Looking for a healthy Japanese soup recipe that’s quick, light, and bursting with umami? This Japanese Chicken & Vegetable Clear Soup with Ninben Shiro Dashi is made using the authentic Ninben Shiro Dashi 500 g – a concentrated Japanese soup base that transforms simple ingredients into a restaurant-quality dish in under 30 minutes.
Whether you need a light starter, a comforting soup course, or a nourishing weeknight dinner, this recipe with Ninben Shiro Dashi is a winner. It includes delicious elements like chicken, vegetables, and the famous Ninben Shiro Dashi for a clear soup packed with flavour.
What is Ninben Shiro Dashi?
Shiro dashi is a light-coloured Japanese soup base made from dashi stock (kombu and bonito), soy sauce, and mirin. Unlike darker broths, it doesn’t overpower or darken your dishes – making it ideal for clear soups, simmered vegetables, and noodle recipes like Japanese Chicken & Vegetable Clear Soup with Ninben Shiro Dashi.
Ninben, a heritage Japanese brand with over 300 years of expertise, is famous for producing shiro dashi with a clean, balanced umami flavour. Just a splash of Ninben Shiro Dashi 500 g
saves hours of stock-making.
The History of Japanese Clear Soup – and Why Ninben Shiro Dashi Matters
Clear soups, known as osuimono, have been part of Japanese dining for over a thousand years. Originating in the Heian period (794–1185), they were created to highlight the natural taste of seasonal ingredients rather than overwhelm them. Traditionally served in kaiseki (multi-course banquets) and formal tea ceremonies, osuimono embodies the Japanese principle of simplicity and elegance.
At the heart of every clear soup is dashi – the light yet flavour-rich stock made from kombu (kelp) and katsuobushi (bonito flakes). This combination forms the backbone of Japanese cuisine, celebrated for its clean umami depth. Chefs would carefully prepare dashi daily, then use it to create soups with proteins like chicken and vegetables, often turning them into a Japanese Chicken & Vegetable Clear Soup with Ninben Shiro Dashi.
Ninben’s Place in This Tradition
Founded in 1699 in Tokyo, Ninben is one of Japan’s oldest and most respected producers of dashi. For over 300 years, the brand has perfected the art of balancing umami, sweetness, and clarity in its soup bases.
Today, Ninben Shiro Dashi 500g brings this centuries-old culinary heritage into your home. By using shiro dashi, you’re not just saving time — you’re carrying forward a tradition that has shaped Japanese cuisine for generations. With just a splash of Ninben Shiro Dashi, you can recreate the same refined Japanese Chicken & Vegetable Clear Soup with Ninben Shiro Dashi once served to emperors and tea masters — now made accessible for modern kitchens worldwide.
Bring Centuries of Flavour Into Your Kitchen
For over 300 years, Japanese chefs and home cooks have relied on dashi to create soups that are light, elegant, and deeply satisfying. With Ninben Shiro Dashi 500g, you can enjoy that same tradition without the hours of preparation. This versatile soup base lets you:
- Make authentic Japanese clear soups in minutes
- Create noodle broths full of umami depth
- Simmer vegetables, tofu, or fish with ease
- Add a touch of Japanese flavour to everyday dishes
Ready to taste the difference?
Shop Ninben Shiro Dashi at Nicol Retailer and bring a piece of Japanese food heritage to your table today.
Japanese Chicken & Vegetable Clear Soup with Ninben Shiro Dashi
Ingredients
- 300 g chicken breast (skinless, boneless), thinly sliced
- 1 medium carrot, cut into thin half-moons
- 200g daikon radish (about 200 g), peeled and thinly sliced or cut into matchsticks
- 4-5 shiitake mushrooms, sliced (fresh, or rehydrated if dried)
- A handful of baby spinach or mizuna leaves
- 2 spring onions, finely sliced (green and white parts)
- 1 ltr water
- 50 ml Ninben Shiro Dashi (adjust per dilution instructions on bottle)
- Optional garnish: sliver of yuzu peel or a little lemon zest for brightness
Instructions
Prepare the broth
- In a medium saucepan, bring 1 litre of water to a gentle simmer. Stir in the Ninben Shiro Dashi and taste — it should be delicate and balanced. Adjust with a little extra water if needed.
Cook the vegetables
- Add the carrot, daikon, and shiitake mushrooms. Simmer gently for 5–7 minutes until just tender.
Add the chicken
- Slide in the chicken slices and simmer for 3–4 minutes, or until fully cooked. Keep the heat gentle to maintain a clear broth.
Finish with greens
- Stir through the spinach or mizuna until just wilted.
Serve
- Ladle into bowls, top with spring onions, and garnish with yuzu peel or lemon zest for freshness. Enjoy steaming hot.
Notes
Nutrition
Serving Suggestions
This Japanese Chicken & Vegetable Clear Soup with Ninben Shiro Dashi is light, versatile, and pairs beautifully with a variety of Japanese and fusion dishes. Here are some ways to enjoy it:
With Rice -Serve alongside steamed Japanese short-grain rice for a traditional meal. Pair with onigiri (rice balls) filled with salmon, tuna, or pickled plum for a light lunch.
With Noodles – Add udon noodles for a heartier, comforting bowl. Try somen noodles in summer for a refreshing, chilled version. Use soba noodles for a buckwheat twist that’s rich in fibre.
Vegetarian & Vegan Options – Replace chicken with silken or firm tofu for a protein-rich, meat-free soup. Increase the amount of mushrooms (shiitake, enoki, or shimeji) for a deeper umami flavour. Add wakame seaweed for extra nutrients and a traditional Japanese touch.
Seafood Twist – Swap the chicken for king prawns, scallops, or white fish fillets. Simmer gently until the seafood is just cooked for a delicate, light broth.
As Part of a Japanese Meal, pair with gyoza (Japanese dumplings) as a starter and follow with a rice or noodle dish like the Japanese Chicken & Vegetable Clear Soup with Ninben Shiro Dashi. Serve alongside a teriyaki chicken donburi for a balanced dinner. Include as part of a multi-course Japanese-inspired meal with miso soup, sashimi, and tempura.