17+ Japanese New Year Mochi Soup Recipe You Won't Believe The Taste!
Published on: Mar 2, 2024
In addition to being a staple dish for Japanese New Year celebrations, mochi soup is also a popular comfort food during the cold winter months. This savory and hearty soup is made with tender rice cakes, flavorful broth, and a variety of delicious toppings. If you're looking to add some Japanese flair to your holiday menu or simply want to warm up on a chilly day, this mochi soup recipe is a must-try. Let's dive into the details of this traditional dish and how you can recreate it in your own kitchen.
Main Ingredients: Sweet Red Bean Paste, Water, Mochi
One of the most beloved comfort foods in Japan, zenzai is a sweet red bean soup served with mochi, a type of sticky rice cake. This warm and satisfying dish is perfect for chilly nights and can be easily made at home. Simply boil adzuki beans with sugar until they are soft and creamy, then add in small pieces of mochi to create a thick and delicious soup. The combination of the sweet beans and chewy mochi is a match made in heaven.
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Sweet Red (Adzuki) Bean Soup - 단팥죽
Main Ingredients: Red Bean, Water, Glutinous Rice Powder, Sugar, Salt
In Korea, the equivalent of Japan's zenzai is called patjuk or danpatjuk. This sweet red bean soup is often served during special occasions like New Year's or weddings, but it can also be enjoyed as a comforting dessert on a cold night. The soup is made by boiling adzuki beans with water and sugar until they are soft and then adding in glutinous rice powder to thicken the soup. The result is a sweet and creamy soup with a slightly nutty flavor from the beans.
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Nanakusa-Gayu (Seven-Herb Rice Soup)
Main Ingredients: Water, Dried Kombu, Japanese Rice, Sea Salt, Mochi
Nanakusa-gayu is a traditional Japanese soup that is commonly eaten on January 7th as part of the Japanese New Year celebration. It is made by boiling rice with seven different herbs: Japanese parsley, shepherd's purse, cudweed, chickweed, nipplewort, turnip, and daikon radish. The soup is believed to bring good health and good luck for the rest of the year. It is a simple and nourishing dish that is perfect for starting the year off on a healthy note.
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New Year Stew
Main Ingredients: Collard Greens, Smoked Ham Hocks, Cooked Ham, Water
In addition to soup, another popular dish eaten during the Japanese New Year is a hearty stew filled with various meats and vegetables. The ingredients may vary depending on the region, but common additions include chicken, pork, beef, carrots, potatoes, and daikon radish. The stew is slow-cooked for hours to create a rich and flavorful broth. It is a comforting and filling dish that is perfect for warming up during the cold winter months.
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Pressure Cooked Black Eyed Pea Soup for the New Year
Main Ingredients: Black Eyed Peas, Yellow Split Peas, Millet, Onion
In the southern United States, it is a tradition to eat black eyed peas on New Year's Day for good luck. This pressure cooked black eyed pea soup is a modern twist on the traditional dish. It is made with black eyed peas, diced tomatoes, onion, garlic, and a variety of spices. The pressure cooker helps to infuse the flavors quickly, creating a delicious and hearty soup that is perfect for starting the new year off on the right foot.
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Ozoni (Japanese New Year’s Mochi Soup)
Main Ingredients: Daikon, Carrots, Dried Shiitake Mushrooms, Rice Cakes
Ozoni is a traditional Japanese soup that is eaten on New Year's Day. It is made with a clear broth, chicken or fish, and various vegetables like carrots, mushrooms, and snow peas. The soup is then topped with mochi, a type of sticky rice cake. The mochi is believed to bring good luck and prosperity for the new year. Each region in Japan has their own unique way of making ozoni, making it a versatile and customizable dish.
Udon is a type of thick wheat noodle that is commonly used in Japanese cuisine. When paired with a flavorful broth, it makes for a hearty and satisfying soup. The broth is typically made with dashi, a type of stock made from kombu (dried kelp) and bonito flakes (dried fish flakes). The noodles are then added in and cooked until they are soft and chewy. Additional toppings like sliced beef, vegetables, and a soft-boiled egg can be added for more flavor and texture.
Ramen is a popular noodle dish that originated in China but has become a staple in Japanese cuisine. The dish consists of wheat noodles served in a meat or fish-based broth. The broth is often flavored with soy sauce, miso, or salt and can be topped with a variety of ingredients like sliced pork, green onions, seaweed, and a soft-boiled egg. Ramen is a comforting and hearty soup that is perfect for any time of the year.
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Easy Miso Soup (Japanese Clear Soup)
Main Ingredients: Water, Seaweed, Nori, Shimeji Mushrooms, Baby Spinach
Miso soup is a staple in Japanese cuisine and is often served as a side dish or appetizer. It is made with dashi broth and miso paste, which is a fermented soybean paste. The soup is typically filled with tofu and various vegetables like green onions, seaweed, and mushrooms. It is a light and refreshing soup that is perfect for balancing out a heavy meal or for a light lunch option.
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Japanese Miso, Kale and Tofu Soup
Main Ingredients: Vegetable Stock, White Miso Paste, Garlic Cloves, Fresh
For a healthier twist on traditional miso soup, try adding in some kale and tofu. Kale adds a nutritious boost to the soup, while tofu adds a good source of protein. The soup is made by simmering the kale and tofu in the dashi broth and then adding in the miso paste. It is a hearty and flavorful soup that is perfect for a light and healthy meal option.
For those who like a little kick in their soup, try making a spicy miso ramen. This dish combines the comforting flavors of ramen with the heat of spicy miso paste. The broth is made with a combination of chicken and pork broth and is flavored with soy sauce, miso paste, and chili oil. Toppings like sliced pork, green onions, and a soft-boiled egg make this soup a filling and delicious meal option.
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Slow Cooker Japanese Pork and Ramen Soup
Main Ingredients: Onions, Garlic Cloves, Fresh Ginger, Vegetable Oil, Low
If you don't have time to stand over a stove, why not let your slow cooker do the work for you? This slow cooker Japanese pork and ramen soup is a simple yet delicious dish that is perfect for busy weeknights. The broth is made with a combination of chicken and pork broth and is flavored with soy sauce, ginger, and garlic. The pork is slow-cooked until it is tender and then added to the soup along with the ramen noodles. It's an easy and satisfying meal that the whole family will love.
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Japanese Onion Mushroom Udon Soup
Main Ingredients: Udon Noodles, Sesame, Dressing, Cooking Sherry, Chicken
This Japanese onion mushroom udon soup is a vegetarian-friendly option that is full of flavor. The broth is made with a combination of dashi broth and soy sauce, and the soup is filled with onions, mushrooms, and udon noodles. The onions and mushrooms add a savory and earthy flavor to the soup, while the udon noodles provide a satisfying chewiness. This soup is perfect for cold and rainy days when you want something warm and comforting.
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Japanese Udon - Tofu Soup
Main Ingredients: Silken Tofu, Udon Noodles, White Miso, Bouillon
This udon and tofu soup is a simple and healthy dish that can be made in under 30 minutes. The broth is made with dashi broth and soy sauce, and the soup is filled with tofu and udon noodles. The tofu adds a good source of protein, making this soup a filling and nutritious meal option. Add in some vegetables like bok choy or spinach for an extra dose of vitamins and minerals.
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Japanese Style Egg Drop Soup (Kakitama-jiru)
Main Ingredients: Dashi Stock, Light Soy Sauce, Salt, Cornflour, Egg
Kakitama-jiru is a traditional Japanese egg drop soup that is often served as a part of a multi-course meal. It is made with dashi broth, soy sauce, and eggs that are beaten and then added to the soup to create a delicate and silky texture. The soup is then garnished with green onions and seaweed. It is a light and refreshing soup that is perfect for balancing out a heavy meal.
For a vegetarian version of miso soup, try this Japanese vegetable miso soup. The soup is made with a combination of dashi broth and vegetable broth and is filled with a variety of vegetables like carrots, mushrooms, green onions, and seaweed. The miso paste adds a savory and salty flavor to the soup, making it a satisfying and nutritious meal option.
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Mentsuyu (Japanese Noodle Soup Base)
Main Ingredients: Sake, Mirin, Soy Sauce, Kombu, Bonito Flakes
Mentsuyu is a versatile soup base commonly used in Japanese cuisine. It is made with a combination of dashi broth, soy sauce, mirin, and sugar. This soup base can be used to make a variety of soups, including udon, soba, and ramen. It adds a deep and rich flavor to any soup it is added to, making it a must-have ingredient for any Japanese-inspired dishes.
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Simple Miso Soup
Main Ingredients: Water, Miso, Garlic, Green Onions, Kale
If you're looking for a quick and easy miso soup recipe, look no further than this simple miso soup. It is made with dashi broth and miso paste and is filled with tofu and green onions. It can be made in just 15 minutes, making it a great option for busy weeknights. Add in some mushrooms or seaweed for extra flavor and texture.
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Tori Zosui—Japanese Rice & Chicken Porridge
Main Ingredients: Chicken Stock, Dashi Kombu, Coarsely Ground Black
Tori zosui is a comforting and nourishing porridge made with rice, chicken, and various vegetables. The dish is often served to those who are sick or feeling under the weather due to its soothing properties. The rice and chicken are simmered together until they create a thick and creamy porridge, and vegetables like carrots, mushrooms, and green onions are added for extra flavor and nutrition.
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Ume ochazuke (rice soup with Japanese pickled plums)
Main Ingredients: Japanese Rice, Green Tea, Nori, Pickled Plum, Wasabi
Ume ochazuke is a simple yet delicious soup made with rice, green tea, and Japanese pickled plums. It is a popular breakfast option in Japan and is often served in traditional ryokans (Japanese inns). The tangy and salty flavor of the pickled plums pairs perfectly with the rice and green tea, creating a unique and refreshing soup that is perfect for any time of day.
Ingredients
Rice Cakes
The star of this dish is the mochi - chewy, glutinous rice cakes that are the perfect addition to any soup. You can find pre-made mochi at most Asian supermarkets or make your own at home by steaming or microwaving glutinous rice until it becomes sticky and pliable. Then, shape it into small balls or discs before adding it to the soup.
Broth
The base of the soup is a flavorful and umami-packed broth, typically made with dashi (Japanese fish stock), soy sauce, and mirin. You can purchase dashi granules or make your own by steeping kombu (dried kelp) and bonito flakes (dried, fermented fish) in hot water for a few minutes. For a vegetarian option, you can use vegetable broth and add some dried shiitake mushrooms for a similar umami flavor.
Toppings
The toppings for mochi soup are endless and can be tailored to your preferences. Some popular options include negi (green onions), naruto (fish cakes), aburaage (fried tofu), and kamaboko (steamed fish cake). You can also add in some protein, such as chicken or pork, or vegetables like napa cabbage or carrots. Get creative and add your own twist to this traditional recipe.
Method
To make mochi soup, begin by simmering the rice cakes in the broth until they become soft and tender. Then, add in your desired toppings and let them cook for a few minutes. If you're using raw meat or vegetables, make sure to cook them fully before adding them to the soup. Once everything is cooked, ladle the soup into bowls and top with some shichimi togarashi (Japanese seven spice blend) or furikake (rice seasoning) for an extra kick of flavor.
Final Thoughts
Mochi soup is a delightful and comforting dish that is perfect for any occasion. Whether you're celebrating Japanese New Year or simply looking for a warm and tasty meal, this soup is sure to satisfy your taste buds. Serve it as a starter or as a main course and impress your friends and family with your newfound cooking skills. Give this recipe a try and enjoy a taste of Japan in the comfort of your own home.
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