Tonyuu Zosui (Japanese Soy Milk Rice Soup)

Zosui is a nourishing Japanese rice soup cooked in dashi broth with vegetables and tofu. Ready in under 20 minutes, this tonyuu zosui is hearty, satisfying and the perfect comfort meal for the cooler season. (Vegan + Gluten Free)

Say hellooooo to this cold weather essential soup that will warm you right up and keep you feelin’ well & cozy.

Zosui, or Japanese rice soup is something my mom would make for my sisters and I anytime we were sick or feeling unwell. I kid you not, our colds and fevers never lasts for more than a day or two after having copious amounts of this.

What is Zosui (雑炊)?

Zōsui (雑炊) is a rice soup made from pre-cooked rice and a soup base flavoured with dashi and soy sauce. This dish is often made after hot pot (nabe) with the left over soup. Made with easy to digest ingredients, it’s known as a healing or recovery soup which is ideal for when feeling sick or to cure hangovers.

Whats the difference between Zosui and Ojiya?

I think, Ojiya (rice based soup) is more well known outside of Japan. It’s known as the Japanese version of congee or jook where the rice is cooked in broth and almost resembles a thick soup. While both zosui and ojiya both simmer rice in dashi broth, there are subtle differences between the two:

Zosui (雑炊)

• Dashi broth is flavoured only with soy sauce.
• Day old or frozen rice is rinsed first to remove excess starch.
• Cooked for a short period of time to prevent the rice from losing its shape.

Ojiya (おじや)

• Dashi broth is seasoned with soy sauce or miso paste. The flavour is much lighter and always uses water or a clear broth.
• Rice is not rinsed since we want that thick-porridge consistency.
• Cooked for a longer period of time purposely so the rice is softer and the grains of rice isn’t visible.

Ingredients & Variations

Zosui is comprised of four components:

• Dashi broth: You can use leftover hot pot broth, homemade dashi (recipe coming soon), dashi packets or dashi granules. All these options are quick and easy to make. Be sure to sure to use kombu or shiitake dashi to keep it vegan. I used soy milk for a creamier zosui but you can also use water for a lighter broth.
• Cooked rice: I like to use short grain Japanese rice but medium grain can also be used. You can use frozen rice, rice cooked from the night before or fresh rice.
• Vegetables: Shiitake mushrooms and green onions are typically added for flavour. Plus, any vegetables you have on hand.
• Protein: Any protein of your choice! Typically ground meats, fish and egg is used but to keep it vegan use tofu or natto. There are so many varieties of tofu so you can switch it up, too! Soft tofu, aburaage, smoked tofu… etc. Here, I’m using yuba which is dried bean curd and it kind of mimics cooked eggs.

This rice porridge is super customizable and a great way to use left over vegetables at the end of the week!

How to Make Zosui

This Japanese Rice Soup is incredibly easy to make and takes less than 15 minutes from start to finish:

1. Dashi broth: Add soy milk (or water), kombu dashi and soy sauce to a pot and stir until simmering.
2. Cook: Add the rice, mushrooms, yuba, green onions and spinach. Stir everything until well combined. Turn off the heat, cover and let it sit for 5-10 minutes to let the rice soak up the broth.
3. Serve: Transfer to a donabe bowl (clay pot with a lid) and serve with kimchi, green onions, sesame seeds, sesame oil and any other toppings you like.

This Japanese rice soup isn’t just tummy-warming and big on flavour, but it’s also packed with nutrition which is perfect for the colder season. It’s a great healthy meal for when you’re feeling under the weather, recovering from a cold or for when you just want something quick and easy yet still delicious and hearty. I hope you try and love this cozy-wondersoup as much as we do! ♡

More delicious Japanese rice recipes:

• Kabocha Brown Rice Soup
• Vegan Takikomi Gohan
• Easy Yaki Onigiri
• Japanese Curry Fried Rice

If you recreate this Japanese Soy Milk Rice Soup recipe let me know how you liked it by leaving a comment and rating below or by tagging me on Instagram @Okonomikitchen, I love seeing all of your tasty recreations!
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