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White miso Zoni soup with toasted mochi and vegetables
Japanese New Year soup with mochi

Japanese New Year Mochi Soup with White Miso (Zoni)

Author: Flavelo
Recipes Vegetarian & Vegan Dishes Soups
Zoni is the symbolic soup of the Japanese New Year (Oshogatsu). The mochi (rice cake) signifies resilience and longevity. While Tokyo style uses a clear broth, the Kyoto/Kansai region enriches it with White Miso (Shiro Miso), giving it a sweeter, creamier, and more elegant profile suitable for the holiday table.
🕒 Prep Time 10 mins
🍳 Cook Time 20 mins
⌛ Total Time 30 mins
🍽️ Servings 2 servings
🔥 Calories 300 kcal
🌍 Cuisine Japanese

Ingredients

Equipment Needed

  • Toaster Oven or Skillet for mochi
  • Saucepan

Allergen Information

⚠️ Soy
⚠️ Fish (Dashi)

Instructions

1 ✓

Slice carrot and daikon into rounds. Simmer in Dashi stock with mushrooms until tender (10-15 mins).

Tip: In Japan, carrots are often cut into flower shapes to celebrate the special occasion.
2 ✓

Meanwhile, toast the mochi blocks in a toaster oven or dry skillet until they puff up and brown.

Tip: Toasting adds flavor (Maillard reaction) and makes the inside gooey.
3 ✓

Remove soup from heat. Dissolve miso in a ladle with some hot broth, then stir back in. Add spinach.

Tip: Never boil miso; high heat destroys its delicate aroma and probiotic qualities.
4 ✓

Place toasted mochi in bowls and ladle the hot vegetable soup over it.

Tip: The mochi will immediately soften in the hot broth.

Recipe FAQ

How do I eat mochi?
Chew carefully! Mochi is very sticky and can be a choking hazard if swallowed whole.
The miso is grainy.
Use a fine mesh strainer when dissolving the miso into the soup for a silky texture.

Ingredients

  • 4 blocks Kiri-Mochi (Shelf-stable rice cakes)
  • 3 tbsp White Miso Paste (Shiro Miso)
  • 3 1/4 cups Dashi Stock
  • 1 medium Carrot
  • 4 caps Shiitake Mushrooms
  • 4 oz Daikon Radish
  • 2 oz Fresh Spinach
  • 1 tbsp Soy Sauce