By Marie-Antoinette Issa.
Traditionally associated with soups, miso is now being used in a myriad of innovative dishes.
According to Miso Tasty Founder Bonnie Chung: "Just like matcha, miso is a traditional Japanese ingredient that is being re-imagined for modern times. It comes in hundreds of varieties and has many applications. Its flavours can range in taste from sweet custard to dark, tangy coffee and soy sauce, making it incredibly versatile in various cuisines and dishes.”
This adaptability allows miso to enhance both savoury and sweet recipes, giving them an umami-rich depth of flavour that’s hard to match.
Balancing miso’s unique flavour
Miso's salty and umami notes can be intense, especially in delicate recipes. Bonnie shares: "Miso works exceptionally well with sweetness, acidity and spice. Adding ingredients like maple syrup, honey, fresh lemon or rice vinegar can balance miso's tangy nature.”
For desserts, she suggests pairing miso with cocoa, caramel or bananas. "A teaspoon of miso in your dessert can add remarkable depth and flavour, but be careful not to overdo it - less is more,” she advises.
Secret ingredient magic
One of Bonnie’s favourite ways of using miso is as a ‘Secret Ingredient’. By incorporating miso at a low level in non-traditional recipes, you can enhance the flavours of your dishes without overpowering them.
"For example, adding a small amount of miso to tomato-based sauces or creamy dishes makes the flavours richer and more complex,” Bonnie explains. This subtle addition can make ingredients like cheese and tomatoes taste more robust and rounded without the dish tasting overtly of miso.
Surprising sweet pairings
While miso is commonly used in savoury dishes, it also shines in sweet recipes. Bonnie highlights: "Miso pairs fantastically with chocolate and is especially great in banana bread. It adds a sweet caramel flavour and intensifies the ripe taste of bananas.”
If you enjoy salted caramel, try incorporating miso into ice creams, cakes or cookies for a unique twist. "Miso caramel is a delightful surprise for those who love complex, layered flavours,” she adds.
Five unexpected miso recipes
To inspire your culinary adventures and celebrate World Miso Day today, Bonnie shares her top five unexpected recipes where miso plays a starring role.
Mac and cheese:
Adding a spoonful of miso to the cheese sauce transforms it into a luxurious, umami-rich dish. "It tastes like you’ve used the most expensive 48-month-aged Parmesan, even if you just used what’s in your fridge,” Bonnie notes. This simple addition enhances the cheese’s depth and complexity.
Incorporate a spoonful of miso into your tomato sauce for a Bolognese that tastes like it’s been simmering for hours. "Miso gives the sauce a velvety texture and makes the meat and tomatoes taste heartier and richer,” Bonnie says. The miso binds with the amino acids in the dish, creating a savoury richness.
Adding miso to both the tomato and white sauces in your lasagna brings a new level of umami flavour. "The combination of multiple layers of miso-enhanced sauces creates an outrageously delicious dish,” Bonnie explains. This technique also works well with pizza bases.
Miso can also enhance cocktails, such as the Bloody Mary. "A touch of miso smooths out the drink and adds a rich, luxurious tomato flavour,” Bonnie says. It also gives the cocktail a richer mouth-feel and depth that’s unexpected but delightful.
For chocolate lovers, add a small spoon of miso to brownie batter to enhance the deep chocolate flavour. "The miso boosts the cocoa’s richness and adds a subtle salty caramel note,” Bonnie explains. It also contributes to a fudgier texture, making the dessert taste more sophisticated and less sweet.
