Tonjiru is a hearty and nutritious Japanese soup packed with pork, vegetables, and root vegetables, simmered in dashi and seasoned with miso.

Ingredients (for 4 servings)

• 7 oz (200g) pork belly, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 2 potatoes, peeled and cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1/2 daikon radish, peeled and cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1 onion, peeled and cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1 carrot, peeled and cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1/2 burdock root, peeled and cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1/2 sheet konjac, thinly sliced and parboiled
• 1 sheet aburaage (fried tofu pouch), drained and cut into thin strips
• 4 cups dashi broth
• 4 tablespoons miso paste
• 2 tablespoons sake
• 2 tablespoons mirin (Japanese sweet rice wine)
• ½ teaspoon salt
• Shichimi togarashi (Japanese seven-spice chili pepper mix), to taste

Instructions

1. Cut the pork belly into bite-sized pieces. Peel and cut the potatoes, daikon radish, onion, carrot, and burdock root into bite-sized pieces. Thinly slice the konjac, parboil it in hot water, and drain. Drain and cut the aburaage into thin strips.
2. Heat oil in a large pot and stir-fry the pork belly until browned.
3. Add the onion and cook until translucent.
4. Add the potatoes, daikon radish, carrot, burdock root, and konjac to the pot and stir-fry for a few minutes.
5. Pour in the dashi broth, sake, and mirin, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until the vegetables are tender.
6. Dissolve the miso paste in a small bowl with a ladleful of hot broth, then stir it back into the pot. Season with salt to taste.
7. Ladle the soup into bowls and sprinkle with shichimi togarashi, if desired.

Tips

• Feel free to substitute your favorite vegetables for the ones listed.
• Use your preferred type of miso paste.
• Omit shichimi togarashi if you don’t like spicy food.

Variations

• Replace pork belly with chicken, salmon, or other protein.
• Add tofu or mushrooms for extra flavor and texture.
• Enjoy Tonjiru as a noodle soup or porridge by adding udon noodles or cooked rice.

Health and beauty benefits

Tonjiru offers numerous health and beauty benefits. Firstly, pork is high in protein and rich in B vitamins, which promote energy metabolism, aid in fatigue recovery, and help maintain healthy skin. Additionally, tonjiru contains a variety of vegetables like daikon radish, carrots, and burdock root, which are rich in dietary fiber, vitamins, and minerals. These nutrients improve digestive function, enhance gut health, and contribute to better skin. Moreover, the warm soup helps to warm the body, promote blood circulation, and improve metabolism.