Of all Japanese comfort foods, miso soup comes first to mind for me and my kids that have it each week.
The toasty, deep-savor flavor is a delight and sensation few other foods give, and its salty-sweet richness makes it one of the best soups for those that like a large variety of flavor-compatible dishes to pick from.
Want to know what goes well with miso soup?
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Looking for ideas on what to serve with miso soup to guests or family?
If so, you are in luck as I share easy ways to make miso soup into unforgettable, mouth-watering meals that satisfy any appetite, and below I cover the best miso soup side dishes I have tried over the years.
Miso soup has a distinct taste that goes well with many dishes and side items you may already have on hand and if you want to know what to serve with miso soup, this is the guide for you but before we go further, allow me to share my back story and inspiration for this miso soup guide that is personal to me.
Growing up, my father (who loved Asian culture) always kept fresh-dried fish and seaweed on hand to make Miso paste for his weekly supply of homemade soup, a tradition that lives on for me and my kids who now enjoy the soup at least a night or two per week.
Over the years I tried many miso soup recipes and side dishes with some better than others, and from fried rice to chicken dumplings to pork katsu and spring rolls, miso soup is versatile and goes great with more side dishes than you may think.
1. Chicken Dumpling Soup (15-Min Prep Time)
This recipe is great for fast meals and nights where you need an easy dinner as it takes no time to make, and the tasty broth goes great with the vegetable dumplings that are crisp, chewy, and lush full of flavor.
Miso dumpling soup is first on the list as the recipe is a taste of heaven and very simple to follow, plus it requires no more than fifteen minutes to prepare based on the number of servings you need to provide.
Back in my days of having to budget in college, canned dumplings were a go-to meal as it was easy and cheap yet hearty and filling, and it dunked in soy or gyoza sauce is a taste-bud-frenzy duo you must try.
The bold flavors of miso soup go well with fresh or frozen dumplings and the ingredients are simple and available at nearly any grocery store, and the fast prep time makes it a good meal after a long tiring day.
This umami-rich soup is not only sour and salty but sweet and bitter, which makes it a great companion to dumplings that bring out the rich notes of flavor miso soup has to offer, this will soon likely be your new family and household favorite.
2. Edamame
If you are like me and enjoy trying new meals, the green-and-healthy, Instant Pot Edamame recipe is one you must try, and the best part (besides its great taste and high nutrition) is it can be prepped and ready for eating in as little as five minutes, making it one of the fastest-to-prepare recipes in this guide.
One nicety of this dish is it can be made from frozen edamame with no loss in taste or quality, and with no preparation and only five minutes of cooking time needed, you can have the perfect side dish ready for your miso soup in no time at all.
3. Shrimp Poke Bowl
This must-try recipe compliments the flavors of miso soup and is a quick and easy, weeknight side dish.
This dish is a blend of shrimp and crunchy veggies with a kick from the mixed-in spicy mayo the recipe calls for. I may be biased in listing this third as spicy mayo is a personal favorite, and this poke bowl is the perfect dish and opportunity to use my favorite of all mayo varieties.
The Shrimp Poke Bowl is on our home menu at least a few nights per month as it is easy to make and only takes twenty minutes to prep. Plus, it is full of French-crunchy vegetables, and can be easily tailored and customized with ingredients you likely already have on hand.
You can also make the bowl to meet low-carb, vegetarian needs. If you like shrimp and are a spicy mayo lover like me, this poke bowl will not let your taste buds, appetite, or expectations down.
4. Fried Rice
This dish never fails to satisfy, and will have you never order takeout from the local Chinese place again.
The mix of eggs, peas, carrots, onions, and long-grain rice is a match-in-heaven ingredient mix that goes well with the flavors and saltiness of miso soup (I like to blend in soy sauce for some extra added flavor).
Fried rice makes its way to my plate more nights than I care to say but the many ways to prep it makes it a versatile, miso-perfect side dish, and from Ham and Chicken to Shrimp and Bacon fried rice, there are so many easy and tasteful ways to enjoy and customize it (one of the best miso side dishes to cook up).
5. Shrimp Stir Fry
Shrimp and veggies blend with Asian garlic sauce for this recipe that is easy and mouth-watery delicious.
Shrimp is a great stir fry addition as its juice mixed with rich-fresh flavors of veggies and peppers makes for a burst of flavors and aromas that go hand-in-hand with those of miso soup. It requires minimum ingredients and can be made lots of ways, just be sure to watch the shrimp as they can easily overcook.
6. Tostadas
After a long day with little energy for cooking, this is my go-to side dish as it can be made using cheese with either pork, beef, refried beans, or shredded chicken (one of which most of us have in the house).
7. Spring Rolls
Search no further for a great-tasting, authentic egg roll experience with this recipe that is easy to make and perfect for light lunches, dinners, and appetizers.
As a lifelong fan of Thai and Vietnamese foods, I tried many dishes over the years ranging from Pho Soup to Thai Chicken and Panang Curry but my love for springs brings me back to this recipe at least a night or two each week as it is healthy, full of great flavor, and goes well with plenty of other dishes and recipes.
This recipe takes only forty minutes and will be some of the best spring rolls you have had, and they stay fresh for up to three days in the fridge and are best had and enjoyed dunked in sweet chili peanut sauce.
8. Tofu Lettuce Wraps
This is one of my favorites and is an easy, highly-delicious recipe that serves as the perfect light meal or appetizer. I am sure this will be a personal and household favorite for you as it is for me and my home.
The taste and freshness of these tofu lettuce wraps are miles ahead of one's from restaurants and are vegan and plant-based friendly but you can add in meat if your diet, appetite, or preference calls for it.
From garlic to onion to ginger and sesame oil, these tofu lettuce wrap pack fresh, lush-explosive flavors that will have you wishing you found this recipe sooner than you did, and the best part is it requires just five minutes to prep and only ten minutes to cook, making it one of the best, end-of-a-long-day recipes.
9. Gyoza
These pan-fried, Japanese dumplings are on another level of goodness with a crispy-golden coating and nice-and-juicy texture that will leave you wanting more. This filling, simple-to-make recipe can be made with a meat of your choice and goes delightfully great with nearly all Asian and Japanese dipping sauces.
Gyoza is as loved and popular as ramen in Asian culture and is a savory, mouth watering snack or meal that is great any time of day. It takes simple ingredients like meat, dough, and veggies, and takes only thirty minutes of prep and cook time, so you can make a tasty delight that takes only an hour to enjoy.
10. Dragon Roll
Growing up, dragon rolls were a sushi favorite to my father who would roll and make them at home, it was a weekly tradition for him, and one I keep going by enjoying this crunchy-shrimp, creamy-avocado sushi tempura that wonderfully matches and compliments the moist-vinegar rice, it is a wonderful duo.
Despite the intimidating name, these rolls are not hard to make and take simple ingredients like shrimp avocado, cucumber, and of course, sushi rice, spicy mayo, and seaweed. These dragon rolls are the best you will get and take no more than an hour of time to prep and enjoy (your taste buds are in for a treat).
12. Pork Katsu
My oh my, if an incredibly tasty and savory dish is what you want, Pork Katsu is a must-try dish that will leave a lasting mark on your appetite and list of favorite recipes. This Japanese dish has juicy and tender pork that is first covered in crispy panko breadcrumbs and then fried to lovely, golden-brown perfection.
This dish serves well with sweet-tangy tonkatsu sauce that brings out the flavors of the pork, this recipe will give you a rush of taste and flavor you never knew this meat could give and the prep time is not bad at all; it takes five minutes to prepare, fifteen minutes to cook, and then only seconds to eat and devour.
13. Vegetable Tempura
Not a person I know can resist fresh, homemade veggie tempura that has a crunchy, light-air batter that is oh-so-tasty and addicting, the texture goes great with veggies and seafood and takes no time to make.
The batter and oil temp are the things to focus on most when making this dish that takes twenty-five minutes of prep time and forty-five minutes of cook time, well worth the little over an hour it takes to prep and enjoy and will likely be your next kitchen and family favorite (you will love this tasty recipe).
14. Chicken Teriyaki
This is a staple of my home and kitchen, and a beloved popular dish in both Asian and Western cultures.
This teriyaki chicken recipe leaves no room for letdowns, and will be the best of any Chinese restaurant you have had it from, that I assure you. This dish and recipe are as versatile as they come and go well with a variety of easy dishes, including egg rolls, fried rice, and my personal favorite, vegetable lo mein.
From the flavors of chicken to rich and robust hints of soy sauce, olive oil, and brown sugar, this chicken teriyaki recipe is a taste of heaven in no time at all (ten minutes of prep time, ten minutes of cook time).
15. Bok Choy
This fresh-crunch, flavor-bursting recipe is a great-tasting, easy-to-make side dish that is ready to enjoy in ten minutes. Its simple ingredients, some of which being ginger, garlic, cabbage, and soy sauce, make Garlic Bok Choy a very pleasing and satisfying dish, I always like to add in some sweet chili and crushed ginger for an added, out-of-this-world flavor (try it and thank me later).
16. Yakitori
Glazed and dressed in Yakitori Sauce, my kids love this Asian take on conventional grilled chicken that does not come close to the nice-pleasant flavors Japanese Grilled Chicken (Yakitori) has to offer. The explosive, sweet-savory flavors of this chicken on a stick will leave you full and speechless, and there are many ways to make and dress it. Give this recipe a try for a great-lovely meal in just over an hour’s time.
17. Udon Noodles
On tiring days or weekends, Udon Noodles are one of my first meals of choice as they are healthy, filling, fresh in taste, and easy to cook and prepare.
This recipe is easy to make and includes veggies, mushrooms, and a meat or protein of your choice. This stir-fried noodle recipe brings true Asian flavors to the plate for an unforgettable eating experience, and can be ready for your eating pleasure in just fifteen minutes.
📖 Recipe
What to Eat with Miso Soup: 16 Best Side Dishes
Ingredients
- Chicken Dumpling Soup 15-Min Prep Time
- Edamame
- Shrimp Poke Bowl
- Fried Rice
- Shrimp Stir Fry
- Tostadas
- Spring Rolls
- Tofu Lettuce Wraps
- Gyoza
- Dragon Roll
- Pork Katsu
- Vegetable Tempura
- Chicken Teriyaki
- Bok Choy
- Yakitori
- Udon Noodles
Instructions
- Pick your favorite.
- Enjoy!
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