Miso soup is a traditional Japanese dish that is easy to prepare and is loaded with flavor.
It is a healthy meal that combines vegetables, seaweed, tofu, and miso paste in a savory broth. If you’re looking for a hearty and healthy meal, miso soup is an excellent option.
However, it can be challenging to find the perfect side dish to serve with miso soup. So, what to serve with miso soup for dinner?
Luckily, we have compiled a list of some amazing and quick side dishes that you can serve with your miso soup for a complete and satisfying meal.
These sides are easy to prepare and delicious in taste, so let’s dig in.
What is miso soup? What does miso soup taste like?
Miso soup is a traditional Japanese soup consisting of a miso-based broth and usually contains other ingredients such as seaweed, vegetables, tofu, and sometimes seafood.
It has a salty and slightly sweet flavor that comes from the fermented soybeans used to make the miso paste. It can be served piping hot or cold, depending on preference.
Many people enjoy it as an accompaniment to their meal or as an appetizer before their main course.
Best Sides to Serve with Miso Soup for Dinner
1. Japanese Rice
If you want to keep things simple, serve your miso soup with a side of Japanese rice.
It is a great dish that complements the flavors of miso perfectly. It is also quick to cook, and you can use a rice cooker or prepare it on your stovetop.
2. Grilled Vegetables
Grilled vegetables are an excellent side to serve with miso soup.
You can grill your veggies like zucchini, asparagus, or mushrooms with a bit of olive oil, garlic, and soy sauce.
3. Seaweed Salad
A seaweed salad is a great side dish that can balance the flavor of miso nicely.
It is a healthy salad that you can quickly prepare by soaking dried seaweed in water and then tossing it with a dressing of soy sauce, rice vinegar, and sesame oil.
4. Yakitori Chicken
Yakitori chicken is a popular Japanese dish that you can serve as a side with miso soup.
These skewered chicken pieces are marinated in a special sauce and grilled to perfection. You can serve them with a side of soy sauce for dipping.
5. Soba Noodles
Soba noodles are a healthy and delicious side dish to serve with miso soup.
You can boil them and serve them cold with a dipping sauce, or you can serve them hot. It is a quick and easy dish that compliments the flavor of miso.
Discover More: 31 Delicious and Creative Dishes to Serve with Cold Soba Noodles
6. Steamed Dumplings
Steamed dumplings are a great side dish that you can serve with miso soup.
You can prepare them with different fillings like vegetables or chicken and then steam them for a few minutes. Serve them hot with soy sauce and chili sauce.
7. Tempura Vegetables
Tempura vegetables are a popular side dish in Japan that goes well with miso soup.
You can prepare them by coating your favorite vegetables in a light batter and then deep-frying them until crispy.
8. Gyoza
Gyoza is a Japanese dumpling that is stuffed with meat and vegetables. You can fry them and serve them as a side dish with miso soup.
The filling is usually made with pork, cabbage, and garlic, which complement the miso soup’s flavors.
9. Edamame
Edamame is a delicious and healthy snack that can also be served as a side dish with miso soup.
You can boil them in salt water and then serve them hot or cold.
10. Tuna Tataki
Tuna tataki is a dish made with seared tuna that has been marinated in a special sauce. You can serve it as a side dish with miso soup.
This dish is full of different flavors, and the tangy sauce goes well with the savory taste of miso.
Explore More: 15 Perfect and Amazing Dishes to Serve with Tuna Noodle Casserole
11. Sushi
Sushi is a delicious Japanese dish that is the perfect accompaniment to miso soup, adding a savory and flavorful delight to your dinner table.
12. Teriyaki Chicken
A popular favorite in Japan, teriyaki chicken is the perfect addition to any miso soup meal.
The sweet glaze complements the flavors of the soup perfectly.
13. Takoyaki
Another great accompaniment for miso soup, takoyaki adds a fun and flavorful element that’s sure to please everyone at the table. (Recipe)
14. Shabu-Shabu
Shabu-Shabu is a delicious Japanese hot pot that is an excellent choice for any dinner menu that features miso soup as its star dish.
15. Udon Noodles
Udon Noodles are thick wheat noodles that make an ideal partner for miso soup, providing a delicious and filling meal.
16. Onigiri
Rice balls stuffed with various fillings such as salmon, pickled tofu, or seaweed are a classic accompaniment to miso soup. They’re easy to prepare and add great flavor to your dinner.
What are the best flavors to go with miso soup?
Miso soup is a traditional Japanese soup that is made with miso paste, stock, and other ingredients like seaweed, tofu, and scallion.
Each of these ingredients adds unique flavors to the soup, but the primary flavor is the salty-savory taste of miso.
To complement this flavor profile, many ingredients can be added to miso soup to create a variety of delicious dishes.
One classic combination is adding bonito flakes or shavings—also known as katsuobushi—which are made from dried fermented tuna.
The flaky texture and smoky savoriness add great depth to miso soup.
For vegetarians and vegans, mushrooms work well as an alternative to fish flakes. Shiitake mushrooms, in particular, add umami when cooked in the broth.
Adding sweet and fresh ingredients such as carrots or daikon radishes also brings out the nutty aroma of miso paste.
Grated ginger gives a spicy kick to the flavorful mix, while sliced green onions add a light oniony flavor without being too overpowering.
Wakame seaweed adds a subtle crunch while also providing many nutritional benefits due to its high levels of vitamins A and C.
In conclusion, there are many flavors that go well with miso soup: bonito flakes or shavings, mushrooms, carrots or daikon radish, grated ginger, sliced green onions and wakame seaweed all contribute unique textures and tastes which combine harmoniously for a delicious meal.
Learn More: 16 Top and Delicious Dishes to Serve with Beer Cheese Soup
How do you jazz up miso soup?
Miso soup can be jazzed up with a variety of ingredients to add flavor and texture.
Adding mushrooms, tofu, seaweed, carrots, onions, celery or other vegetables to the soup adds more interest.
For added umami flavor, you could also try adding fish sauce or tamari.
Lastly, for some heat and crunchy texture, you could add red chili pepper flakes or chopped scallions.
Experimenting with different ingredients can make miso soup a tasty and nutritious meal!
How do you display miso soup on a platter?
Miso soup can be served on a platter in a variety of ways.
Firstly, the broth for the miso soup should be heated and reduced to create a flavorful and savory base.
Next, ingredients such as tofu, seaweed, mushrooms or vegetables can be added to the broth before ladling it into individual bowls.
If serving it on a platter, the cooked ingredients should be arranged in different sections around the bowl.
For example, pieces of firm tofu might be placed around one edge of the bowl while pieces of seaweed are placed beneath them.
Additionally, small plates with condiments such as pickled ginger or green onions could also decoratively surround the bowl of miso soup.
Finally, any remaining ingredients that have not been used to make the soup – such as fresh shiitake mushrooms or watercress – can be placed along the edges of the platter or scattered randomly over it for an appealing presentation.
things to add to miso soup
1. Tofu
A commonplace addition to miso soup, tofu is a great source of healthy proteins and adds a satisfying chewiness to the dish.
2. Wakame
Thinly sliced strips of seaweed, wakame adds an ocean-like taste to the broth while providing valuable minerals and vitamins like magnesium, calcium, iron, and iodine. (Recipe)
3. Shiitake Mushrooms
Cultivated shiitake mushrooms bring a unique earthy flavor to the miso soup, as well as being a source of dietary fiber and potassium.
4. Carrots
A sweet yet savory addition to miso soup, carrots not only add flavor but also are rich in vitamin A and other antioxidants that are great for health.
5. Burdock Root
Burdock root’s distinctive crunch and slightly sweet taste make it an intriguing addition to many dishes, including miso soup;
It is also known as a natural anti-inflammatory agent with detoxifying properties.
6. Green Onions
Thinly sliced green onions give the soup a bright flavor while providing further nutritional benefits such as loads of vitamin K and manganese for healthier bones and joints.
7. Daikon Radish
Featuring a mild peppery flavor and crisp texture, daikon radish is excellent in miso soups due to its strong alkalizing effect on the body, which helps balance out any salty flavors from other ingredients.
Find Out More: 16 Top and Delicious Dishes to Serve with Wonton Soup
Wrap Up on what to serve with miso soup for dinner
Miso soup is a healthy and delicious meal that you can serve for lunch or dinner.
However, finding the perfect side dish to serve with it can be challenging.
Fortunately, with our list of quick and amazing side dishes, you can have a complete and satisfying meal.
So, go ahead and experiment with these delicious dishes and find out which one best suits your taste buds.
FAQs
How much miso soup per person?
Typically, it is recommended to have about one-half cup of miso soup per person.
This amount provides a good balance of flavor and allows everyone to have enough to enjoy the soup without having too much.
However, if you are having a larger group or want more soup, you can increase the amount to 3/4 – 1 cup per person.
If you are making a lighter version of the soup with fewer ingredients, you may want to go with 1/4 – 1/3 cups per person.
However, it ultimately depends on your preference and how many people you are serving.
What meat goes with Miso soup?
Miso soup is a traditional Japanese dish that is usually served warm or hot.
It’s made by combining a miso paste with dashi broth and often includes ingredients such as tofu, seaweed, and green onions.
The most popular type of meat to add to miso soup is salmon, but other options include chicken, pork belly, beef, shrimp, and clams.
Many people also like to add vegetables like mushrooms and spinach to the soup for added flavor and texture.
Adding spices such as ginger or chili can also provide an extra kick of flavor.
In addition to being delicious on its own, miso soup is a wonderful accompaniment to any meal or snack.
Its light yet filling nature makes it a great choice for those looking to get in their daily intake of protein and vitamins without feeling overly full or weighed down afterward.
What to serve with miso soup for dinner for 2?
Miso soup is a popular Japanese dish often served as a starter or side dish.
If you’re looking to serve miso soup for dinner for two people, here are a few options for complementary dishes to create a well-rounded meal:
1. Sushi or Sashimi
You can serve a selection of sushi rolls or sashimi alongside miso soup. This combination is a classic Japanese meal and provides a balance of flavors and textures.
2. Rice and Grilled Fish
Prepare steamed rice as a staple to accompany the miso soup. Pair it with a grilled or broiled fish, such as salmon or mackerel.
The simplicity of the fish preparation complements the bold flavors of the miso soup.
3. Tempura
Tempura is a popular Japanese dish consisting of lightly battered and deep-fried vegetables and seafood.
Serve a variety of tempura alongside miso soup to add a crunchy and savory element to the meal.
4. Japanese-style Salad
Create a refreshing Japanese-style salad with fresh greens, cucumber, radish, and a light sesame dressing.
The salad provides a contrasting flavor and texture to the warm miso soup.
5. Gyoza
Gyoza, also known as Japanese dumplings, can be steamed or pan-fried. They make a great appetizer or side dish to accompany miso soup.
You can find pre-made gyoza in many grocery stores, or you can try making them from scratch.
6. Stir-Fried Vegetables and Tofu
Prepare a colorful stir-fry using an assortment of vegetables like bell peppers, broccoli, carrots, and mushrooms.
Add tofu for protein and serve it alongside miso soup and steamed rice.
what to serve with miso soup for dinner vegetarian friendly
When it comes to serving miso soup for dinner, the possibilities are endless with vegetarian-friendly options!
One delicious and satisfying dish that pairs exceptionally well with this umami-rich Japanese staple is a vibrant vegetable stir-fry.
Picture yourself standing in front of a sizzling wok, tossing an array of colorful ingredients like crisp bell peppers, tender broccoli florets, earthy mushrooms, and crunchy snap peas into a flavorful blend of sesame oil and soy sauce.
The enticing aroma fills the air as you expertly season your creation with fragrant garlic and zesty ginger.
With each bite bursting with freshness and texture, this delightful stir-fry amplifies the taste experience alongside miso soup – creating a symphony of flavors that will transport your taste buds to new heights!
