Tonjiru (Japanese Pork Miso Soup)

In this version of tonjiru, I like to use sweet potatoes instead of regular potatoes.
As they cook, they release a gentle sweetness that naturally flavors the soup.

Japanese sweet potatoes with purple skin work especially well for this recipe. They are sweeter than many Western varieties and add a warm, comforting flavor to the broth.

What Is Tonjiru?

Tonjiru is a traditional Japanese soup made with pork, vegetables, and miso.
Because it contains protein, vegetables, and root vegetables in one bowl, it can be both satisfying and nutritionally balanced. It’s a common home-cooked dish in Japan and is especially comforting during cooler weather.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Comforting and satisfying – This hearty miso soup is filled with pork and vegetables, making it more filling than regular miso soup.

Balanced and nourishing – With protein from pork and fiber from vegetables, this soup can be part of a simple, balanced meal.

Simple ingredients – The recipe uses everyday ingredients that are easy to find even outside Japan.

Great for meal prep – Tonjiru often tastes even better the next day as the flavors continue to develop.

Naturally flavorful – Sweet potatoes add a gentle sweetness that makes the broth especially comforting.

Japanese Pork Miso Soup( Tonjiru)

Course: Dinner, lunch

Cuisine: Japanese

Keyword: Tonjiru

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 20 minutes mins

A comforting and nourishing Japanese pork miso soup made with sweet potato, carrot, lotus root, tofu and thinly sliced pork. This high protein tonjiru is warm, hearty and perfect for a healthy weeknight dinner or meal prep.

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Ingredients Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients

  

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• 2-3 oz Thinly sliced pork loin
• ¼ cup Carrot
• ½ cup Sweet potato
• 3 tbsp Burdock root sliced
• ¼ cup Rutes root
• 3.5 oz Firm tofu
• ½ tsp Grated garlic
• ¾ tsp Sesami oil

A

• 1¼ cup Water
• ¾ tsp Hondashi( dashi powder)
• 1½ tbsp Miso paste

Garnish

• 1 tbsp Green onion

Method

 

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Step1-Prep the ingredients

1. Cut the thinly sliced pork loin into bite size.
2. Slice the carrot into quarter round.
3. Scrub and wash the burdock root, then slice it diagonally into thin pieces.
4. Cut the routs root and sweet potato into quarter rounds.
5. tear tofu into small bite size pieces by hand

Step2-Saute

1. Add the sesami mi oil, grated garlic, pork, burdock root, routs root, to a pot.

   Sauté over medium heat for about 5 minutes until fragrant.

   Season with salt and pepper and stir to combine.

Step3-Simmer

1. Add the water, dashi powder, carrot, and sweet potato. Bring to a boil, add the tofu. Cover and simmer over medium low heat for 10 minutes.

Step4-Add miso

1. Turn the heat to low. dissolve the miso in a ladle of hot soup, then return it to the pot. Gently simmer for2~3minutes without boiling.

Nutrition

Serving: 2servingsCalories: 182kcalCarbohydrates: 18gProtein: 15gFat: 6gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 20mgSodium: 682mgPotassium: 424mgFiber: 4gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 7431IUVitamin C: 9mgCalcium: 92mgIron: 1mg

Notes

• Tonjiru tastes even better the next day as the flavors deepen.
• If you cannot find burdock root, rotus root, you can substitute extra carrot or sweet potato.
• Do not boil the soup after adding miso, or the flavor will become harsh.
• You can also use pork shoulder if you prefer a slightly richer and more flavorful soup.
• Store in the refrigerator for up to # days and reheat gently.

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