Daikon Soup

Written by
Molly Watson
An award-winning food writer and cookbook author, Molly Watson has created more than 1,000 recipes focused on local, seasonal ingredients.
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Molly Watson
Updated 10/15/20
Daikon soup

Yagi-Studio / Getty Images
Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 15 mins
Total: 25 mins
Servings: 4 servings
Nutritional Guidelines (per serving)
85 Calories
4g Fat
4g Carbs
10g Protein
See Full Nutritional Guidelines Hide Full Nutritional Guidelines
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount per serving
Calories 85
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 4g 5%
Saturated Fat 1g 3%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 771mg 34%
Total Carbohydrate 4g 2%
Dietary Fiber 2g 5%
Protein 10g
Calcium 222mg 17%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

This simple soup is warming, light, and makes tasty use of those white daikon radishes that are so ample in colder months. I've always enjoyed daikon simply peeled and thinly sliced, but here its sharp flavor is mellowed and crisp texture is softened in the most lovely way.

Any dried mushrooms work here. Wood ear mushrooms or shiitake mushrooms are classic choices, but porcini or morels are lovely too. It's all about adding some color, earthy flavor, and texture.

Ingredients

  • 1 ounce dried mushrooms
  • 4 cups chicken broth (or vegetable broth, or dashi)
  • 1 large daikon radish
  • 1 stalk celery
  • 8 ounces tofu (silken)
  • Garnish: minced cilantro (and/or finely chopped green onions)

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

  2. Put the mushrooms in a small bowl or measuring cup and pour 1/2 cup boiling water over them. Let soak 15 minutes. Lift mushrooms out of the water, rubbing them clean of any grit as you do. Roughly chop the mushrooms and set aside. Reserve the soaking liquid.

  3. Meanwhile, bring the broth to a simmer. Peel and thinly slice the daikon and add to the broth. Trim and thinly slice the celery and add to broth. Cook until the vegetables are tender, about 5 minutes.

  4. Cut tofu into small cubes or thin slices.

  5. Add the tofu and the reserved mushrooms to the broth. Add reserved soaking liquid, being careful to leave any grit behind. Cook, simmering until everything is heated through, 2 to 3 minutes.

  6. Divide between 4 bowls and garnish with cilantro, if you like. Serve immediately.

  7. Enjoy!