Description
This Japanese clear soup is a light, comforting, and nourishing dish featuring a dashi broth brightened by a vibrant jade scallion oil. It’s an elegant meal that comes together quickly, perfect for busy evenings.
Ingredients
- 6 cups water
- 2 teaspoons dashi granules or 1 dashi packet
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce (use Tamari for gluten-free)
- 1 tablespoon mirin
- 0.25 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
- 1 cup sliced mushrooms (shiitake or cremini)
- 3 cups baby spinach
- 8 oz silken or firm tofu, cubed (organic recommended)
- 1 bunch green onions (scallions), green parts only
- 0.5 cup neutral oil (canola or grapeseed)
- 0.25 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Make Dashi Broth: Combine 6 cups water with 2 teaspoons dashi granules in a medium saucepan. Bring to a gentle simmer (tiny bubbles forming) over medium heat for about 5-7 minutes. Reduce heat to low, stir in 2 tablespoons soy sauce and 1 tablespoon mirin. Taste and adjust with a pinch more salt if needed, letting it warm through for 2-3 minutes.
- Prepare Scallion Oil: Finely chop the green parts of 1 bunch scallions. Place the chopped scallions in a small, heat-proof bowl with 0.25 teaspoon salt. Heat 0.5 cup neutral oil in a small pan until shimmering and lightly smoking (around 350F / 175C), which takes 3-5 minutes. Carefully pour the hot oil over the scallions, stirring quickly until they sizzle and turn vibrant green.
- Cook Soup Fillings: Add 1 cup sliced mushrooms to the simmering clear soup broth. Cook for 3-4 minutes until they soften. Gently add 8 oz cubed tofu to the pot and heat through for 1-2 minutes until warmed. Just before serving, stir in 3 cups baby spinach until wilted (about 30 seconds).
Notes
For gluten-free: use tamari instead of regular soy sauce. For vegan/vegetarian: use kombu-based dashi granules or vegetable broth and ensure tofu is the main protein. Flavor boosters: Add a thin sliver of fresh ginger to the broth or a few drops of sesame oil to the scallion oil. Shortcuts: Use pre-sliced mushrooms or pre-made dashi packets/vegetable broth for quicker prep.
- Prep Time: 16 minutes
- Cook Time: 21 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop, Simmering
- Cuisine: Japanese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups (approx 360 ml)
- Calories: 150 calories
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg