There is a special kind of magic in a simple, clear soup that warms you from the inside out. This Japanese Onion Soup is the embodiment of that comfort, a delicate and savory broth that feels both healing and deeply satisfying. It’s a recipe that proves you don’t need a long list of ingredients to create something truly memorable.
On rainy afternoons, my mom, Eva, would quietly make this soup. The gentle scent of ginger and garlic was her silent language of love, a warm, comforting promise in a bowl that everything was going to be okay.
Why This Simple Broth is So Special
- Simple & Quick: A comforting soup that comes together in under 20 minutes with minimal effort.
- Delicate Flavor: A beautiful, savory, and light broth perfect for any time of year.
- Versatile Base: This clear soup is a wonderful starting point; feel free to add other ingredients like mushrooms or tofu.
- Nostalgic Comfort: The perfect recipe for a quiet, cozy day when you need a little warmth.
The Handful of Ingredients You’ll Need
- 4 cups vegetable broth (or dashi for a more traditional flavor)
- 1 medium white onion, thinly sliced into rings
- 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 garlic clove, finely minced
- 1/2 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
- 2 green onions, chopped (for garnish)
- Salt, to taste
My Two Trusted Kitchen Helpers
Medium Saucepan
A good, sturdy saucepan is all you really need to gently coax the wonderful flavors out of these simple ingredients.
Sharp Chef’s Knife
For those paper-thin onion rings that turn so beautifully translucent in the broth, a sharp knife makes all the difference.
Bringing the Soup to Life, Step by Step
First, a Whisper of Garlic and Ginger
In a medium saucepan, heat the sesame oil over medium heat. Add your finely minced garlic and grated ginger, and sauté for about a minute. My favorite part is when that first wave of fragrant steam hits you, it’s the promise of a delicious soup to come.
Gently Soften the Onions
Add the thinly sliced onion rings to the pan. Cook them for just 2 to 3 minutes. Your goal is to get them slightly softened and fragrant, not to brown them at all. This is the secret to keeping this a beautiful, delicate Japanese soup.
Now, Create the Broth
Now, pour in the vegetable broth and the soy sauce. Give it a gentle stir to combine everything, and bring the mixture to a simmer.
Let It Simmer Peacefully
Reduce the heat to low and let the soup simmer uncovered for 10 to 12 minutes. Be patient here. This is when the onions release their subtle sweetness into the broth, becoming soft and perfectly translucent.
A Final Taste for Seasoning
Give the soup a little taste and see if it needs any salt. The soy sauce and broth add a good amount of flavor, so you may not need any extra. Once you’re happy with it, remove it from the heat.
Garnish with a Touch of Green
Ladle your beautiful soup into bowls. Don’t be shy with the chopped green onions, their fresh, sharp bite is the perfect finishing touch.
Serve and Savor the Moment
Serve the soup while it’s wonderfully hot. I hope you enjoy the delicate, savory layers in every single spoonful.
A Quick Note on Nutrition
Please note that the nutritional information provided is an estimate and can vary based on the specific ingredients and quantities you use. The values are calculated using standard software and should be considered an approximation.
A Few Wholesome Swaps
- Lower Sodium: To make this an even healthier Japanese broth soup, use a certified low-sodium vegetable broth or make your own from scratch to have full control over the salt content.
- Gluten-Free Option: Simply swap the soy sauce for tamari or coconut aminos to make this recipe completely gluten-free without sacrificing that essential umami flavor.
- Add More Veggies: Feel free to add other thinly sliced vegetables like mushrooms, carrots, or bok choy during the simmering stage for an extra boost of nutrients and fiber.
Ways to Serve This Bowl of Comfort
- With a Side of Rice: This soup is absolutely lovely served alongside a small bowl of fluffy, steamed white or brown rice to make it a more complete meal.
- Add Some Tofu: For a little extra protein, add a few cubes of silken or firm tofu to the broth during the last few minutes of simmering.
- With a Kick: If you enjoy a little bit of heat, a few drops of chili oil or a sprinkle of red pepper flakes on top can add a wonderful, warming contrast to the delicate broth.
A Little Advice from My Kitchen
- Browning the Onions: The beauty of this recipe is in its name, a clear soup. If you sauté the onions for too long and they begin to brown, it will muddy the color and flavor of the final broth. Cook them just until they are soft and fragrant.
- Boiling Vigorously: This soup should be kept at a gentle, steady simmer. A rolling boil can make the broth cloudy and cause the delicate onions to break apart too much.
- Using Stale Aromatics: The flavor of this simple soup relies heavily on fresh garlic and ginger. Using dried powders or old, dry aromatics will result in a much less vibrant and fragrant soup.
Saving Some for Another Day
This soup stores beautifully. Allow it to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. It will keep in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. For the best results, reheat it gently on the stovetop over low heat. I recommend keeping the green onion garnish separate and adding it fresh to each bowl just before serving.
From My Kitchen to Yours
This recipe is a testament to how the simplest ingredients can come together to create something truly special. It’s more than just a soup; it’s a warm hug in a bowl. I hope you’ll make this for yourself or someone you love on a day that calls for a little extra comfort, and in doing so, create a warm memory of your own.
A Few Things You Might Be Wondering
“What if I can’t find white onions?”
While white or yellow onions are ideal for their mild, slightly sweet flavor that complements the broth, you could use a sweet onion like Vidalia. I would avoid red onions, as they can alter the color of the clear broth.
“Can I add a little protein to this?”
Absolutely! Thinly sliced mushrooms or cubes of firm tofu are excellent additions. You could also add pre-cooked, shredded chicken or small shrimp during the last few minutes of simmering, just long enough to heat them through.
“What’s dashi, and should I try it?”
Dashi is a traditional Japanese soup stock made from ingredients like kombu (kelp) and bonito flakes. Using dashi instead of vegetable broth will give your soup a more traditional, umami-rich flavor that is incredibly delicious. You can find dashi granules or packets in most Asian grocery stores.
Print
Japanese Onion Soup
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
A delicate and savory Japanese Onion Soup, a clear broth with subtle flavors of onion, ginger, and garlic, light, comforting, and deeply satisfying.
Ingredients
- 4 cups vegetable broth (or dashi for a more traditional flavor)
- 1 medium white onion, thinly sliced into rings
- 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 garlic clove, finely minced
- 1/2 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
- 2 green onions, chopped (for garnish)
- Salt, to taste
Instructions
- Heat sesame oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat.
- Add minced garlic and grated ginger, sauté for about 1 minute.
- Add thinly sliced onion rings, cook for 2–3 minutes until softened but not browned.
- Pour in vegetable broth and soy sauce, stir gently.
- Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low and let simmer uncovered for 10–12 minutes.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with salt if needed.
- Ladle soup into bowls and garnish with chopped green onions.
- Serve hot and enjoy.
Notes
For a gluten-free version, substitute tamari or coconut aminos for soy sauce. Add mushrooms, tofu, or other vegetables for extra flavor and nutrition.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Japanese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 70
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 500mg
- Fat: 2g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: Japanese onion soup, clear soup, ginger garlic broth, light soup