Japanese Clear Soup Recipe

Introduction

Japanese clear soup is a light and flavorful broth that highlights simple, fresh ingredients. This comforting soup is perfect as a starter or a soothing meal on its own, featuring a delicate balance of savory chicken broth and aromatic vegetables.

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon neutral oil
• 1 large sweet onion, peeled and cut into wedges
• 3 medium carrots, cut into chunks
• 1 piece fresh ginger (2 inches), sliced
• 5 cloves garlic, peeled and sliced
• 6 cups chicken broth
• Salt, to taste
• 3 scallions, sliced
• 12 button mushrooms, sliced thinly

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat the neutral oil in a large pot over medium-high heat.
2. Step 2: Add the sweet onion, carrots, and sliced ginger to the pot. Sear the vegetables until their edges begin to brown, enhancing their flavor.
3. Step 3: Add the sliced garlic and cook for about 1 minute, stirring, until it starts to brown lightly.
4. Step 4: Pour in the chicken broth, bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot and let it simmer gently for 1 hour to develop a rich broth.
5. Step 5: Strain the broth through a fine-mesh sieve to remove the vegetables. Discard the solids and season the broth with salt to taste.
6. Step 6: Divide the hot, clear broth among four bowls and garnish each with sliced scallions and thinly sliced button mushrooms.

Tips & Variations

• For a vegetarian version, substitute chicken broth with vegetable broth and skip any meat-based seasoning.
• Add a splash of soy sauce or a few drops of sesame oil for extra depth of flavor.
• Use shiitake mushrooms instead of button mushrooms for a more authentic Japanese touch.
• Gently warm the scallions and mushrooms in the broth before serving if you prefer them softer.

Storage

Store the clear soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat to preserve the delicate flavors. Avoid boiling the soup again as it may become cloudy or lose its subtle aroma.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this soup ahead of time?

Yes, the broth can be made a day ahead and refrigerated. Reheat gently before serving and add fresh scallions and mushrooms just before serving for the best texture.

What can I use if I don’t have a fine-mesh sieve?

You can use cheesecloth or a clean kitchen towel over a colander to strain the broth effectively and remove solids for a clear finish.

Japanese Clear Soup Recipe

Pin Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.8 from 114 reviews

This Japanese Clear Soup is a light and flavorful broth made by simmering aromatic vegetables and chicken broth, then straining to create a delicate, clear soup. Topped with fresh scallions and thinly sliced mushrooms, it offers a comforting and healthy starter that embodies the simplicity and elegance of traditional Japanese cuisine.

• Author: Elena
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Soup
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: Japanese

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Vegetables

• 1 large sweet onion, peeled and cut into wedges
• 3 medium carrots, cut into chunks
• 1 piece fresh ginger (2 inches), sliced
• 5 cloves garlic, peeled and sliced
• 3 scallions, sliced
• 12 button mushrooms, sliced thinly

Liquids & Oils

• 1 tablespoon neutral oil
• 6 cups chicken broth

Seasoning

• Salt, to taste

Instructions

1. Heat oil: Add 1 tablespoon of neutral oil to a large pot over medium-high heat to prepare for searing the vegetables.
2. Sear vegetables: Add the sweet onion wedges, carrot chunks, and sliced ginger to the pot. Sear them until the edges begin to brown, which helps develop depth of flavor in the broth.
3. Sauté garlic: Add the sliced garlic cloves and cook for about 1 minute until they start to brown lightly, releasing their aroma without burning.
4. Simmer broth: Pour in 6 cups of chicken broth and bring the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it simmer gently for 1 hour to fully extract flavors from the vegetables and aromatics.
5. Strain broth: After simmering, strain the broth through a fine-mesh sieve to remove all the cooked vegetables and solids. Discard these solids and season the clear broth with salt to your taste.
6. Serve: Divide the hot, clear broth equally into four bowls and garnish each with sliced scallions and thinly sliced button mushrooms for added texture and freshness.

Notes

• For a vegetarian version, substitute chicken broth with vegetable broth.
• Make sure not to burn the garlic as it can turn the broth bitter.
• The soup can be served as a starter or a light meal.
• Adjust the salt seasoning after straining to avoid over-salting.
• Use fresh mushrooms for the best texture; shiitake mushrooms can be a delicious alternative.

Keywords: Japanese clear soup, chicken broth soup, light soup, vegetable broth, scallion garnish, mushroom soup, simple Japanese recipe