This is not a recipe for traditional Japanese miso soup based on dashi broth. It’s rather an idea for how to transform an ordinary vegetable soup into a warming soup with an Asian twist. I have a habit of checking my fridge before doing major shopping and I usually find some leftover vegetables there, which are perfect for making this kind of soup. Of course, everyone can use whatever vegetables they like. In season, I recommend adding green beans.

The flavor of the soup is mainly determined by miso paste, which is a paste made from fermented soybeans. I use genmai miso, a paste made from soybeans and brown rice. To preserve as many of miso paste’s properties as possible, it shouldn’t be added to boiling water – it’s better to wait until the soup stops cooking.

If we want to make the soup quickly, we can use our favorite frozen vegetables, for example Asian vegetables (without seasonings).

I most often serve this soup with Japanese buckwheat soba noodles or rice noodles.

Vegetable Soup with Miso Paste

1 – 1.5 liters vegetable broth or water

1 medium carrot, peeled and cut into matchsticks

8 mushrooms, sliced

1/2 small napa cabbage, shredded

2 handfuls of broccoli or cauliflower florets

1 garlic clove, peeled and pressed through a garlic press

2 cm ginger root, peeled and grated

soy sauce or tamari

miso paste

sesame oil, optional

to serve: sliced leek, sesame seeds, chilli, chives, seaweed…

Bring the broth or water to a boil, add the carrot and mushrooms and simmer over low heat for 5 minutes.

Add the napa cabbage and broccoli or cauliflower and cook for another 4 minutes.

Add the ginger and garlic, bring to a boil and turn off the heat.

In a separate bowl, place the miso paste – I suggest starting with 1 or 2 tablespoons – add a few tablespoons of broth from the soup and mix thoroughly. Pour everything into the soup. If necessary, add more miso paste and season the soup with soy sauce. We can also add a little sesame oil. If someone likes spicy dishes, you can add chilli flakes.

Serve the soup with soba or rice noodles and your favorite toppings.