Japanese Clear Onion Soup (Dashi Onion Soup)

A light and flavorful onion soup featuring a clear dashi broth and subtly sweet caramelized onions. It's a comforting and elegant twist on traditional French onion soup.

Prep Time

15 minutes

Total Time

45 minutes

Calories

160

Level

Easy

Yields

4 servings

Cost

£1.14

Season:

Meal Type:

Cuisine:

Mood:

Ingredients

Servings

2largeYellow Onions(Thinly sliced)

£0.80

6cupsDashi(Homemade or instant dashi granules can be used. Adjust amount depending on granules.)

£2.50

1tablespoonSoy Sauce(Light soy sauce is preferred for color.)

£0.10

1tablespoonMirin(Adds sweetness and umami)

£0.20

1tablespoonSake (optional)(Adds depth of flavor)

£0.30

1teaspoonSesame Oil(For sautéing the onions.)

£0.05

2Scallions(Thinly sliced, for garnish)

£0.50

1teaspoonToasted Sesame Seeds(For garnish)

£0.10

to tasteSalt

Total Cost

£4.55

£1.14 per serving

The Method

1
Heat sesame oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat.
2
Add sliced onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and lightly caramelized. This will take about 20-25 minutes. Be patient and don't rush the caramelization process.
3
Pour in the dashi broth and bring to a simmer.
4
Add soy sauce, mirin, and sake (if using). Taste and adjust seasoning with salt, if needed.
5
Simmer for another 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
6
Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with sliced scallions and toasted sesame seeds. Serve hot.

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My Notes

Nutrition Information

Nutrition per serving (300g)

160 kcal / 669 kJ

Carbs

20g

8% of RDA

Fat

7% of RDA

Protein

8% of RDA

Detailed Breakdown

Fibre

3 g

10% of RDA

Sugar

9 g

10% of RDA

Sodium

900 mg

39% of RDA

Saturated Fat

1 g

5% of RDA

Chef's Tips

For a deeper onion flavor, you can caramelize the onions even longer, but be careful not to burn them.

If you prefer a clearer broth, strain the soup through a fine-mesh sieve after simmering. This will remove any onion solids.

If using instant dashi, follow the package instructions for proper dilution.

For a more substantial meal, consider adding soft tofu or wakame seaweed to the soup.

Cooking Equipment

Large pot or Dutch oven

Wine Pairings

No wine pairing suggestions available for this recipe.

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