You could say it's a version of Japanese breakfast
This method of serving a bowl of miso soup alongside sides such as eggs, fish, or vegetables is reminiscent of a traditional Japanese breakfast. Typically, a Japanese breakfast includes a bowl of miso soup paired with around five other elements. These usually consist of rice, a protein source like fish or tofu, a type of pickle, a non-pickled vegetable, and an egg dish such as an omelet.
If you prefer to adhere strictly to tradition, you can opt for the authentic Japanese experience, but be prepared to invest significantly more time in preparation. Japanese grocery stores or Asian markets like H-Mart often carry pickles and marinated tofu that require minimal prep, but items like fish may need to be cooked (even if pre-marinated options are available). Additionally, you'll need to prepare fresh rice unless you choose to reheat leftover rice, which can often turn out dry and unappetizing. Traditional miso soup in a Japanese breakfast may also include ingredients like tofu or vegetables, adding another layer of preparation if you want to stay true to the classic style. However, if you have extras like tofu, chopped radishes, scallions, or shredded chicken on hand, they can easily enhance the soup without requiring additional prep time.
Thus, this "whatever's available" approach offers greater flexibility. It results in a Japanese-inspired breakfast without the extensive preparation.
Choosing your miso soup
There is a diverse range of brands and varieties of miso and miso soup available, extending beyond the basic distinction between strong red miso and milder white miso. At its core, miso soup consists of miso, hot water, and dashi stock (a seaweed broth that works wonderfully as a cooking liquid for rice). You can start with a container of miso paste and some dashi, but you'll need to combine the ingredients yourself.
A more convenient option is to opt for instant miso soups, which can also enhance your potato chip dip. These are available in either paste or powder form and only require the addition of water. This way, you won't have to measure out miso and stock, and these instant soups often come with extras like tofu or seaweed.
One popular choice is Asage brand instant miso, which can be found online or at Japanese and Asian grocery stores. However, there are many brands and flavors to explore, so consider trying different options that suit your preferences, including add-ins like mushrooms or even dried clams. If you have dietary restrictions, you might want to look for low-sodium miso (as miso soup can be quite salty) or gluten-free varieties, since some soups may contain barley or other gluten-containing grains.
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