Ebi Miso Soup (えびみそ汁)

Most miso soup starts with a clear dashi broth. One regional version, however, breaks that rule completely. People in Kagawa make ebi miso soup, a rich shrimp soup. So what is ebi miso soup in Kagawa? It is a creamy miso soup built on whole small shrimp. Cooks grind the shrimp right into the broth. The result is deep, sweet, and packed with umami. Ebi miso soup えびみそ汁 from Kagawa stays a beloved local treasure. Let me introduce this unusual bowl. TOCWhat Is Ebi Miso Soup? Ebi miso soup is a Japanese shrimp miso soup from Kagawa. The name simply means “shrimp miso soup.” Unlike a normal bowl, it puts shrimp at the center. Cooks use small shiba-ebi shrimp from the Seto Inland Sea. They grind the whole shrimp, shells and all, into the soup. So the broth turns rich, savory, and slightly creamy. This Sanuki shrimp miso soup also uses a clever base. Instead of plain water, cooks use rice-rinsing water. The Japanese call this kome no togijiru. That starchy liquid gives the soup a smooth, gentle body. White miso then adds a soft, sweet depth. For more on the basics, see our complete guide to miso soup. The Taste and Features of Ebi Miso Soup What does this shrimp miso soup taste like? The f...