The Canadian Encyclopedia — neutral, cited, updated
July 26, 2026Sources cited
Canadianwire.
Canada’s encyclopedia & explainer
Home›Culture & Lifestyle›Cuisine›Miso Soup
Culture & Lifestyle • Cuisine

Miso Soup

Miso soup is a traditional Japanese soup made with dashi and miso paste, usually served with ingredients such as tofu, wakame seaweed, and green onions.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Miso soup is a traditional Japanese soup made with dashi and miso paste, usually served with ingredients such as tofu, wakame seaweed, and green onions. It is a common everyday dish in Japan and is often eaten as part of a meal or as a light starter. The soup is built around miso, a fermented soybean paste, which gives it a distinctive savoury flavour.

Composition

Miso soup is typically made from dashi and miso paste, with optional ingredients such as tofu, wakame, and vegetables. The flavour and saltiness depend on the type of miso used.

Preparation

In traditional cooking, the miso is usually dissolved in a small amount of broth before being added to the pot. The soup is then heated gently and not boiled after the miso is incorporated.

Role in Japanese cuisine

Miso soup is a standard part of everyday Japanese meals and is commonly served alongside rice and other dishes. It appears in both home cooking and restaurant settings.

Ingredients and variations

Regional and household variations may use different dashi bases, types of miso, or added ingredients such as mushrooms, root vegetables, or seafood. Vegetarian versions also exist.

Key facts

  • Miso soup is built around miso paste dissolved into a dashi-based broth.
  • Common additions include tofu, wakame, mushrooms, and scallions.
  • Traditional preparation avoids boiling the soup after miso is added.
  • It is widely regarded as a basic, everyday dish in Japanese cuisine.
  • Recipes vary regionally and by household, with different kinds of miso used.
🍁
Canadian context

Miso soup is widely available in Canadian Japanese restaurants and sushi bars, and miso paste is sold in many Canadian supermarkets and Asian grocery stores.

Frequently asked questions

What is miso soup?
Miso soup is a Japanese soup made by dissolving miso paste into dashi broth, usually with tofu, wakame, and other simple ingredients.
What is miso made from?
Miso is a fermented paste traditionally made from soybeans, and sometimes rice or barley, with salt and koji culture.
Why is miso soup not boiled after adding miso?
Traditional preparation keeps the soup below a boil after adding miso to preserve flavour and aroma and to avoid changing the texture.
Is miso soup vegetarian?
It can be vegetarian if made with a plant-based broth, but many traditional versions use dashi made with fish flakes or dried fish products.
What does miso soup usually contain?
Common ingredients include dashi, miso paste, tofu, wakame seaweed, and chopped green onions.

References

  1. Le Marché Japonais — https://blog.lemarchejaponais.fr/soupe-miso/
    Supports: Traditional ingredients, miso varieties, and the rule against boiling after miso is added.
  2. iRASSHAi — https://irasshai.co/blogs/recettes-japonaises/soupe-miso
    Supports: Traditional preparation, dashi base, and common ingredients such as tofu, wakame, and green onions.
  3. La Vie Claire — https://www.lavieclaire.com/recettes/la-soupe-miso/
    Supports: Common ingredients and a basic preparation method for miso soup.
  4. CuisineAZ — https://www.cuisineaz.com/recettes/soupe-miso-49921.aspx
    Supports: General description of miso soup as a classic Japanese soup and its use as a starter.