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I’ve always found Japanese soups to be some of the most comforting and clean-tasting meals. They’re often simple, built on a good broth, and leave you feeling nourished rather than heavy.
For me, making them at home is easier than it seems, and it’s a great way to bring a bit of that restaurant flavor to my own kitchen.
Whether it’s a quick miso in the morning or a hearty ramen for dinner, these recipes have become my go-to for something satisfying that doesn’t take all day. Here are 21 Japanese soup recipes I enjoy making, from the very simple to the specially comforting.
1. Simple Miso Soup
The classic. Dashi broth whisked with miso paste, topped with soft tofu cubes and sliced green onion. I make this more than any other soup.
Nutrition per serving:
- Calories: 80
- Protein: 6g
- Carbs: 7g
- Fat: 3g
- Fiber: 2g
2. Chicken Udon Soup
Thick, chewy udon noodles in a soy-and-mirin seasoned dashi broth with sliced chicken breast and spinach. It’s filling and straightforward.
Nutrition per serving:
- Calories: 320
- Protein: 22g
- Carbs: 45g
- Fat: 5g
- Fiber: 4g
3. Tonkotsu Ramen (Simplified)
A rich, creamy pork broth simmered for hours (or a well-doctored shortcut), topped with chashu pork, a soft-boiled egg, and bamboo shoots.
Nutrition per serving:
- Calories: 480
- Protein: 25g
- Carbs: 55g
- Fat: 18g
- Fiber: 4g
4. Clear Soup (Sumashijiru)
A delicate, clear dashi broth with a hint of soy and mirin, often with a shrimp or chicken dumpling. It’s elegant and light.
Nutrition per serving:
- Calories: 60
- Protein: 8g
- Carbs: 3g
- Fat: 1g
- Fiber: 0g
5. Kenchinjiru (Vegetable Soup)
A hearty, rustic soup with root vegetables, tofu, and shiitake mushrooms in a savory soy and dashi broth. It’s vegan and very satisfying.
Nutrition per serving:
- Calories: 180
- Protein: 9g
- Carbs: 25g
- Fat: 5g
- Fiber: 7g
6. Salmon Miso Soup
Flakes of fresh salmon added to classic miso soup. The salmon cooks gently in the hot broth, making it extra nourishing.
Nutrition per serving:
- Calories: 190
- Protein: 18g
- Carbs: 8g
- Fat: 9g
- Fiber: 2g
7. Kitsune Udon
Udon noodles in dashi broth topped with a sweetened, fried tofu pouch (aburaage). It’s simple, sweet, and savory.
Nutrition per serving:
- Calories: 350
- Protein: 10g
- Carbs: 60g
- Fat: 7g
- Fiber: 3g
8. Butajiru (Pork and Vegetable Soup)
Thinly sliced pork belly with gobo (burdock root), carrots, and taro in a miso-based broth. It’s a hearty, one-pot meal.
Nutrition per serving:
- Calories: 280
- Protein: 16g
- Carbs: 22g
- Fat: 14g
- Fiber: 6g
9. Shoyu Ramen
A soy-sauce based clear broth with curly noodles, marinated bamboo shoots, nori, and a seasoned boiled egg.
Nutrition per serving:
- Calories: 420
- Protein: 20g
- Carbs: 60g
- Fat: 12g
- Fiber: 4g
10. Clam Miso Soup (Asari Miso)
Small clams like Manila or littlenecks simmered in dashi until they open, then finished with miso. The broth tastes like the sea.
Nutrition per serving:
- Calories: 120
- Protein: 12g
- Carbs: 8g
- Fat: 4g
- Fiber: 1g
11. Oden
A warming winter dish with various items like daikon, boiled eggs, fish cakes, and konnyaku simmered in a light soy and dashi broth for hours.
Nutrition per serving (assorted):
- Calories: 250
- Protein: 15g
- Carbs: 25g
- Fat: 8g
- Fiber: 6g
12. Sukiyaki-style Soup
A sweeter, soy-and-mirin broth with thinly sliced beef, shirataki noodles, tofu, and vegetables, cooked at the table.
Nutrition per serving:
- Calories: 320
- Protein: 26g
- Carbs: 25g
- Fat: 13g
- Fiber: 4g
13. Tempura Udon
Udon soup served with a few pieces of tempura (like shrimp or sweet potato) on the side to dip into the broth.
Nutrition per serving:
- Calories: 450
- Protein: 18g
- Carbs: 70g
- Fat: 12g
- Fiber: 5g
14. Chanko Nabe (Sumo Stew)
A protein-rich hot pot with chicken meatballs, chicken, tofu, and lots of vegetables in a chicken and dashi broth. It’s meant to be shared.
Nutrition per serving:
- Calories: 380
- Protein: 40g
- Carbs: 20g
- Fat: 16g
- Fiber: 7g
15. Zosui (Rice Soup)
Leftover rice simmered in a dashi and soy broth with egg, chicken, and vegetables until it becomes a thick, comforting porridge-like soup.
Nutrition per serving:
- Calories: 230
- Protein: 16g
- Carbs: 30g
- Fat: 5g
- Fiber: 3g
16. Miso Ramen
A rich, cloudy broth made from a blend of miso and chicken or pork stock, topped with ground pork, corn, and bean sprouts.
Nutrition per serving:
- Calories: 500
- Protein: 24g
- Carbs: 60g
- Fat: 19g
- Fiber: 5g
17. Wakame Soup
A simple soup of rehydrated wakame seaweed and green onion in a clear dashi and soy broth. It’s my fastest side soup.
Nutrition per serving:
- Calories: 40
- Protein: 3g
- Carbs: 5g
- Fat: 1g
- Fiber: 2g
18. Curry Udon
Thick udon noodles in a soup made from Japanese curry roux and dashi broth, often with beef and onions. It’s deeply flavorful and cozy.
Nutrition per serving:
- Calories: 420
- Protein: 18g
- Carbs: 65g
- Fat: 11g
- Fiber: 6g
19. Soba Noodle Soup (Kake Soba)
Thin buckwheat noodles in a hot, smoky dashi and soy broth, topped with sliced green onion. Elegant in its simplicity.
Nutrition per serving:
- Calories: 280
- Protein: 12g
- Carbs: 55g
- Fat: 2g
- Fiber: 2g
20. Egg Drop Soup (Kakitama-jiru)
A silky soup where beaten egg is swirled into a seasoned dashi broth, often with peas or mushrooms. It’s gentle and soft.
Nutrition per serving:
- Calories: 90
- Protein: 8g
- Carbs: 6g
- Fat: 4g
- Fiber: 1g
21. Home-style Nabe (Hot Pot)
A family-style pot of dashi broth kept simmering at the table, where everyone cooks their own thin meat, noodles, and vegetables.
Nutrition per serving (assorted):
- Calories: 300
- Protein: 25g
- Carbs: 20g
- Fat: 12g
- Fiber: 6g
