, garnish with fresh parsley or cilantro if desired, and serve immediately for best taste and warmth.
Notes
- Use a variety of mushrooms for richer flavor.
- Adjust salt and soy sauce to your preference for sodium control.
- Optional sesame oil adds a subtle nutty aroma.
- Dashi stock can be made from scratch or prepared quickly with instant powder.
- Serve immediately to enjoy the fresh flavors and textures.
