Japanese Clear Soup
by Sommer Collier — last updated on Nov 17, 2025 Japanese Clear Soup Recipe: This classic Hibachi restaurant favorite is a light and healthy soup to soothe the soul.
Sommer’s Recipe Notes
That Japanese soup…
No, not Miso Soup. The one they serve at Hibachi restaurants before the chef comes out. On most Hibachi restaurant menus in the United States, this elusive soup is called Clear Soup.
However, it is also known as Miyabi Soup, Japanese Onion Soup, and even Hibachi Soup.
Why We Love Japanese Clear Soup
We feel the very best homemade Japanese Onion Soup is made with 2 parts chicken broth, 1 part beef broth, and extra water to allow for evaporation.
Although the color is a bit darker than some restaurant clear soups, it can be made in about an hour and has an intense meaty flavor.
It should be mentioned that most restaurants make soups like this several days in advance, so the ingredients have a longer time to mix and mingle. That’s why they taste richer than homemade versions.
However, you too can make your soup several days in advance, and it will taste just like it does at your favorite Hibachi restaurant.
Clear Soup is a fun way to bring your favorite restaurant flavors home. This light lean soup is so robust and flavorful, that you’ll want to make it again and again. It might even give you the confidence to take on the onion volcano!
Clear Soup
This simple broth-based soup is primarily made of meat broths and vegetables simmered together over a long period to create a deep, rich flavor.
The vegetables are then removed so the soup is clear, and garnishes like scallions and thinly sliced mushrooms are added to the top.
However, Japanese Clear Soup can vary in color, clarity, and even ingredients. For instance, if you use all chicken broth your clear soup will have a lighter flavor and clearer appearance. Yet it will lack in-depth compared to versions that contain some beef broth.
Whereas, if you use beef broth, depending on the brand you buy, your clear soup may not seem very light and clear at all. Some versions even skip the chicken and beef broth altogether and use mushroom broth.
Ingredients You Need
- Sesame Oil – adds just a slight nutty flavor
- Chicken Broth & Beef Broth – a combo of both adds extra flavor
- Water – the rest of the liquid is just water
- Onion – sweet onion works best for a light flavor
- Garlic – for aroma
- Carrots – added veggies and flavor
- Ginger – this adds a lot of flavor that is essential to this clear soup!
- Scallions – or green onions, sliced thin for garnish
- Button Mushrooms – sliced thin
- Salt – to taste
How to Make Clear Soup
Place a large 8-quart stock pot over medium-high heat. Add the oil and place the onion, garlic, carrots, and ginger in the pot. Sear the veggies on all sides to caramelize, making sure not to burn the garlic.
Pour in the chicken broth, beef broth, and water. Bring to a boil. Lower the heat to a low boil and simmer for at least one hour.
Use a skimmer to remove the vegetables from the broth. Taste, then salt as needed.
To serve: ladle hot broth into bowls and sprinkle with chopped scallion and sliced mushrooms over the top. Enjoy!
Get the Full (Printable) Japanese Clear Soup Recipe with Ingredient Proportions, Detailed Instructions, and a Video Turtorial Below!
Serving Suggestions
This Hibachi clear soup is very light, so I recommend serving it as an appetizer or starter before a larger meal. Serve your clear soup with some of my absolute favorites, like:
Or, simply serve on its own for when you need to warm up or you are feeling under the weather!
Frequently Asked Questions
While Japanese clear soup and miso soup are both light in color and flavor, the main difference is the addition of miso. Japanese clear soup does not have any miso in it, and gets its flavor from simmering broth with onions and veggies. Miso soup is also a broth, but has the addition of miso, which adds a cloudy look to it. They are both topped with mushrooms and scallions, and sometimes little chunks of tofu!
Yes! Clear soup is simple and doesn’t require many ingredients. It is low in fat, carbs, and calories!
Store any leftover clear soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Reheat in the microwave or in a sauce pot! You can also freeze it in a zip bag for later!
Looking for More Healthy Asian Soup Recipes?
Japanese Clear Soup Recipe
Video
Ingredients
- 2 teaspoons sesame oil (or peanut oil)
- 8 cups chicken broth
- 4 cups beef broth
- 4 cups water
- 1 large sweet onion, peeled and cut into wedges
- 6 cloves garlic, peeled and smashed
- 2 large carrots, cut into chunks
- 2 inch piece fresh ginger, sliced
- 4 whole scallions, chopped
- 10 button mushrooms, sliced thin
- salt
Instructions
- Place a large 8-quart stock pot over medium-high heat. Add the oil and place the onion, garlic, carrots, and ginger in the pot. Sear the veggies on all sides to caramelize, making sure not to burn the garlic.
- Pour in the chicken broth, beef broth, and water. Bring to a boil. Lower the heat to a low boil and simmer for at least one hour.
- Use a skimmer to remove the vegetables from the broth. Taste, then salt as needed.
- To serve: ladle hot broth into bowls and sprinkle chopped scallion and sliced mushrooms over the top.
Notes
Nutrition
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I haven’t made this yet but got all the ingredients yesterday. My question is can this soup be frozen? Thanks!
Hi April,
Yes, you can freeze it in an airtight container for 3-6 months. Happy Cooking! :)
Do you leave the vegetables in if you make it in advance?
Hi Susan,
Yes, if making ahead, I would leave the veggies in the broth to intensify the flavor. Then remove them when you rewarm it.
Really easy and delicious!! Will definitely be making this again!! Thanks for the recipe :)
Is possible to skip the ginger?
Hi Katherine,
Yes, you can omit the ginger if you like. :)
I made this recipe but just added extra mushrooms. Delicious!
How thick is 2 inch piece of ginger… or do you have a recommended weight for a food scale? I may slightly add more Or less … but this will give me the starting point
Thanks,
Josiah
Hi Josiah!
I usually find a piece that is about 1 1/2 inches wide.
What do you do with the vegetables after?
Hi Elizabeth,
You can just discard them.
I am much too cheap to discard the veggies. you can freeze them and use them in a curry!
Can I add dashi or miso for more or a different flavor? Has anyone tried either? I had a excellent vegetable soup at a Thai restaurant and I thought I tasted miso or dashi. I’m making it know and it smells delish! I’m going to cook 1.5 hrs.
Hi Karla,
We actually have a miso soup recipe if you are interested: https://www.aspicyperspective.com/5-ingredient-5-minute-miso-soup/
Made this a couple of times now. My wife and I both love, love, love this. So easy to make, tastes great, and so effective helping us curb our appetites having a bowl before our evening meal.
When you say let it sit for a day….do you mean leave the veggies in the broth?
My question as well
Hi Leslie,
Yes, the longer they have to mix and mingle, the better the flavor. :)
The soup is called Sui Mono 😊
Can I use this soup as a base for Won Ton soup? Do you have a Won Ton soup recipe?
Hi Maude,
Yes, you can use this as a base for wonton soup. We do not (yet) have a won ton soup recipe posted.