Japanese Clear Soup Recipe

A light, savory broth with mushrooms & scallions

This Japanese Clear Soup, also known as osuimono or hibachi soup, is a restaurant-style starter that’s both soothing and flavorful. With its delicate broth, tender mushrooms, and fresh green onions, it’s the kind of dish that feels simple yet elegant. Perfect as an easy healthy recipe and ideal as a fall dinner idea, this soup is light, warming, and ready in just 20 minutes.

Whether you’re serving it alongside sushi, tempura, or enjoying it as a cozy appetizer at home, this classic Japanese soup is a timeless favorite.

⏱️ Time Breakdown

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Servings: 4

📝 Ingredients List

• 6 cups chicken broth (or vegetable broth for vegetarian option)
• 1 small onion, halved
• 1 garlic clove, smashed
• 1-inch piece fresh ginger, sliced
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tsp mirin (optional)
• 6–8 button mushrooms, thinly sliced
• 2 green onions, chopped (for garnish)

✨ Kitchen Tools You’ll Need

This recipe doesn’t require fancy gadgets, just a few reliable kitchen basics to keep everything simple and stress-free.

• Medium soup pot
• Ladle
• Cutting board
• Sharp knife
• Strainer

👩‍🍳 Step-by-Step Beginner-Friendly Instructions

1. In a medium pot, bring chicken broth to a gentle simmer.
2. Add onion, garlic, and ginger to the pot. Let simmer for 10 minutes to infuse flavor. 🧄
3. Strain the broth to remove solids, then return the clear broth to the pot.
4. Stir in soy sauce and mirin. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. 🌟
5. Add sliced mushrooms and simmer for 2–3 minutes until tender. 🍄
6. Ladle into bowls and garnish with chopped green onions.

💡 Pro Tips

• Authentic Flavor: Use dashi (kombu + bonito flakes) instead of chicken broth for a traditional base.
• Vegetarian Option: Use vegetable broth and omit bonito flakes if making dashi.
• Make Ahead: Strained broth can be made up to 3 days in advance and reheated before serving.
• Serving Idea: Pair with sushi, teriyaki, or gyoza for a complete Japanese-inspired meal.

📊 Nutrition Table

Conclusion

This Japanese Clear Soup is a simple yet elegant starter that brings the flavors of a hibachi restaurant right to your kitchen. With its light broth, earthy mushrooms, and fresh green onion garnish, it’s warm, refreshing, and perfect for any occasion. Whether enjoyed as a side dish or a cozy appetizer, this soup is a timeless favorite you’ll want to make again and again.

Japanese Clear Soup

A light, savory broth with mushrooms and scallions, this Japanese Clear Soup is the perfect starter for any meal.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 20 minutes mins

Course Appetizer, Soup

Cuisine Japanese

Servings 4 servings

Calories 45 kcal

Ingredients

  

Broth and Flavor Base

• 6 cups chicken broth (or vegetable broth for vegetarian option) Use dashi for authentic flavor.
• 1 small onion, halved
• 1 clove garlic, smashed
• 1 inch piece fresh ginger, sliced
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon mirin (optional)

Mushrooms and Garnish

• 6-8 pieces button mushrooms, thinly sliced
• 2 tablespoons green onions, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

 

Preparation

• In a medium pot, bring chicken broth to a gentle simmer.
• Add onion, garlic, and ginger to the pot. Let simmer for 10 minutes to infuse flavor.
• Strain the broth to remove solids, then return the clear broth to the pot.
• Stir in soy sauce and mirin. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
• Add sliced mushrooms and simmer for 2–3 minutes until tender.
• Ladle into bowls and garnish with chopped green onions.

Notes

For a vegetarian option, use vegetable broth and omit bonito flakes if making dashi. Strained broth can be made up to 3 days in advance and reheated before serving. Pair with sushi, teriyaki, or gyoza for a complete meal.

Keyword Healthy Soup, Hibachi Soup, Japanese Clear Soup, Osuimono, Warm Broth