Traditional Miso Soup

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1. 1Step 1: Add 5-10 g dried kelp (kombu) and 1 liter cold water to a large pot and soak for at least 30 minutes (up to 24hrs covered in the fridge).
2. 2Step 2: Once rehydrated, place the pot on the stove and bring to a simmer over a medium-low heat. Be careful not to let it boil. When small bubbles start to appear (90-95℃ (194-203°F)), remove the kombu. Discard it or save it for another recipe.
3. 3Step 3: Continue to heat until boiling, then turn off the burner and add 100 ml cold water. Drop 2 handfuls bonito flakes (katsuobushi) into the pot and steep for 3-5 minutes without stirring.
4. 4Step 4: Line a sieve with kitchen paper and place it over a large heatproof bowl.
5. 5Step 5: Pour the dashi through the sieve, the kitchen paper will catch the small pieces of katsuobushi, leaving you with a clear broth.
6. 6Step 6: Thinly slice 30 g fried tofu pouch (aburaage), 30 g Japanese leek (naganegi) and 30 g fresh shiitake mushroom. Cut 150 g tofu into cubes.
7. 7Step 7: Pour the dashi into a pot and heat on medium. Once it's almost boiling, add the ingredients that take longer to cook (aburaage, leek, shiitake) and simmer for a few minutes until cooked to your liking.
8. 8Step 8: Turn off the heat and stir in ¼ tsp Japanese soy sauce (koikuchi shoyu).
9. 9Step 9: Scoop 4 tbsp yellow miso paste (awase) onto a mesh spoon or ladle. Dip the miso paste into the dashi and whisk it in the spoon to loosen it up. Keep whisking, gradually allowing more dashi to seep into the mesh spoon/ladle each time until the miso paste has dissolved into the mixture.
10. 10Step 10: Add 150 g tofu (cubed) to the hot miso soup and stir gently. Allow to warm on residual heat for 2-3 minutes.
11. 11Step 11: Divide the miso soup into bowls and garnish with finely chopped green onion. Serve and enjoy!