Japanese Clear Soup Recipe (2024)

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Japanese Clear Soup Recipe: This classic Hibachi restaurant favorite is a light and healthy soup to soothe the soul.

Japanese Clear Soup Recipe (1)

Why We Love This Japanese Clear Soup Recipe

That Japanese soup…

No, not Miso Soup. The one they serve at Hibachi restaurants before the chef comes out. On most Hibachi restaurant menus in the United States, this elusive soup is called Clear Soup.

However, it is also known as Miyabi Soup, Japanese Onion Soup, and even Hibachi Soup.

We feel the very best homemade Japanese Onion Soup is made with 2 parts chicken broth, 1 part beef broth, and extra water to allow for evaporation.

Although the color is a bit darker than some restaurant clear soups, it can be made in about an hour and has an intense meaty flavor.

It should be mentioned that most restaurants make soups like this several days in advance so the ingredients have a longer time to mix and mingle. That’s why they taste richer than homemade versions.

However, you too can make your soup several days in advance and it will taste just like it does at your favorite Hibachi restaurant.

Hibachi Clear Soup is a fun way to bring your favorite restaurant flavors home.

This light lean soup is so robust and flavorful, that you’ll want to make it again and again.

It might even give you the confidence to take on the onion volcano!

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What Is Japanese Clear Soup?

This simple broth-based soup is primarily made of meat broths and vegetables simmered together over a long period to create a deep rich flavor.

The vegetables are then removed so the soup is clear, and garnishes like scallions and thinly sliced mushrooms are added to the top.

However, Japanese Clear Soup can vary in color, clarity, and even ingredients.

For instance, if you use all chicken broth your clear soup will have a lighter flavor and clearer appearance. Yet it will lack in-depth compared to versions that contain some beef broth.

Whereas, if you use beef broth, depending on the brand you buy, your clear soup may not seem very light and clear at all.

Some versions even skip the chicken and beef broth altogether and use mushroom broth.

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Ingredients You Need

  • Sesame Oil – adds just a slight nutty flavor
  • Chicken Broth & Beef Broth – a combo of both adds extra flavor
  • Water – the rest of the liquid is just water
  • Onion – sweet onion works best for a light flavor
  • Garlic – for aroma
  • Carrots – added veggies and flavor
  • Ginger – this adds a lot of flavor that is essential to this clear soup!
  • Scallions – or green onions, sliced thin for garnish
  • Button Mushrooms – sliced thin
  • Salt – to taste
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How to Make Japanese Clear Onion Soup

Place a large 8-quart stock pot over medium-high heat. Add the oil and place the onion, garlic, carrots, and ginger in the pot. Sear the veggies on all sides to caramelize, making sure not to burn the garlic.

Pour in the chicken broth, beef broth, and water. Bring to a boil. Lower the heat to a low boil and simmer for at least one hour.

Use a skimmer to remove the vegetables from the broth. Taste, then salt as needed.

To serve: ladle hot broth into bowls and sprinkle with chopped scallion and sliced mushrooms over the top. Enjoy!

Get the Full (Printable) Japanese Mayabi Clear Soup Recipe + Video Below!

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Serving Suggestions

This Hibachi clear soup is very light, so I recommend serving it as an appetizer or starter before a larger meal. Serve your clear soup with some of my absolute favorites like:

  • Japanese Hibachi Fried Rice
  • Asian Beef Ribs Recipe
  • Ginger Salad
  • Pork Stir Fry
  • Sukiyaki Recipe

Or, simply serve on its own for when you need to warm up or you are feeling under the weather!

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between Japanese clear soup and miso soup?

While Japanese clear soup and miso soup are both light in color and flavor, the main difference is the addition of miso. Japanese clear soup does not have any miso in it, and gets its flavor from simmering broth with onions and veggies. Miso soup is also a broth but has the addition of miso which adds a cloudy look to it. They are both topped with mushrooms and scallions, and sometimes little chunks of tofu!

Is clear soup good for you?

Yes! Clear soup is simple and doesn’t require many ingredients. It is low in fat, carbs, and calories!

How should I store leftover clear soup?

Store any leftover clear soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Reheat in the microwave or in a sauce pot! You can also freeze it in a zip bag for later!

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Looking for More Healthy Asian Soup Recipes? Be Sure to Also Try:

  • 5-Ingredient Miso Soup
  • Classic Egg Drop Soup
  • Chinese Hot Pots
  • Spicy Thai Chicken Soup
  • Low Carb Vietnamese Beef Pho

Japanese Clear Soup Recipe (8)

Print Recipe

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Japanese Clear Soup Recipe

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour hour 5 minutes minutes

Total Time: 1 hour hour 10 minutes minutes

This classic Hibachi restaurant favorite is a light and healthy soup to soothe the soul.

Servings: 10 cups

Ingredients

US CustomaryMetric

Instructions

  • Place a large 8-quart stock pot over medium-high heat. Add the oil and place the onion, garlic, carrots, and ginger in the pot. Sear the veggies on all sides to caramelize, making sure not to burn the garlic.

  • Pour in the chicken broth, beef broth, and water. Bring to a boil. Lower the heat to a low boil and simmer for at least one hour.

  • Use a skimmer to remove the vegetables from the broth. Taste, then salt as needed.

  • To serve: ladle hot broth into bowls and sprinkle chopped scallion and sliced mushrooms over the top.

Video

Notes

In restaurants, this soup is made several days in advance to allow the flavors to deepen. It’s not only a great leftover; it actually tastes better on the second day. If you have time, make it ahead, then rewarm the soup before adding the scallions and mushrooms.

*You can also add soy sauce to taste to deepen the flavor.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cup, Calories: 46kcal, Carbohydrates: 5g, Protein: 3g, Fat: 1g, Saturated Fat: 0g, Cholesterol: 0mg, Sodium: 466mg, Potassium: 360mg, Fiber: 0g, Sugar: 2g, Vitamin A: 2405IU, Vitamin C: 16.3mg, Calcium: 35mg, Iron: 0.8mg

Course: Soup

Cuisine: Japanese

Author: Sommer Collier

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Japanese Clear Soup Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is Japanese clear soup made of? ›

It's made by simmering vegetables in a broth and removing it to leave a clear, but flavorful broth, before adding mushrooms and green onion. You may be familiar with soup after getting it from a restaurant, and it's so easy to make at home! This version is soy-free, gluten-free, and incredibly healthy and simple.

What are the 3 types of clear soups? ›

Clear soups include broth, hearty broth, and Consommé.

What's the difference between miso soup and clear soup? ›

Japanese soups can be divided into two major categories—miso soup and clear soup. Both are made with dashi, soup stock. Miso is mixed into the dashi to make miso soup, while clear soups use salt, soy sauce and sake to add flavor to the dashi. Most people tend to have miso soup with everyday meals, especially breakfast.

What is Chinese clear soup made of? ›

Clear soup is usually made with veggies like carrots, french beans, mushrooms, cabbage, bok choy, cauliflower, broccoli, yellow onion, celery stalks & sweet corn.

Is Japanese clear soup good for your stomach? ›

The Health Benefits Of Clear Soup And Miso

It's a good source of calcium, zinc, manganese, copper, iron, and B-complex vitamins. Miso paste, one of its main ingredients, is rich in probiotics and supports gut health.

Is drinking miso soup everyday healthy? ›

Yes, miso soup is healthy, with the benefits far outweighing the negatives of consuming this soup. According to Japanese cuisine, it's a must-have for daily consumption because of its high nutritional content. Miso soup is low calorie, low fat, and high in nutrient content, so it is safe to eat daily.

What is a completely clear soup called? ›

In cooking, a consommé is a type of clear soup made from richly flavoured stock or broth that has been clarified, a process that uses egg whites to remove fat and sediment.

Does miso soup fill you up? ›

Miso soup, because of its high umami flavours from the amino acids in the fermented soybeans, scores high in satiety. In other words, miso can make you feel satisfied very quickly, and can really take the edge off if you are feeling peckish.

What is a substitute for miso in soup? ›

Soy Sauce/ Aminos

Soy sauce is the most common substitute for miso paste. Miso is thick and creamy, whereas soy sauce is thin like water, but if texture isn't a factor, they are both made of soy and chock full of salty and savory notes.

What is the name of the Thai clear soup? ›

Clear Soups

In Thai, these are known as gaeng jeud, which translates as “bland curry,” or tom jeud, which literally means “bland soup,” but they are anything but bland.

What is the white stuff in Japanese soup? ›

Miso paste, the white stuff in miso soup, is a versatile ingredient that can be used in various dishes. It can be used as a marinade for meats, added to salad dressings, or used to flavor stir-fries and sauces.

Why do Chinese drink soup before eating? ›

Drinking soup before dinner is a big part of Cantonese culture, we believe that hot soup can nourish one's beauty (all that collagen), strengthen physical health, and even prevent diseases. #chinesecooking #homecooked #familymeals #soup.

What is clear broth soup made of? ›

What Is Japanese Clear Soup? This simple broth-based soup is primarily made of meat broths and vegetables simmered together over a long period to create a deep rich flavor. The vegetables are then removed so the soup is clear, and garnishes like scallions and thinly sliced mushrooms are added to the top.

What is Japanese soup stock made of? ›

Dashi most commonly utilizes a combination of kombu (kelp seaweed) and katsuobushi (dried bonito flakes), but other ingredients used to make dashi are shiitake mushrooms and niboshi (small dried fish). Dashi making has evolved over a long period of time.

What is miso broth made of? ›

Miso soup is a traditional Japanese soup. Its base is dashi, an umami stock that's typically made with a mix of dried bonito flakes and dried kombu kelp. The soup is then flavored with miso, or fermented soybean paste. Numerous varieties of miso soup are made throughout Japan.

What is the most common soup in Japan? ›

Miso soup is the ultimate staple soup in Japanese cuisine. It's made with dashi broth mixed with miso paste. Along with dashi, miso is a traditional food that's one of the fundamental ingredients of Japanese cooking.

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