A Quick and Easy Soup {Miso Soup With Soba Noodles or Mung Bean Noodles}

I little while ago, I posted a recipe for vegetarian dashi and miso soup, and mentioned that alternative misos were available (miso is typically made from soybeans), including an azuki bean miso.  I found a jar of azuki bean miso at Whole Foods the other day and picked it up to try. 
Just A Few Simple Ingredients Are All You Need To Make This Soothing Noodle SoupAzuki bean miso is dark in color, but only aged for one year, so it's considered a young miso, not too pungent. I had also found a package of green tea soba noodles at an Asian market and thought it would be interesting to try.
I found these Green Tea Soba Noodles at a local Asian grocery store.

With a pot of dashi, some miso, soba noodles, shitake mushrooms and fresh spinach, I prepared a nice bowl of hot noodle soup for lunch, perfect for a chilly day.  Not only was the bowl of soup noodles amazingly comforting, but was also so simple to make and clean tasting.

Miso Soup with Soba Noodles

This soup is so simple and versatile. Feel free to use whatever soba noodles, miso, mushrooms and vegetables you have on hand.

2 bunches green tea soba noodles 

3 cups dashi

3 tablespoons azuki bean miso

4 shitake mushrooms

2 large handfuls of fresh spinach

Cook green tea soba noodles until just done, about 6-7 minutes (read the label). Drain and set aside. Meanwhile, heat dashi in a medium saucepan. Stir in miso and cook 1 minute. Add mushrooms and cook 1 minute. Add spinach and stir until just wilted.

To serve, place some noodles in each bowl. Top with mushrooms and spinach. Ladle soup on top.

Variation: Miso Soup with Mung Bean Noodles
Miso Soup with Mung Bean Noodles, Fresh Shitake Mushrooms and Baby Bok ChoyMung Bean Noodles are also called Cellophane, Bean Thread or Glass Noodles

For a slight variation, try mung bean noodles (also known as cellophane noodles, bean thread noodles, or glass noodles) in place of soba noodles. 
After soaking, Mung Bean Noodles only take a few minutes to cook.

To prepare Mung Bean Noodles, simply soak mung bean noodles in hot water for 20 minutes. Add noodles to broth along with mushrooms, and cook a few minutes. Do not overcook, or they will become too soft.

Vegetable Soba Noodle Soup, Simply Life

Vegetarian Japanese Soba Noodle Soup, Chef In You

Asian Soup for Two, ecosalon