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Perfect Pairings: 8 BEST Side Dishes to Serve with Miso Soup

Miso soup is a traditional Japanese dish made with fermented soybeans that lend its rich flavor to the broth.

It’s made by combining steamed rice or barley with miso, a salty paste made from fermented soybeans.

The combination of the two is then simmered with vegetables to create one delicious soup that can be enjoyed any time of year.

Miso soup may not have the same name recognition level outside Japan as it does within its borders, but it’s slowly becoming a worldwide sensation.

There are many types of miso soup, but the base is always a dashi broth and miso paste.

The type of stock used can alter the flavor and nutrients of the soup, with traditional Japanese versions using fish stock while vegetarian versions typically use vegetable or mushroom stock.

Miso soup is a staple part of Japanese cuisine and is often referred to as “comfort food”.

It’s a very popular option for lunches and dinners, especially in the winter months.

It is a tasty and healthy soup paired with different side dishes, depending on personal preference.

In this article, we will list eight side dishes that go perfectly with a bowl of miso soup.

Why Consider Serving Side Dishes for Miso Soup?

why consider serving side dishes for miso soup

Miso soup is a Japanese soup that is made from miso paste and broth.

Many different dishes go into making the soup, such as tofu and scallions (green onions), but how about serving a side dish with your miso? It may sound strange at first, but it will provide you with variety when eating your miso soup.

In addition, side dishes are easy to prepare.

This is beneficial for people who are not very familiar with cooking or who don’t have much time on their hands.

Take some side dishes, put them into a bowl, and pour miso soup on top.

You’ll be ready to eat in no time.

Another reason why you should consider serving side dishes with miso soup because it will add some flair to the dish.

Instead of the same old flavor each time you make a pot of miso, you can try something new.

A word of caution about adding side dishes to your soup: you mustn’t use too much.

You don’t want to overpower the taste of the miso with the side dish.

What to Serve with Miso Soup? 8 BEST Side Dishes

what to serve with miso soup best side dishes

Here are eight side dishes that will complete your Miso Soup meal.

1 – Sashimi

sashimi

First off, if you don’t know what sashimi is, it’s raw fish.

That might sound distasteful to some people, but believe us when we say everyone will be asking for seconds after your meal.

The best part about this side dish is that it tastes great with just about any Miso Soup.

If you’re not a fan of the fishy taste, try pairing sashimi with rice. It’s also extremely healthy for you and tastes amazing.

So if it’s your first time trying sashimi out, then we’d recommend you pick up a few packs and give it a try.

You certainly won’t regret it.

2 – Edamame

edamame

It’s okay to admit that sometimes we get tired of eating the same old side dishes every single night of the week.

We think adding edamame to your meal is a great way to experience something new while still making sure that your meal is super healthy.

This side dish may be foreign for some, but if you’re looking for a green alternative to eat with miso, then this is definitely what you want to try out.

3 – Kimchi

kimchi

Kimchi is a classic side dish that goes great with Miso Soup.

It’s not for everyone, but if you’re looking to spice up your meal, then kimchi might be the perfect option for you.

It adds a delicious Korean twist to your regular miso soup, which you’re going to love.

So if you want to bring a bit of Asia into your house, then this is the way to do it.

There are so many different types of kimchi to choose from so if you’re feeling adventurous, take a chance on this delicious recipe.

4 – Grilled Fish

grilled fish

The next side dish we recommend is grilled fish.

This is also a great option if you’re not in the mood for sashimi but still want to keep your meal light and healthy.

It’s quick and easy to make this side at home, which means you can get a healthy meal on the table in no time at all.

Plus, grilled fish is just better-tasting sashimi, so you’re making your meal even healthier when you add this side.

If you want to add some extra flavor to your grilled fish, we recommend trying out this recipe for Asian Grilled Fish.

It’s delicious and will surely impress any guests you have over to your home.

We can guarantee that this side dish will quickly become a family favorite.

5 – Fried Tofu

fried tofu

This next side is perfect if you’re looking for something a little bit more savory than the other options we’ve listed so far.

Fried tofu is a great choice if you’re looking for a side that will satisfy your appetite.

It’s quick and easy to make at home, which means you won’t have any excuse not to try it out.

Plus, fried tofu will add a nice crunchy element to your meal so everyone can enjoy their food.

This type of side dish is a great choice if you’re looking for a quick and healthy lunch to make at home.

We also recommend this Fried Tofu recipe because it will add some extra flavor while still being quick and easy.

You can’t go wrong with fried tofu, trust us.

6 – Steamed Vegetables

steamed vegetables

If you want to go the healthier route when picking aside for your miso soup, then steamed vegetables might be the best choice for you.

They’re quick and easy to make, so they’re perfect if you need to get your meal on the table in a hurry.

Not to mention that it’s super healthy, so you can pat yourself on the back after eating this delicious meal.

Steamed vegetables are one of our go-to side dish recipes when we’re in a rush but still want to eat something healthy.

We recommend pairing steamed vegetables with miso soup that’s made with either chicken or beef.

This recipe for Steamed Green Beans is quick and easy to make, so it’s perfect if you’re looking to get a healthy meal on the table in no time.

7 – California Rolls

california rolls

If you’re looking for something that’s just as delicious as it is nutritious, then we recommend trying out California rolls.

These are made with tofu instead of fish, so they’re perfect if you’re looking for a quick and easy way to enjoy sushi at home.

They go great with Miso Soup, so if you want to lighten up your meal, then this is the way to go.

Besides, everyone loves sushi – even vegetarians.

California rolls are a delicious and healthy side that goes perfectly with miso soup, and we highly recommend giving them a try.

If you want to make your own California rolls, we recommend trying out this recipe for Tofu Sushi Rolls – it even includes some dipping sauces.

8 – Rice Balls (Onigiri)

rice balls onigiri

The last side dish option on our list is rice balls (onigiri).

These are typically made with rice and seaweed, so they’re perfect if you want to add a bit of seafood into your meal.

They also have a nice crunchy element to them, which makes them even more delicious.

Plus, making these at home is super easy, so you won’t have any excuse not to try them out.

Not to mention that they’re very nutritious and filling, so it’s the perfect side if you want something with a bit of substance.

You can enjoy these as is or even use them to make your sushi rolls.

We like to dip our rice balls (onigiri) in soy sauce, but you can also go for sriracha or siracha if you want something a little bit spicier.

Suppose you’re looking for a new and easy side dish to add to your miso soup.

In that case, we recommend trying out our recipe for Rice Balls (Onigiri) with Spicy Cucumber Miso Dip – it’s quick and easy to make, so it will be perfect if you’re looking to get a healthy meal on the table in no time.

Conclusion

Miso soup is a delicious and healthy dish that everyone loves.

It’s based around dashi (fish stock) as its base, but you can also make it with bonito or kombu – we recommend going for the latter if you want to keep your meal vegetarian.

You can’t go wrong with miso soup, and we highly recommend adding it to your meal plan.

Besides, a tasty miso soup is a great way to start any meal – especially if you’re looking for something that’s filling and nutritious, so it will keep everyone satisfied until the main course.

These are just a few of our favorite side dishes to serve with miso soup – did we miss your favorite? Let us know in the comments below.

what to serve with miso soup

What To Serve With Miso Soup? 8 BEST Side Dishes

5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Course Side Dishes
Servings 1 Serving

Ingredients
  

  • Sashimi
  • Edamame
  • Kimchi
  • Grilled Fish
  • Fried Tofu
  • Steamed Vegetables
  • California Rolls
  • Rice Balls Onigiri

Instructions
 

  • Choose your favorite recipe from the list of options.
  • Organize all required ingredients and prepare a delicious meal in 30 minutes or less!
Did you make this recipe?Mention @EatDelights or tag #eatdelights!

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