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Japanese Clear Onion Soup Recipe

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4 from 61 reviews

Japanese Clear Onion Soup is a light and delicate soup featured in Japanese cuisine, characterized by its clear broth infused with the sweetness of onions and subtle seasonings. This simple yet flavorful soup combines thinly sliced onions, carrot, and celery simmered gently in vegetable or chicken broth, enhanced with soy sauce and sesame oil, making it a comforting starter or side dish.

  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients

Soup Ingredients

  • 4 cups vegetable or chicken broth
  • 1 small onion, thinly sliced
  • 1 carrot, thinly sliced
  • 1 celery stalk, sliced
  • 1 teaspoon soy sauce
  • 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Garnish

  • 1 green onion, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Bring broth to a boil: Pour the vegetable or chicken broth into a pot and place it over medium heat, bringing it to a gentle boil to prepare for cooking the vegetables.
  2. Add vegetables: Add the thinly sliced onion, carrot, and celery to the boiling broth, allowing their flavors to infuse the soup.
  3. Simmer the soup: Reduce the heat to low and let the soup simmer gently for 15–20 minutes to soften the vegetables and develop the broth’s delicate flavor.
  4. Season the soup: Stir in the soy sauce, sesame oil, and black pepper to enhance the savory and aromatic profile of the soup.
  5. Optional straining: At this point, you can strain the soup to remove the vegetables for a clearer broth, or leave the vegetables in for added texture and heartiness.
  6. Garnish and serve: Finally, garnish the soup with chopped green onion and serve it warm as a comforting appetizer or light meal.

Notes

  • Adding mushrooms can enhance the umami flavor of the broth, offering a deeper richness.
  • For a vegetarian version, ensure the broth used is vegetable-based.
  • Adjust soy sauce quantity to control the saltiness.
  • The soup can be served with tofu or rice for extra substance.
  • Author: Jessica
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Soup
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Japanese
  • Diet: Vegetarian