Miso soup is a traditional Japanese soup that’s served with many meals. The flavorful soup base, dashi, is often made with dried seafood. Fortunately, it’s easy to make a vegan dashi using umami-packed kombu and dried shiitake mushrooms.

How to Make Vegan Miso Soup: Easy Vegan Miso Soup Recipe

Vegan miso soup is a plant-based version of [miso soup](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/authentic-japanese-miso-soup-recipe). A comfort-food staple in Japanese cuisine, miso soup, also known as omiotsuke, is made with [miso](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-miso-easy-miso-broth-recipe-with-chef-gordon-ramsay), [dashi stock](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/dashi-explained), and add-ins such as [tofu](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-tofu), [scallions](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/scallions-ingredient-guide), and toasted nori <a href='https://masterclass.com/articles/what-is-edible-seaweed' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://masterclass.com/articles/what-is-edible-seaweed","linkCopy":"seaweed","category":"automated-link"}' automatic='true'>seaweed</a>. With so few ingredients, it’s easy to make traditional miso soup entirely vegan. Simply ensure that your dashi is flavored with kombu (kombu dashi) and/or dried shiitake mushrooms (shiitake dashi) rather than bonito flakes (awase dashi) or dried anchovies (ikiro dashi). An easier, less authentic way to make miso soup vegan is to use your favorite grocery-store vegetable broth instead of making your own dashi.
Miso is a fermented food made from soybeans cultured with koji (*Aspergillus oryzae*), a rice fungus also used to make [sake](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/sake-guide). Miso paste contains high levels of probiotics, which may have health benefits. There are several types of miso paste, generally categorized by color. Four of the most popular include:

1. __Aka miso (red miso)__: Red miso is made from a mixture of soybeans, barley, and other grains. The higher soy content and longer fermentation process creates the red-to-dark brown coloring and umami flavor that make it perfect for hearty soups and braises.
2. __Shiro miso (white miso)__: This miso contains a larger proportion of rice, which, combined with the shorter fermentation period, results in a lighter color. White miso varies in color from off-white to light beige. Its sweeter flavor is ideal for dressings and lighter sauces.
3. __Awase miso (mixed miso)__: This blend of white and red miso, provides depth of flavor, from the red miso, with the lightness of the white miso. Awase miso is one of the most popular and versatile miso varieties. 
4. __Shinshu miso (yellow miso)__: Yellow miso is a type of miso made with soybeans, barley, and a smaller amount of rice, yielding a yellow to light brown color. It has an earthy flavor profile that works well in glazes and noodle soup such as [ramen](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/ramen-recipe), [udon](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-are-udon-noodles), and [soba](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-soba-noodles).
Miso soup is often served as an appetizer or side dish alongside rice dishes, noodle dishes, and [sushi](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/hand-roll-sushi-guide). Use the rest of your meal as a guide when deciding which add-ins to incorporate.

1. __Tofu__: Tofu is made from soybeans, just like miso, and is one of the most common miso soup additions. Many miso soups use soft tofu or silken tofu, but if you prefer a little more density, try extra-firm tofu or tofu that has already been baked or fried for a little extra texture.
2. __Mushrooms__: Mushrooms are a great choice if you’re looking to add earthy, umami flavors to your miso soup. Try enoki mushrooms or sliced fresh shiitake mushrooms.
3. __Scallions__: Thinly sliced scallions, also known as green onions, are the quintessential garnish for miso soup. Use the white and green parts.
4. __Seaweed__: Miso soup is typically served with a [chiffonade](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-chiffonade) of toasted nori, while the dashi broth is made with dried kombu (kelp). Try adding [wakame](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/wakame-seaweed-guide), another type of dried seaweed, to your soup for extra texture.
5. __Vegetables__: Add your own twist to miso soup with your favorite veggies such as, daikon, potatoes, onions, bok choy, leeks, cabbage, or eggplant.
Miso soup is a traditional Japanese soup that’s served with many meals. The flavorful soup base, dashi, is often made with dried seafood. Fortunately, it’s easy to make a vegan dashi using umami-packed kombu and dried shiitake mushrooms.

Vegan miso soup is a plant-based version of <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/authentic-japanese-miso-soup-recipe' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/authentic-japanese-miso-soup-recipe","linkCopy":"miso soup","category":null}'>miso soup</a>. A comfort-food staple in Japanese cuisine, miso soup, also known as omiotsuke, is made with <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-miso-easy-miso-broth-recipe-with-chef-gordon-ramsay' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-miso-easy-miso-broth-recipe-with-chef-gordon-ramsay","linkCopy":"miso","category":null}'>miso</a>, <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/dashi-explained' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/dashi-explained","linkCopy":"dashi stock","category":null}'>dashi stock</a>, and add-ins such as <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-tofu' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-tofu","linkCopy":"tofu","category":null}'>tofu</a>, <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/scallions-ingredient-guide' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/scallions-ingredient-guide","linkCopy":"scallions","category":null}'>scallions</a>, and toasted nori <a href='https://masterclass.com/articles/what-is-edible-seaweed' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://masterclass.com/articles/what-is-edible-seaweed","linkCopy":"seaweed","category":"automated-link"}' automatic='true'>seaweed</a>. With so few ingredients, it’s easy to make traditional miso soup entirely vegan. Simply ensure that your dashi is flavored with kombu (kombu dashi) and/or dried shiitake mushrooms (shiitake dashi) rather than bonito flakes (awase dashi) or dried anchovies (ikiro dashi). An easier, less authentic way to make miso soup vegan is to use your favorite grocery-store vegetable broth instead of making your own dashi.

What Is Vegan Miso Soup?

Miso is a fermented food made from soybeans cultured with koji (Aspergillus oryzae), a rice fungus also used to make <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/sake-guide' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/sake-guide","linkCopy":"sake","category":null}'>sake</a>. Miso paste contains high levels of probiotics, which may have health benefits. There are several types of miso paste, generally categorized by color. Four of the most popular include:<ol class="mc-m-4"><li class="mc-my-4"> 1. Aka miso (red miso): Red miso is made from a mixture of soybeans, barley, and other grains. The higher soy content and longer fermentation process creates the red-to-dark brown coloring and umami flavor that make it perfect for hearty soups and braises. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 2. Shiro miso (white miso): This miso contains a larger proportion of rice, which, combined with the shorter fermentation period, results in a lighter color. White miso varies in color from off-white to light beige. Its sweeter flavor is ideal for dressings and lighter sauces. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 3. Awase miso (mixed miso): This blend of white and red miso, provides depth of flavor, from the red miso, with the lightness of the white miso. Awase miso is one of the most popular and versatile miso varieties. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 4. Shinshu miso (yellow miso): Yellow miso is a type of miso made with soybeans, barley, and a smaller amount of rice, yielding a yellow to light brown color. It has an earthy flavor profile that works well in glazes and noodle soup such as <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/ramen-recipe' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/ramen-recipe","linkCopy":"ramen","category":null}'>ramen</a>, <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-are-udon-noodles' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-are-udon-noodles","linkCopy":"udon","category":null}'>udon</a>, and <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-soba-noodles' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-soba-noodles","linkCopy":"soba","category":null}'>soba</a>. </li></ol>

What Is Miso?

Miso soup is often served as an appetizer or side dish alongside rice dishes, noodle dishes, and <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/hand-roll-sushi-guide' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/hand-roll-sushi-guide","linkCopy":"sushi","category":null}'>sushi</a>. Use the rest of your meal as a guide when deciding which add-ins to incorporate.<ol class="mc-m-4"><li class="mc-my-4"> 1. Tofu: Tofu is made from soybeans, just like miso, and is one of the most common miso soup additions. Many miso soups use soft tofu or silken tofu, but if you prefer a little more density, try extra-firm tofu or tofu that has already been baked or fried for a little extra texture. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 2. Mushrooms: Mushrooms are a great choice if you’re looking to add earthy, umami flavors to your miso soup. Try enoki mushrooms or sliced fresh shiitake mushrooms. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 3. Scallions: Thinly sliced scallions, also known as green onions, are the quintessential garnish for miso soup. Use the white and green parts. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 4. Seaweed: Miso soup is typically served with a <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-chiffonade' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-chiffonade","linkCopy":"chiffonade","category":null}'>chiffonade</a> of toasted nori, while the dashi broth is made with dried kombu (kelp). Try adding <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/wakame-seaweed-guide' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/wakame-seaweed-guide","linkCopy":"wakame","category":null}'>wakame</a>, another type of dried seaweed, to your soup for extra texture. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 5. Vegetables: Add your own twist to miso soup with your favorite veggies such as, daikon, potatoes, onions, bok choy, leeks, cabbage, or eggplant. </li></ol>

What to Serve in Your Miso Soup

Vegan Miso Soup Recipe

Miso soup is a traditional Japanese soup that’s served with many meals. The flavorful soup base, dashi, is often made with dried seafood. Fortunately, it’s easy to make a vegan dashi using umami-packed kombu and dried shiitake mushrooms.

Miso soup is a traditional Japanese soup that’s served with many meals. The flavorful soup base, dashi, is often made with dried seafood. Fortunately, it’s easy to make a vegan dashi using umami-packed kombu and dried shiitake mushrooms.
