Japanese Clear Soup Recipe (2024)

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Japanese Clear Soup Recipe: This classic Hibachi restaurant favorite is a light and healthy soup to soothe the soul.

Japanese Clear Soup Recipe (1)

Why We Love This Japanese Clear Soup Recipe

That Japanese soup…

No, not Miso Soup. The one they serve at Hibachi restaurants before the chef comes out. On most Hibachi restaurant menus in the United States, this elusive soup is called Clear Soup.

However, it is also known as Miyabi Soup, Japanese Onion Soup, and even Hibachi Soup.

We feel the very best homemade Japanese Onion Soup is made with 2 parts chicken broth, 1 part beef broth, and extra water to allow for evaporation.

Although the color is a bit darker than some restaurant clear soups, it can be made in about an hour and has an intense meaty flavor.

It should be mentioned that most restaurants make soups like this several days in advance so the ingredients have a longer time to mix and mingle. That’s why they taste richer than homemade versions.

However, you too can make your soup several days in advance and it will taste just like it does at your favorite Hibachi restaurant.

Hibachi Clear Soup is a fun way to bring your favorite restaurant flavors home. This light lean soup is so robust and flavorful, that you’ll want to make it again and again. It might even give you the confidence to take on the onion volcano!

Japanese Clear Soup Recipe (2)

What Is Japanese Clear Soup?

This simple broth-based soup is primarily made of meat broths and vegetables simmered together over a long period to create a deep rich flavor.

The vegetables are then removed so the soup is clear, and garnishes like scallions and thinly sliced mushrooms are added to the top.

However, Japanese Clear Soup can vary in color, clarity, and even ingredients. For instance, if you use all chicken broth your clear soup will have a lighter flavor and clearer appearance. Yet it will lack in-depth compared to versions that contain some beef broth.

Whereas, if you use beef broth, depending on the brand you buy, your clear soup may not seem very light and clear at all. Some versions even skip the chicken and beef broth altogether and use mushroom broth.

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Ingredients You Need

  • Sesame Oil – adds just a slight nutty flavor
  • Chicken Broth & Beef Broth – a combo of both adds extra flavor
  • Water – the rest of the liquid is just water
  • Onion – sweet onion works best for a light flavor
  • Garlic – for aroma
  • Carrots – added veggies and flavor
  • Ginger – this adds a lot of flavor that is essential to this clear soup!
  • Scallions – or green onions, sliced thin for garnish
  • Button Mushrooms – sliced thin
  • Salt – to taste
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How to Make Japanese Clear Onion Soup

Place a large 8-quart stock pot over medium-high heat. Add the oil and place the onion, garlic, carrots, and ginger in the pot. Sear the veggies on all sides to caramelize, making sure not to burn the garlic.

Pour in the chicken broth, beef broth, and water. Bring to a boil. Lower the heat to a low boil and simmer for at least one hour.

Use a skimmer to remove the vegetables from the broth. Taste, then salt as needed.

To serve: ladle hot broth into bowls and sprinkle with chopped scallion and sliced mushrooms over the top. Enjoy!

Get the Full (Printable) Japanese Mayabi Clear Soup Recipe + Video Below!

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Serving Suggestions

This Hibachi clear soup is very light, so I recommend serving it as an appetizer or starter before a larger meal. Serve your clear soup with some of my absolute favorites like:

  • Japanese Hibachi Fried Rice
  • Asian Beef Ribs Recipe
  • Ginger Salad
  • Pork Stir Fry
  • Sukiyaki Recipe

Or, simply serve on its own for when you need to warm up or you are feeling under the weather!

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between Japanese clear soup and miso soup?

While Japanese clear soup and miso soup are both light in color and flavor, the main difference is the addition of miso. Japanese clear soup does not have any miso in it, and gets its flavor from simmering broth with onions and veggies. Miso soup is also a broth but has the addition of miso which adds a cloudy look to it. They are both topped with mushrooms and scallions, and sometimes little chunks of tofu!

Is clear soup good for you?

Yes! Clear soup is simple and doesn’t require many ingredients. It is low in fat, carbs, and calories!

How should I store leftover clear soup?

Store any leftover clear soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Reheat in the microwave or in a sauce pot! You can also freeze it in a zip bag for later!

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Looking for More Healthy Asian Soup Recipes? Be Sure to Also Try:

  • 5-Ingredient Miso Soup
  • Classic Egg Drop Soup
  • Chinese Hot Pots
  • Spicy Thai Chicken Soup
  • Low Carb Vietnamese Beef Pho

Japanese Clear Soup Recipe (8)

Print Recipe

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Japanese Clear Soup Recipe

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour hour 5 minutes minutes

Total Time: 1 hour hour 10 minutes minutes

This classic Hibachi restaurant favorite is a light and healthy soup to soothe the soul.

Servings: 10 cups

Ingredients

US CustomaryMetric

Instructions

  • Place a large 8-quart stock pot over medium-high heat. Add the oil and place the onion, garlic, carrots, and ginger in the pot. Sear the veggies on all sides to caramelize, making sure not to burn the garlic.

  • Pour in the chicken broth, beef broth, and water. Bring to a boil. Lower the heat to a low boil and simmer for at least one hour.

  • Use a skimmer to remove the vegetables from the broth. Taste, then salt as needed.

  • To serve: ladle hot broth into bowls and sprinkle chopped scallion and sliced mushrooms over the top.

Video

Notes

In restaurants, this soup is made several days in advance to allow the flavors to deepen. It’s not only a great leftover; it actually tastes better on the second day. If you have time, make it ahead, then rewarm the soup before adding the scallions and mushrooms.

*You can also add soy sauce to taste to deepen the flavor.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cup, Calories: 46kcal, Carbohydrates: 5g, Protein: 3g, Fat: 1g, Saturated Fat: 0g, Cholesterol: 0mg, Sodium: 466mg, Potassium: 360mg, Fiber: 0g, Sugar: 2g, Vitamin A: 2405IU, Vitamin C: 16.3mg, Calcium: 35mg, Iron: 0.8mg

Course: Soup

Cuisine: Japanese

Author: Sommer Collier

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Japanese Clear Soup Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is Japanese clear soup made of? ›

What Is Japanese Clear Soup? This simple broth-based soup is primarily made of meat broths and vegetables simmered together over a long period to create a deep rich flavor. The vegetables are then removed so the soup is clear, and garnishes like scallions and thinly sliced mushrooms are added to the top.

What are the 3 types of clear soups? ›

Clear soups include broth, hearty broth, and Consommé.

What is the difference between miso soup and clear soup? ›

Japanese soups can be divided into two major categories—miso soup and clear soup. Both are made with dashi, soup stock. Miso is mixed into the dashi to make miso soup, while clear soups use salt, soy sauce and sake to add flavor to the dashi. Most people tend to have miso soup with everyday meals, especially breakfast.

What is a traditional Japanese soup? ›

Miso Soup. Miso soup is the ultimate staple soup in Japanese cuisine. It's made with dashi broth mixed with miso paste.

What is the white stuff in Japanese clear soup? ›

That "stuff" is the miso paste. Unlike salt or sugar, it never really dissolves in the dashi broth to form a solution. So, if left alone long enough, the particles of miso fall to the bottom and separate.

Is Japanese clear soup good for your stomach? ›

Miso soup contains several beneficial vitamins, minerals, and components that may improve your gut and heart health and may lower your risk of cancer. If you are on a low-salt diet, read the label on packaged miso soup to choose one that's low in sodium.

What is a fancy name for clear soup? ›

In cooking, a consommé is a type of clear soup made from richly flavoured stock or broth that has been clarified, a process that uses egg whites to remove fat and sediment.

Which is an example of a clear soup? ›

Clear soups are also called passed soups, as any chunks of ingredients are taken out of the soup, and you are left with a liquid soup. Consommé, a French clarified meat or fish broth, is a classic version of a clear soup.

Can I buy clear soup? ›

Telma Clear Soup Mix Tub 400G - Tesco Groceries.

Which is healthier, miso or clear soup? ›

While both miso and Japanese clear soup taste delicious, miso soup tends to be more nutritious. Depending on the ingredients used, a cup of miso soup has around 77 calories, 6 grams of protein, less than 4 grams of fat, and 5.5 grams of carbs, including 1 gram of fiber.

Why do Japanese like miso soup? ›

Miso soup and its origins

It became a 'daily meal' for the samurais during the Kamakura period (1185–1333), and, during the age of Japanese civil wars. The recipe for its 'instant paste' was developed for military commanders to eat — which made miso soup an easily-preparable and accessible meal.

What is healthier, miso soup or clear soup? ›

Miso soup is known for its probiotic benefits due to the fermentation process of miso paste, while clear soup is often lower in calories and may be higher in protein depending on the ingredients used.

What is the pink thing in Japanese soup? ›

Fish cake: Narutomaki is a style of Japanese fish cake that can be cut into slices and added to your Shoyu ramen. It's made from a white fish paste that is rolled into a log and then steamed and sliced. Narutomaki has a pink swirl in it that comes from red food dye for aesthetic appeal.

Do Japanese eat miso every day? ›

During the Kamakura period and the age of Japanese civil wars, miso soup was used by military commanders as field ration, thus giving birth to the custom of serving miso soup with everyday meals.

What is the pink swirl in Japanese soup? ›

Narutomaki, a type of cured fish cake, is a popular ramen topping with a distinctive pink swirl.

Is Japanese clear soup the same as miso soup? ›

Japanese clear soup, on the other hand, is lighter and more watery — similar to broth. It also has a less intense flavor than miso soup, but you'll still get that umami taste. Both soups have the same base ingredient: dashi, or stock. The difference lies in their texture, nutritional value, and flavor profile.

What is a completely clear soup called? ›

In cooking, a consommé is a type of clear soup made from richly flavoured stock or broth that has been clarified, a process that uses egg whites to remove fat and sediment.

Is drinking miso soup everyday healthy? ›

Miso soup is low calorie, low fat, and high in nutrient content, so it is safe to eat daily. However, it does have a high salt content. So, those on blood thinning medication or who have heart problems (including high blood pressure and heart disease) may want to limit their consumption of miso soup.

What is miso broth made of? ›

Miso soup is a traditional Japanese soup that starts with a dashi stock and is flavored with miso paste. Dashi is an umami-rich stock made from dried seaweed and dried fish. Miso paste, meanwhile, is a paste made from soybeans, salt, and koji rice. The brothy soup usually contains tofu and green onions.

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