Ginger Miso Winter Soup (Printable)

A light, warming broth with fresh ginger and miso, featuring winter vegetables and umami-rich flavor for chilly days.

# What You Need:

→ Broth Base

01 - 6 cups water or low-sodium vegetable broth
02 - 2-inch piece fresh ginger, thinly sliced
03 - 2 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
04 - 2 tablespoons white or yellow miso paste

→ Vegetables

05 - 1 cup napa cabbage, thinly sliced
06 - 1 medium carrot, julienned or thinly sliced
07 - 1 cup shiitake mushrooms, stemmed and sliced
08 - 2 scallions, sliced

→ Garnishes

09 - 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
10 - 1 tablespoon fresh cilantro or parsley, chopped
11 - 1 teaspoon chili oil or dash of chili flakes

→ Optional Add-ins

12 - 200 g silken tofu, cubed
13 - 100 g soba or rice noodles, cooked per package instructions

# Directions:

01 - Bring water or vegetable broth to a gentle simmer in a large pot over medium heat.
02 - Add sliced ginger and garlic to the simmering broth. Cook for 10 minutes to allow flavors to infuse.
03 - Add napa cabbage, carrot, and shiitake mushrooms. Simmer for 5-7 minutes until vegetables are tender-crisp.
04 - Remove pot from heat. Whisk miso paste with a ladle of hot broth in a small bowl until smooth, then stir back into soup. Avoid boiling to preserve probiotic benefits.
05 - If using, add cubed tofu and cooked noodles. Let warm through for 2 minutes.
06 - Ladle soup into serving bowls. Top with scallions, toasted sesame seeds, fresh herbs, and chili oil or flakes as desired. Serve immediately while hot.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The ginger creates this warming sensation that lingers, like drinking comfort itself
  • It comes together in under 30 minutes but tastes like something that simmered for hours
  • That miso undertone keeps you coming back for just one more sip
02 -
  • Never boil miso. It destroys the enzymes and changes the flavor completely.
  • Slicing ginger and garlic thin makes all the difference. Chunks stay overpowering.
  • The soup keeps getting better overnight. Leftovers are honestly better than day one.
03 -
  • Grating a tiny bit of fresh ginger into each bowl right before serving gives an extra kick.
  • If you accidentally boil the miso, it's still delicious. Just don't make a habit of it.
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