Tonjiru (Japanese Pork and Vegetable Miso Soup)
Local name: 豚汁
In short: A filling miso soup with thin pork, daikon, carrot, potato and tofu, simmered until the vegetables are tender and finished with spring onions. It takes about 45 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 20 min
- Cook
- 25 min
- Total
- 45 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 300 kcal
Packed with pork and root vegetables, tonjiru is a miso soup hearty enough to be the main part of a meal. It is a winter favorite, ladled out at school lunches, festivals and cold-weather gatherings. Thin slices of pork flavor the broth as they cook, and daikon, carrot and potato turn sweet and soft. Like miso soup, it is finished off the heat so that the miso keeps its aroma. A bowl with rice and a pickle makes a complete, comforting dinner.
Instructions
- Heat the sesame oil in a medium pot over medium heat. Add the pork and cook for 2 minutes, until it just changes color.
- Add the daikon, carrot, potato and burdock and stir for 2 minutes, so the vegetables are coated in the oil.
- Pour in the dashi and bring to a boil. Skim off the foam that rises, then lower the heat and simmer for 12 to 15 minutes, until all the vegetables are tender.
- Add the tofu and heat for 2 minutes more.
- Turn off the heat. Put the miso in a ladle, dip it into the soup and stir with chopsticks until dissolved, then stir the miso into the pot. Do not boil the soup again.
- Ladle into bowls, scatter with spring onions and serve with togarashi if you like.
Tips
- Fatty pork belly gives the richest broth. Skim off excess fat if it looks greasy. Thin pork shoulder or loin works too and makes a lighter soup.
- Make it a day ahead if you can. Tonjiru tastes better after resting, but add the miso only after reheating, keeping the heat low.
Questions and answers
What is the difference between tonjiru and miso soup?
Tonjiru is a heartier version with pork and plenty of root vegetables, served as a main part of the meal. Plain miso soup is lighter, with one or two ingredients, and is a side.
Can I make tonjiru in a slow cooker?
Yes. Cook the pork, vegetables and dashi on low for 4 to 5 hours, then stir in the miso at the end. Skip the sauteing step if you like.
Can I freeze tonjiru?
Freeze it without the tofu and potatoes, which turn spongy and grainy. Thaw it overnight, reheat gently and add the miso and fresh potatoes or tofu as needed.
How long does it take to make Tonjiru (Japanese Pork and Vegetable Miso Soup)?
About 45 min in total: 20 min of preparation and 25 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Tonjiru (Japanese Pork and Vegetable Miso Soup)?
About 300 kcal per serving, with 14 g of protein, 18 g of carbohydrates and 19 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 300 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 14 g |
| Carbohydrates | 18 g |
| Fat | 19 g |
| Fiber | 3 g |
| Sugar | 5 g |
| Sodium | 1000 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
