Not satisfied with a simple Japanese miso soup? Why not try the hearty and substantial Tonjiru instead? It promises a new perspective on Japanese miso soup!
Tonjiru, a type of miso soup, is renowned for its rich flavor, courtesy of its diverse ingredients. The key player in Tonjiru is sliced pork, as indicated by the dish's name – 'Ton (豚)' means 'pork' in English. Optimal for Tonjiru is pork belly, imparting delicious richness and savory umami flavor.
In addition to pork, various vegetables, particularly root vegetables like carrots and burdock root, give Tonjiru distinct flavors. Burdock root, in particular, enhances the overall balance of taste and flavor. One bowl of Tonjiru and rice might be more satisfying than a simple miso soup and rice.
While you can find Tonjiru in some restaurants, it's often a homemade dish with families having their preferences for ingredients. In today's recipe, we will provide a basic Tonjiru recipe using pork, Japanese radish, carrot, burdock root, onion, konjac, and Japanese leek. Some variations include tofu, taro, potato, sweet potato, cabbage, shiitake mushroom, Shimeji mushroom, etc. To add spice, grated ginger is sometimes used as an accent.
Tonjiru is a versatile recipe that helps avoid vegetable wastage, allowing the use of leftover vegetables, excluding those with a strong flavor like celery and green pepper.
The cooking method also plays an important role in Tonjiru’s flavor. Ingredients are usually sautéed first before adding dashi, which helps bring out natural sweetness and umami, especially from the pork and root vegetables. Miso is added toward the end of cooking to preserve its aroma and gentle flavor, creating a broth that feels rich and comforting without being heavy.
Moreover, the flavor and taste improve the day after preparation, so making Tonjiru in large quantities is a great idea.
Tonjiru is synonymous with winter for Japanese people, often served at community gatherings like rice cake pounding events and New Year's celebrations at shrines.
What makes Tonjiru especially comforting is how filling and nourishing it feels compared to regular miso soup. The combination of pork, root vegetables, and miso creates a hearty bowl that works almost like a complete meal. Each ingredient releases its flavor slowly as it simmers, resulting in a deep, well-rounded broth.
Because it’s so satisfying, Tonjiru is often enjoyed as a main dish rather than a side, especially on cold days when you want something warming, wholesome, and deeply comforting.
Love miso-based soups? You might also enjoy these comforting recipes: Mixed Miso Soup, Super Easy Vegan Miso Soup, or Red Miso Soup from Scratch.
Instructions
1) Gathering the Ingredients
2) Making the Dashi
Expert's Tip
3) Preparing the Tonjiru Ingredients
4) Stir-frying the Ingredients
5) Adding the Dashi + Miso and Simmering the Soup
6) Adding Additional Miso to the Tonjiru
7) Topping with Condiments
