Japanese Clear Soup

Japanese Clear Soup is a light and healthy appetizer that serves as the perfect start to any Japanese-inspired meal. This Hibachi restaurant favorite, often called Japanese Onion Soup or Miyabi Soup, is famous for its savory, aromatic profile and soothing warmth.

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Prep Time 15

Cook Time 1

Total Time 1 15

Servings: 12 cups

Course: Appetizer, Soup

Cuisine: Hibachi, Japanese

Calories: 46

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

2 teaspoons sesame oil or peanut oil
8 cups chicken broth
4 cups beef broth
4 cups water
1 large sweet onion peeled and cut into wedges
6 cloves garlic peeled and smashed
2 large carrots cut into chunks
2 inch piece fresh ginger sliced
4 whole scallions chopped (for garnish)
10 button mushrooms sliced thin (for garnish)
Salt to taste

Equipment

Large 8-quart stock pot
Skimmer or fine-mesh strainer

Method

Place a large 8-quart stock pot over medium-high heat. Add the sesame oil and then place the onion wedges, smashed garlic, carrot chunks, and sliced ginger into the pot. Sear the vegetables on all sides until they are caramelized, being careful not to burn the garlic.
2 teaspoons sesame oil, 1 large sweet onion, 6 cloves garlic, 2 large carrots, 2 inch piece fresh ginger
Pour in the chicken broth, beef broth, and water. Bring the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, lower the heat to a low boil and allow the soup to simmer for at least one hour to develop a deep flavor.
8 cups chicken broth, 4 cups beef broth, 4 cups water
Use a skimmer or a fine-mesh strainer to remove all the vegetables from the broth so that the liquid remains clear. Taste the broth and add salt as needed.
Salt
To serve, ladle the hot broth into individual bowls. Sprinkle the freshly chopped scallions and thinly sliced raw mushrooms over the top. The heat of the broth will perfectly soften the mushrooms as you eat.
4 whole scallions, 10 button mushrooms

Notes

For best results, make the soup a day in advance to allow the flavors to deepen. Caramelize the vegetables thoroughly before adding the liquid to create the signature amber color and savory sweetness.