18 Japanese Clear Clam Soup Recipe Cook Up Something Special!
Published on: Mar 25, 2024
Japanese cuisine is known for its simplicity and use of fresh ingredients, and one dish that embodies this is the clear clam soup. This traditional soup, also known as sumashijiru, is a staple in Japanese households and is often served as a starter or side dish. Made with a clear broth, fresh clams, and simple seasonings, this soup is not only delicious but also provides a variety of health benefits. In this article, we will take a closer look at the Japanese clear clam soup recipe and how you can easily recreate it at home.
Main Ingredients: Enoki Mushrooms, Shiitake Mushrooms, Leek, Carrot, Baby
If you're looking for a warm and comforting dish to enjoy on a cold winter night, look no further than the traditional Japanese hot pot, or yosenabe. This dish, which translates to "cooked at the table," is a delicious and versatile one-pot meal that has been a staple in Japanese cuisine for centuries.
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Yosenabe - Japanese Seafood Hot Pot
Main Ingredients: Dashi, Mirin, Light Soy Sauce, Chicken Leg, Napa
Yosenabe typically consists of a flavorful broth, a variety of vegetables, and your choice of protein. One popular variation is the seafood hot pot, which features a mix of fresh seafood such as clams, shrimp, and fish. The combination of the tender seafood and the savory broth creates a rich and satisfying meal that will warm you up from the inside out.
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Japanese Donabe Clay Pot Seafood Soup
Main Ingredients: Dashi, Mirin, Low Sodium Soy Sauce, Scallions, Ice
For an even more authentic experience, consider cooking your hot pot in a traditional Japanese clay pot, called a donabe. The porous clay allows for even heat distribution, resulting in a perfectly cooked and flavorful soup. Plus, the donabe can be brought straight to the table for a communal dining experience.
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Miso Soup with Clams, Shiitake Mushrooms, & Wakame
Main Ingredients: Dashi, Clams, Miso Paste, Wakame, Fresh Shiitake
One of the most popular variations of yosenabe is miso soup with clams, shiitake mushrooms, and wakame. The combination of the savory miso broth and the briny clams creates a delicious umami flavor that is enhanced by the earthy mushrooms and nutrient-rich wakame seaweed.
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Miso Soup With Clams, Wakame And Tofu
Main Ingredients: Wakame, Clams, Sake, Water, Miso, Silken Tofu, Spring
If you're looking to add more protein to your soup, try adding some tofu to the mix. The soft and creamy tofu pairs perfectly with the tender clams and adds an extra layer of texture to the soup. Plus, it's a great way to make this dish more filling and satisfying.
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Miso Soup with Soba Noodles and Clams
Main Ingredients: Clams, Shiitake Mushrooms, Small Carrot, Scallions
For a heartier version of miso soup, try adding some soba noodles to the mix. These thin and chewy noodles add a satisfying texture to the soup and make it more filling. Plus, they can be cooked right in the broth, making this dish even easier to prepare.
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Seafood Udon
Main Ingredients: Udon Noodles, Clams, Salmon, Shrimps, Scallops, Water
If you prefer udon noodles over soba, try making a seafood udon hot pot. Similar to the soba version, this dish features a flavorful broth, a mix of seafood, and thick and chewy udon noodles. The combination of these ingredients creates a filling and satisfying meal that is perfect for a chilly winter night.
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Miso Udon Noodle Soup
Main Ingredients: Noodles, Manila Clams, Butter, Garlic, Shrimp, Fish
For a twist on the traditional seafood hot pot, try making a miso udon noodle soup. This dish features a miso broth, seafood, and thick udon noodles, but also includes an array of vegetables such as carrots, mushrooms, and bok choy. Not only does it add more nutrients to the dish, but it also adds a pop of color and flavor.
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Asari Miso Soup
Main Ingredients: Manila Clams, Water, Mushrooms, Miso, Scallion
If you're a fan of clams, try making an asari miso soup. This dish features a simple and savory miso broth, but instead of adding various vegetables, it focuses on highlighting the flavor of the clams. The result is a delicious and comforting soup that is perfect for any seafood lover.
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Spinach Clam Soup
Main Ingredients: Clams, Baby Spinach, Vegetable Broth, Yellow Onion
If you're looking to add more greens to your diet, try making a spinach clam soup. This dish features a clear broth, fresh clams, and plenty of spinach. The spinach adds a nutritious boost to the soup and pairs perfectly with the tender clams.
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Miso Clam Soup
Main Ingredients: Clams, Dashi Stock, Miso Paste, Soft Tofu, Green Onion
For a unique twist on miso soup, try making a miso clam soup. This dish features a flavorful miso broth, but instead of adding tofu or vegetables, it focuses on showcasing the flavor of the clams. The result is a simple yet delicious soup that is perfect for any seafood lover.
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Clam Soup (Tinolang Halaan)
Main Ingredients: Clams, Fresh Spinach, Yellow Onion, Ginger, Water
If you're looking for a more traditional Asian version of clam soup, try making tinolang halaan, a popular Filipino dish. This soup features a flavorful broth made with ginger, onion, and fish sauce, as well as tender clams and various vegetables such as spinach, cabbage, and green beans. The combination of these ingredients creates a hearty and comforting soup that is perfect for a cold night.
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Winter Melon Clam Soup
Main Ingredients: Clams, Winter Melon, Ginger, Dried Shrimp, Water
For a unique twist on clam soup, try using winter melon as the main ingredient. This soup features a clear broth, tender clams, and chunks of winter melon, which adds a slightly sweet and refreshing flavor to the dish. Plus, it's a great way to incorporate more vegetables into your meal.
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Easy Clam Chowder
Main Ingredients: Bacon, Unsalted Butter, Garlic, Onion, Dried Thyme
If you're in the mood for a creamy and comforting soup, try making an easy clam chowder. This American classic features a rich and creamy broth, tender clams, and chunks of potatoes. It's a delicious and filling meal that is perfect for any seafood lover.
For a Japanese twist on clam chowder, try making a Japanese udon noodle soup. This dish features a savory broth, tender clams, and thick and chewy udon noodles. The combination of these ingredients creates a delicious and satisfying soup that is perfect for a chilly night.
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Best Clam Chowder
Main Ingredients: Bacon Strips, Butter, Celery, Leek, Onion, Garlic
If you're looking for the ultimate clam chowder recipe, look no further than the "best clam chowder" recipe. This dish features a rich and creamy broth, tender clams, and chunks of potatoes and bacon. It's a hearty and indulgent meal that will warm you up from the inside out.
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Homemade Clam Chowder
Main Ingredients: Bacon, Butter, Yellow Onions, Celery, Garlic, All
If you prefer to make everything from scratch, try making a homemade clam chowder. This version features a flavorful broth made from scratch, tender clams, and chunks of potatoes and vegetables. It's a delicious and satisfying meal that will impress any seafood lover.
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Hamaguri Ushio-jiru (Clear Clam Soup)
Main Ingredients: Clams, Konbu, Cold Water, Salt, Parsley, Mitsuba
For a simple and authentic Japanese clam soup, try making hamaguri ushio-jiru, or clear clam soup. This dish features a clear broth made with sake, soy sauce, and ginger, as well as tender clams and vegetables such as mushrooms, carrots, and daikon radish. It's a light and refreshing soup that is perfect for any seafood lover.
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Red Lobster Clam Chowder
Main Ingredients: Russet Potatoes, Butter, Green Onion, Flour, Clams
If you're a fan of the classic clam chowder from Red Lobster, try making a homemade version. This dish features a creamy and flavorful broth, tender clams, and chunks of potatoes and bacon, just like the restaurant version. It's a delicious and indulgent meal that will satisfy any seafood craving.
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Sweet and Sour Clam Soup (Canh ngao chua)
Main Ingredients: Clams, Pineapple, Medium Tomatoes, Bean Sprouts, Fish
For a Vietnamese twist on clam soup, try making canh ngao chua, or sweet and sour clam soup. This dish features a flavorful broth made with tamarind, pineapple, and fish sauce, as well as tender clams and various vegetables such as tomatoes and onions. The combination of the sweet and sour flavors creates a unique and delicious soup that is perfect for any seafood lover.
The Health Benefits of Clear Clam Soup
The Power of Clams
Aside from being a popular ingredient in various seafood dishes, clams are also packed with nutrients that can benefit our health. They are a great source of protein, vitamins, and minerals, such as zinc, iron, and potassium. Clams are also known for their high omega-3 fatty acid content, which has been linked to improving heart health and reducing inflammation in the body.
Simple and Nutritious Broth
The base of the clear clam soup is a simple broth made with dashi, a Japanese stock made from dried kelp and bonito flakes. Dashi is low in calories and fat, making it a healthier alternative to other soup bases. It also contains essential amino acids and minerals, making it a nutritious addition to the soup. The broth is then flavored with soy sauce and mirin, a sweet rice wine, giving the soup a rich umami flavor.
How to Make Japanese Clear Clam Soup
Ingredients:
1 lb fresh clams
4 cups water
1 piece kombu (dried kelp)
1/4 cup bonito flakes
2 tbsp soy sauce
2 tbsp mirin
1 green onion, thinly sliced
Instructions:
In a pot, combine water and kombu. Bring to a boil, then remove the kombu.
Add the bonito flakes and let it simmer for 2-3 minutes. Strain the broth and discard the bonito flakes.
Return the broth to the pot and bring it to a boil.
Add the clams and cook until they open, about 2-3 minutes.
Remove the clams and set aside, leaving the broth in the pot.
Add soy sauce and mirin to the broth and let it simmer for a minute.
Divide the clams into serving bowls and pour the broth over them.
Garnish with green onions and serve hot.
In Conclusion
The Japanese clear clam soup is a simple yet flavorful dish that highlights the natural taste of fresh clams. With its health benefits and easy preparation, it's a great addition to any meal. So why not give this recipe a try and impress your family and friends with a taste of Japan?