Miso soup is a warm, comforting soup that is served at Japanese restaurants. Although it might seem simple because it has so few ingredients, some ingredients in miso soup can contain gluten. Here’s how to tell whether the miso soup at home or in a restaurant is safe for gluten-free diets.
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Quick Answer:
Miso soup is not always gluten-free. Miso soup can be gluten-free, but it depends entirely on the ingredients, specifically the miso paste and dashi used. Many miso pastes are made with barley or wheat, and most dashi stocks include soy sauce or other gluten-containing seasonings.
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What Is Miso Soup?
Miso soup is a traditional Japanese soup served at many restaurants. It is made with miso paste and dashi stock. Miso soup has a slightly salty flavor from the miso paste. It is considered comfort food, and it is common in Japan to serve miso soup with breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
It’s enjoyed as part of breakfast, lunch, or dinner in Japan, and it’s popular in Japanese restaurants around the world. While this soup may seem simple, the ingredients vary depending on the type of miso and broth used, so gluten-free diners should be cautious.
👀 Sandi Says: A good tip when shopping for miso is to look at the names of the miso. Mugi miso is made with barley, and Tsubi miso is made with wheat and rye. Read more in Is Miso Gluten-Free.
Typical Ingredients In Miso Soup
- Miso paste
- Dashi – I have found only one gluten-free dashi made by Kanei if you want to try to make it from scratch.
- Wakame (seaweed)
- Silken Tofu
- Scallions
Note that many restaurants also add a small amount of soy sauce or other seasonings. Be sure to talk to the wait staff and find out if they used a gluten-free soy sauce or tamari.
Tips for Ordering Miso Soup at Restaurants
Below are the important questions I always ask at a Japanese restaurant. When in doubt, skip it or make it yourself at home.
- Ask what kind of miso they use.
- Check if their dashi is gluten-free.
- Confirm that they don’t add soy sauce or any sauces with wheat.
Make Miso Soup:
If you prefer to make homemade miso soup, it is straightforward to make. You can find everything on Amazon or at your local Asian grocery store. This miso soup recipe is an easy recipe we love to make
- Gluten-Free Miso Paste
- Gluten Free Dashi (linked above in the answer section.)
- Wakame Seaweed
⚠️ Always double-check product labels and manufacturing practices, since brands can change ingredients or processing methods without warning.
