Miso Soup with Rice Noodles
Aromatic broth-based soup combining tender vegetables, silky tofu, and chewy rice noodles. Miso paste creates umami depth while nori adds oceanic notes. Rice noodles are cooked separately and chilled before plating, then topped with the hot vegetable-rich miso broth for contrast.
Ingredients
Instructions
- 1
Cut onions into strips or finely chop them. Cut carrots into sticks. Clean mushrooms and slice them.
- 2
Pour 6 cups of water into a pot with the vegetables and bring to a boil.
- 3
Separately, bring 2 cups of water to a boil for rice noodles. Add noodles, reduce heat, and cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- 4
Strain noodles, rinse with ice water, strain again, and set aside covered.
- 5
When vegetable water boils, add the vegetable broth cube. Reduce heat and simmer until vegetables soften.
- 6
Cut tofu into cubes and add to the pot.
- 7
Remove half a cup of broth and mix miso paste into it until smooth. Add mixture back to the soup and cook for 5 minutes.
- 8
Cut nori into short strips, add to soup, and simmer for 2 minutes.
- 9
Place cooked rice noodles in serving bowls, pour hot soup over top, and serve.
Tips
Cook rice noodles separately and chill them to maintain texture contrast with hot broth.
Mix miso paste in cooled broth first to prevent lumps and preserve probiotic properties.
Do not boil miso soup after adding miso paste to protect beneficial enzymes.
Good to Know
Refrigerate soup and noodles separately in airtight containers for up to 3 days. Reheat soup gently; add noodles fresh to avoid sogginess.
Prepare vegetable broth up to 1 day ahead. Cook rice noodles and chill several hours before serving. Mix miso paste only at serving time.
Ladle hot miso broth into bowls over chilled rice noodles. Garnish with additional nori strips and green onion if desired.
Common Mistakes
Do not boil soup after adding miso paste to avoid destroying beneficial bacteria and enzymes.
Do not skip the ice bath for rice noodles to prevent them from becoming mushy when hot broth is added.
Do not mix miso directly into hot broth to avoid lumps and uneven distribution.
Substitutions
Gluten-Free Swaps
General Alternatives
larger, less delicate seaweed