Best 5 Japanese Soup Stock Recipes

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Japanese soup stock, also known as dashi, is a fundamental element in many Japanese dishes, forming the base for soups, sauces, and other culinary creations. It imparts a rich, umami flavor that elevates the taste of various ingredients, highlighting their natural flavors. Whether you're a seasoned chef or a home cook looking to explore the depths of Japanese cuisine, mastering the art of preparing dashi will open up a world of culinary possibilities. In this article, we will guide you through the process of making Japanese soup stock, providing tips and techniques to achieve the perfect balance of flavors. We will also delve into the different types of dashi, allowing you to choose the one that best suits your dish. So, let's embark on a culinary journey as we explore the secrets of creating the perfect Japanese soup stock.

Here are our top 5 tried and tested recipes!

JAPANESE RAMEN NOODLE SOUP



Japanese ramen noodle soup image

Use chicken, noodles, spinach, sweetcorn and eggs to make this moreish Japanese noodle soup, for when you crave something comforting yet light and wholesome.

Provided by Lina Croft

Categories     Dinner, Lunch, Main course, Pasta

Time 40m

Number Of Ingredients 17

700ml chicken stock
3 garlic cloves, halved
4 tbsp soy sauce, plus extra to season
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
thumb-sized piece of ginger, sliced
½ tsp Chinese five spice
pinch of chilli powder
1 tsp white sugar (optional)
375g ramen noodles
400g sliced cooked pork or chicken breast
2 tsp sesame oil
100g baby spinach
4 tbsp sweetcorn
4 boiled eggs, peeled and halved
1 sheet dried nori, finely shredded
sliced green spring onions or shallots
sprinkle of sesame seeds

Steps:

  • Mix 700ml chicken stock, 3 halved garlic cloves, 4 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce, a sliced thumb-sized piece of ginger, ½ tsp Chinese five spice, pinch of chilli powder and 300ml water in a stockpot or large saucepan, bring to the boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 5 mins.
  • Taste the stock - add 1 tsp white sugar or a little more soy sauce to make it sweeter or saltier to your liking.
  • Cook 375g ramen noodles following the pack instructions, then drain and set aside.
  • Slice 400g cooked pork or chicken, fry in 2 tsp sesame oil until just starting to brown, then set aside.
  • Divide the noodles between four bowls. Top each with a quarter of the meat, 25g spinach, 1 tbsp sweetcorn and two boiled egg halves each.
  • Strain the stock into a clean pan, then bring to the boil once again.
  • Divide the stock between the bowls, then sprinkle over 1 shredded nori sheet, sliced spring onions or shallots and a sprinkle of sesame seeds. Allow the spinach to wilt slightly before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 629 calories, Fat 12 grams fat, SaturatedFat 3 grams saturated fat, Carbohydrate 75 grams carbohydrates, Sugar 7 grams sugar, Fiber 6 grams fiber, Protein 51 grams protein, Sodium 4.9 milligram of sodium

DASHI STOCK (KONBUDASHI)



Dashi Stock (Konbudashi) image

Dashi is the basic stock used in most all Japanese cooking. Dashi stock is the base for miso soup. This recipe is for a Konbudashi, which is made with konbu (dried kelp/seaweed) and bonito flakes (a dried fish which has been shaved into flakes.) There are many variations of dashi, but this is probably the most common.

Provided by Kyle Hildebrant

Categories     Soups, Stews and Chili Recipes     Broth and Stock Recipes

Time 1h

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 3

1 ounce dashi kombu (dried kelp)
1 quart water
½ cup bonito flakes

Steps:

  • Wipe away any dirt from the kombu with a paper towel, being careful not to rub off the white powdery deposits on the seaweed. Place the kombu and water in a saucepan, and allow it to soak for 30 minutes to become soft.
  • Remove the kombu from the water, and cut several lengthwise slits into the leaf. Return the kombu to the water, and bring it to a boil. As soon as the water begins to boil, remove the kombu to prevent the stock from becoming bitter.
  • Stir the bonito flakes into the kombu-flavored water, bring back to a boil, and take the pan off the heat. Allow the water to cool. When the bonito flakes have settled to the bottom, strain the dashi through a strainer lined with cheesecloth or a coffee filter.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 12.2 calories, Carbohydrate 2 g, Protein 1 g, Sodium 111.1 mg

DASHI (JAPANESE SEA STOCK)



Dashi (Japanese Sea Stock) image

Kombu comes packaged in dried lengths that are most easily cut with scissors. Dashi (Japanese Sea Stock) Active time: 5 min Start to finish: 10 min

Categories     Soup/Stew     Spring     Gourmet

Yield Makes about 6 cups

Number Of Ingredients 3

6 cups cold water
1 oz (30 grams) kombu (dried kelp), about 20 square inches
2 (5-gram) packages katsuo bushi (dried bonito flakes), about 1 cup

Steps:

  • Bring cold water and kombu just to a boil in a large saucepan over high heat. Remove from heat and remove kombu (saving it for pickled Napa cabbage ). Sprinkle katsuo bushi over liquid; let stand 3 minutes and, if necessary, stir to make katsuo bushi sink. Pour through a cheesecloth-lined sieve or a coffee filter into a bowl. Reserve katsuo bushi for rice with soy-glazed bonito flakes and sesame seeds .

JAPANESE SOUP STOCK



Japanese Soup Stock image

Categories     Soup/Stew     Quick & Easy     Boil     Gourmet

Yield Makes about 4 1/2 cups

Number Of Ingredients 5

1 (5- to 6-inch) piecekombu (dried kelp)
5 cups cold water
2 (5-g) packages katsuo bushi (dried bonito flakes; 1 cup)
Special Equipment
cheesecloth

Steps:

  • Wipe any sand or salt from kombu with a dampened cloth. Bring kombu and water just to a boil in a 3-quart saucepan over high heat. Remove kombu with tongs and reserve for another use.
  • Sprinkle katsuo bushi over liquid and remove pan from heat. Let stand 3 minutes, then pour through a cheesecloth-lined sieve into a bowl.

ELEGANT JAPANESE SOUP



Elegant Japanese Soup image

Be sure to use clear full flavored broth. Personally I like to add the carrots & mushrooms into the bowl of steaming broth without simmering them first , personal preference. This is such an attractive, easy to make, light soup that is just perfect for the start of an Oriental meal or with any meal. Substitute strands of cooked Chicken instead of the seafood. See footnore at bottom of recipe for clarifying broth

Provided by Bergy

Categories     Lunch/Snacks

Time 27m

Yield 6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 10

6 cups clear chicken broth
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
3 tablespoons light soy sauce (or use the Japanese Soy)
5 tablespoons med dry sherry (or Madeira wine)
6 green onions, cleaned,white part with 1 inch of green left on
6 mushrooms, cleaned thinly sliced,stems removed (Use 1" mushrooms)
1/2 cup carrot, thinly sliced on the diagonal (slices apprx 1" across)
6 slices lemons
12 medium prawns
12 small scallops or 6 large scallops, cut in half

Steps:

  • Bring your broth to a boil.
  • Add Mushrooms& Carrots simmer for 2 minutes.
  • Add raw prawns& Scallops, simmer until the prawns are just pink.
  • Stir in the lemon juice, Soy& Sherry.
  • Strain the broth into 6 soup bowls and artistically arrange some carrots, mushrooms, 2 prawns, 2 scallops.
  • a slice of lemon and a green onion in each bowl- Serve.
  • N.B ***To clarify Broth:Whisk an egg white into one cup cool broth, Whisk this mixture into the rest of the cooled broth, heat to boiling whisking the entire time. When the broth comes to a boil remove from heat and let it rest 20 minutes. then scoop off the frothy top and you will have beautiful clear broth.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 87.7, Fat 1.7, SaturatedFat 0.4, Cholesterol 18, Sodium 1375.8, Carbohydrate 6, Fiber 1.1, Sugar 2.5, Protein 10

Tips:

  • Use fresh ingredients: The fresher the ingredients, the better the dashi will taste. If possible, use organic or locally-sourced produce.
  • Use the right water: The type of water you use can also affect the taste of your dashi. If you have access to filtered or spring water, use that. Otherwise, boil tap water for a few minutes to remove any impurities.
  • Don't boil the dashi: Simmer it gently over low heat. Boiling the dashi will make it cloudy and bitter.
  • Use a variety of ingredients: Don't be afraid to experiment with different ingredients to create your own unique dashi. Some popular additions include kombu (kelp), shiitake mushrooms, and bonito flakes.
  • Make a large batch: Dashi can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week or in the freezer for up to a month. So it's a good idea to make a large batch so you have it on hand whenever you need it.

Conclusion:

Dashi is a versatile ingredient essential to Japanese cuisine. With its delicate flavor and ability to enhance the taste of other ingredients, it's no wonder that dashi is used in so many different dishes. Whether you're making soup, noodles, or even just a simple bowl of rice, adding dashi will take your dish to the next level.

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