How to Make Traditional Japanese Miso Soup (Easy & Simple)

July 19, 2025

Therapeutic Nutrition

How to Make Traditional Japanese Miso Soup - Quickly and Simply

As a Japanese acupuncturist, I often guide patients toward holistic, natural ways of supporting their health – and one of the easiest and most powerful is through traditional food. One of the most nourishing staples in Japanese cuisine is miso soup.

In Japan, miso soup isn’t just something we eat occasionally – it’s a daily ritual, often enjoyed with breakfast, lunch, or dinner. It’s warm, grounding, and deeply healing. It connects generations, from grandparents to children, and reminds us of the importance of balance – not only in our bodies, but in life.

In this blog post, I’ll teach you how to make miso soup at home, using a simple, fast method that anyone can do — no matter where you live or what your cooking level is. I’ll also explain why miso is more than just a flavorful ingredient — it’s a functional food packed with probiotics, nutrients, and healing properties that support your gut, mind, and immune system.

We understand this can be a lot of information and overwhelming: if you are looking for more support and answers, set up a free consultation with our licensed acupuncturist, Satoru Ozawa. Share your story, get your questions answered, and learn how you can set yourself up for tremendous success in achieving a healthy life.

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What Is Miso?

Miso (味噌) is a traditional Japanese fermented paste made primarily from soybeans, salt, and a fermentation culture called koji (a type of mold grown on rice, barley, or soybeans). The fermentation process can last from a few weeks to a few years, depending on the type of miso.

There are several varieties of miso, each with its own flavor and nutritional profile:

White miso (shiro miso): Mild and slightly sweet. Fermented for a shorter time.
Red miso (aka miso): Rich, salty, and bold. Fermented longer.
Mixed miso (awase miso): A combination of red and white — well-balanced and versatile.

Miso has a deep, savory flavor known as umami, which adds richness and complexity to any dish. But it’s not just a seasoning — it’s a living food with significant health benefits.

Health Benefits of Miso

In traditional Japanese culture, food and medicine are not separate — they are deeply interconnected. Miso is a perfect example of this. Regularly consuming miso soup can provide a wide range of health benefits:

1. Supports Gut Health

Miso is rich in probiotics, the beneficial bacteria that help maintain a healthy gut microbiome. A balanced gut flora is essential for good digestion, nutrient absorption, immune function, and even mood regulation.

2. Lowers Blood Pressure

Some Japanese studies have suggested that miso may help reduce high blood pressure. Despite its salt content, the fermentation process and other compounds in miso may counteract the typical effects of sodium on blood pressure.

3. Boosts Immunity

The fermentation process increases the bioavailability of nutrients and creates immune-supporting compounds. Miso contains zinc, copper, and antioxidants — all of which are important for a strong immune system.

4. Detoxifying Properties

After the atomic bombings in World War II, some Japanese doctors noted that patients who consumed miso regularly appeared to recover faster and have lower rates of radiation illness. Some later studies have looked into miso’s ability to bind with and help eliminate toxins and heavy metals from the body.

Cultural Significance of Miso Soup

In Japan, miso soup is more than just a dish — it’s a cultural and emotional comfort. Many of us associate it with home, family meals, and the warmth of tradition. It’s usually served as part of an everyday meal, along with rice, vegetables, and fish or tofu.

A traditional Japanese breakfast often includes a bowl of miso soup, which helps warm the stomach and activate digestion gently. It’s soothing and grounding, especially during colder months, or during times of stress or illness.

Even today, many Japanese families pass down their miso soup recipe from generation to generation, each one with slight differences — different miso types, vegetables, or broths — but the heart of the soup remains the same.

How to Make Traditional Japanese Miso Soup at Home

You don’t need to be an experienced cook to enjoy this healthful soup. Here’s how to make a quick and easy version at home in about 5 minutes.

Ingredients (1–2 servings):

1 cup (240ml) of water
1 teaspoon of dashi granules (traditional soup stock; use kombu for a vegan version)
1 tablespoon of miso paste (white, red, or mixed)
Optional toppings: chopped green onions, tofu cubes, dried seaweed (wakame), mushrooms, or spinach

Instructions:

Bring water to a simmer in a small pot.
Add dashi and stir until dissolved. If you’re using kombu instead of granules, let it simmer gently for a few minutes and remove before adding miso.
Turn off the heat. This is very important — do not boil miso, as high heat can destroy its beneficial probiotics.
Add miso paste by placing it in a small strainer or ladle, then dissolving it into the broth with a spoon or chopsticks. Stir gently until fully mixed.
Add your toppings (tofu, green onions, wakame, etc.) and stir once more.
Serve warm and enjoy immediately.

That’s it! You now have a delicious, deeply nourishing bowl of miso soup.

Tips and Variations

Meal prep idea: Pre-chop tofu, scallions, and seaweed and store them in the fridge. That way, you can make miso soup even faster.
Try different miso types: White miso is mild and great for beginners; red miso is more intense and excellent for winter.
Boost nutrition: Add spinach, grated ginger, mushrooms, or even a poached egg for an extra nutrient kick.

A Daily Practice of Nourishment

As someone who grew up in Japan and now practices acupuncture and holistic medicine, I truly believe that simple daily habits — like a warm bowl of miso soup — can have a big impact on your overall health.

Miso soup brings together ancient wisdom, traditional food preparation, and modern health science. It’s comforting, healing, and deeply satisfying. Whether you’re looking to improve your digestion, support your immune system, or just bring more mindfulness into your meals, miso soup is a beautiful place to start.

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How Miso Soup Reflects the Wisdom of Acupuncture

Miso soup is a beautiful example of how traditional Japanese culture integrates food and medicine. Just like acupuncture, it supports your health by restoring balance and promoting the body’s natural ability to heal.

In both Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Japanese medicine, we see the body as an interconnected system. What you eat, how you breathe, how you sleep — it’s all connected to your energy flow (Qi) and overall well-being.

When I provide acupuncture treatments, I often talk with patients about their digestion, stress, and lifestyle. Miso soup is one of the simple, effective tools I recommend to support those systems from the inside out.

Final Thoughts

If you’ve never made miso soup before, I encourage you to try this simple recipe. It may become a new daily ritual that supports your body and brings you a sense of calm.

Want more insights on traditional Japanese wellness, acupuncture, and healing foods? Stay connected with my blog — I’ll be sharing more easy, powerful ways to support your health naturally. Thank you for taking the time to read this blog post! I appreciate your interest and look forward to seeing you again for future posts.

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