HomeTop 10 popular MISO SOUP ingredients in Japan
01/02/2023
Miso soup is comfort food for many Japanese people.
Depending on the family and location, the ingredients used in miso soup can vary. People have a lot of freedom to add whatever they want to miso soup.
But what ingredients are popular?
Okay, I will introduce top 10 popular ingredients surveyed by Miso Health Promotion Committee in 2013.
No.1 Tofu
When it comes to miso soup, I think most people imagine tofu in miso soup. I agree that tofu is the most popular ingredient.
This probably divided into those who like silken tofu and firm tofu.
No.2 Wakame (seaweed)
We usually combine 2 or more ingredients for miso soup. Wakame and tofu is the best combination and is a typical miso soup.
No.3 Abura-age (deep-fried tofu)
Abura-age makes miso soup very rich. Personally speaking, Abura-age is my favorite ingredient. Abura-age and green onion that, which is ranked as 4th, make a very good match.
No.4 Negi (green onions/welsh onions)
There are two different types of negi -green onions and welsh onions.
Green onions are called “ko-negi” or “bannou-negi” and look like the picture above.
Welsh onions are called “naga-negi” or “shiro-negi” and look like the picture above. It looks like a leek, but it is different.
The survey did not mention which one ranked as 4th. I guess it is because people just choose the one they like.
Green onions used to be more common in Kansai region and Welsh onions used to be more common in Kanto region. But in this day and age, both green onions and welsh onions are available anywhere because of good distribution.
No.5 Daikon (Japanese white radish)
A Japanese white radish is a big root vegetable and quite popular in Japan. It goes well with Abura-age or wakame.
No.6 Nameko mushrooms
Nameko mushrooms are small, brown, slimy, and gooey mushrooms. It is often used in miso soup.
No.7 Shijimi clam (freshwater clam)
Shijimi clam miso soup is a Japanese hangover cure. Shijimi is rich in ornithine that is an amino acid that helps the liver function.
People buy this when they have a terrible hangover because it has 70 times the power of shijimi claims in one serving. Honestly, I am not a big fan of this, but I have it every time I have a hangover hoping to get well soon.
I like homemade miso soup using real shijimi clams.
No.8 Potatoes
Potatoes in miso soup are usually cut into bite-size pieces. Some potato and wakame seaweed are a typical combination.
No.9 Egg
Add the beaten egg into the boiled water to make the egg miso soup.
I love to add some wakame seaweed or spinach in addition to the egg miso soup.
No.10 Enoki mushrooms
Enoki mushrooms are long thin white mushrooms that have a delicate savory flavor and crispy texture.
| No.1 | Tofu |
| No.2 | Wakame (seaweed) |
| No.3 | Abura-age (deep-fried tofu) |
| No.4 | Negi (green onions/welsh onions) |
| No.5 | Daikon (Japanese white radish) |
| No.6 | Nameko mushrooms |
| No.7 | Shijimi clam (freshwater clam) |
| No.8 | Potatoes |
| No.9 | Eggs |
| No.10 | Enoki mushrooms |
How was the ranking? Are there your favorite ingredients?
Leave a comment and tell me about your favorite ingredient!
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