Tonjiru is a soup made with pork and miso which is evident in it’s name Ton (pork) and jiru (soup). Sometimes it is also called buta (pig) jiru (soup). It usually has gobo and other vegetables but the choice in vegetables is a personal choice. This soup first started to appear sometime during the Meiji Period (1868-1912). Before the Meiji Period, Japanese people were not accustomed to eating pork.
It’s a very comforting soup. It’s popular at shrines during Hatsumoude (First visit to a shrine, usually the first few days of January). It’s served at the food stands in and around the shrines. Tonjiru, although in the class of miso soups, is somehow a little special. It’s not a special occasion soup like osumashi (clear fish broth) but I associate it as being the type of soup that warms your heart and soul.
Ingredients
80-100 grams of thinly sliced pork
5 inches of gobo cut into oblique cuts
2 tablespoons to 2 tbsp +1tsp of miso
2 cups of dashijiru but this isn’t necessary. You can use just water since the pork will add flavor.
micro greens for garnish (optional)
Directions
1) Cut the gobo into small oblique slices and soak in water.
2) Cook the gobo for 7-10 minutes. You’ll know they are done when they are bendy.
3) Slowly incorporate the miso and dissolve using chopsticks and a ladle.
4) Add the pork one slice at a time so it doesn’t clump up into a ball. The meat will cook quickly and get tough so turn off the heat immediately after it’s no longer pink.
5) Serve into bowls and top with micro greens.
Cut the gobo into small oblique slices and soak in water.
Use about 80-100 grams of thinly sliced pork.
Cook the gobo for 7-10 minutes, turn down the heat and add the miso.
Add the pork and turn off the stove immediately. Stir until there’s no pink.
Garnish with micro greens.
Naomi Kuwabara was born and raised in California but spent many summers in Japan growing up. She has spent time living in Hokkaido and Osaka, both meccas for Japanese cuisine. Her passion is cooking and sharing her experiences cooking Japanese food with others. Her blog Umamitopia is about her experiences cooking Japanese food. Her greatest inspirations are from her mother and grandmother. Her cooking adventures can be found at http://umamitopia.com.
