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  • 10 Best Miso Soups in the UK | Itsu Clearspring Hikari and More 1
  • 10 Best Miso Soups in the UK | Itsu Clearspring Hikari and More 2
  • 10 Best Miso Soups in the UK | Itsu Clearspring Hikari and More 3
  • 10 Best Miso Soups in the UK | Itsu Clearspring Hikari and More 4
  • 10 Best Miso Soups in the UK | Itsu Clearspring Hikari and More 5

10 Best Miso Soups in the UK | Itsu Clearspring Hikari and More

There's something incredibly comforting about miso soup. Wholesome, healthy and low in calories, it's good for you as well as being tasty! You can even purchase instant sachets of powder or paste — just mix with hot water to make soup in minutes, or add to noodle dishes like ramen for an intense umami flavour.


Thankfully, there are many amazing instant miso soups available in the UK, from brands such as Clearspring, Hikari and Itsu. You can even find vegetarian options and those with added ingredients like tofu, mushrooms and sea vegetables at online retailers like Amazon, Tesco, Waitrose and Japan Centre. It's never been easier to enjoy a bowl of miso soup in a jiffy!

Last updated 02/02/2025

Quick List - Top Miso Soups

1

Hikari

Enjuku Instant Miso Soup
Enjuku Instant Miso Soup

An All-Natural, Authentic Miso Soup

2

Marukome

Quick Serve Instant Miso Soup
Quick Serve Instant Miso Soup

Speedy Seaweed Soup in a Sachet

3

Marukome

Miso Soup, 4 Flavours
Miso Soup, 4 Flavours

A Mega-Value Multipack of Miso

4

Itsu

Miso'Easy Traditional
Miso'Easy Traditional

A Versatile Option for Vegans, Vegetarians and Coeliacs

5

Clearspring

Organic Instant White Miso Soup
Organic Instant White Miso Soup

Organic and Freeze-Dried for Freshness

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Table of Contents

How to Choose a Miso Soup in the UK ― Buying Guide

While many of us love miso soup, it can be a bit confusing deciding which instant packet to buy. Luckily, help is at hand as we've compiled a list of things to look out for when making your selection.

1

Decide on the Most Convenient Format — Powders Have Longer Use-by Dates but Pastes Taste Better

Decide on the Most Convenient Format — Powders Have Longer Use-by Dates but Pastes Taste Better

Instant miso soup can be mixed with hot water, for an easy bowl of yumminess that's ready in minutes. It's usually available either as a packet of powdered ingredients or as paste in a sachet.


Powdered miso soups typically have longer use-by dates than their paste counterparts, due to the lack of moisture, so they're ideal for keeping in your kitchen cupboard. They're also more convenient to take with you on the go to work or university if you want to get a quick hit of miso goodness at lunchtime.


Packets of instant miso soup made from paste, on the other hand, may need to be mixed with another sachet. This is because they contain moisture and so dry ingredients like tofu or wakame will be stored separately. Pastes tend to taste better than powdered versions though as they're fresher and create a smoother soup.

2

Each Type of Miso Has a Different Flavour — White and Yellow Varieties Are Milder Than Red or Brown

There are several types of miso paste available, each of which has a different taste profile. It all depends on whether you prefer a mellow flavour or something richer, so we'll explain the varieties below.

For a Subtle-Tasting Soup, Try White or Yellow Miso

For a Subtle-Tasting Soup, Try White or Yellow Miso

If you’re new to the world of miso or would simply prefer a milder-tasting soup to go with your sushi, then we recommend trying white or yellow miso. Both are light and sweet, although yellow miso (sometimes called Shinshu) has a slightly more tart flavour.


Since these are very popular types of miso in both Japan and the UK, they're very easy to get hold of online.

Red and Brown Rice Miso Have a Stronger Savoury Flavour

Red and Brown Rice Miso Have a Stronger Savoury Flavour

Red and brown miso offer more robust flavours due to having a longer fermentation period. If you want a soup with a "meatier", more savoury taste then these are the varieties for you! 


Although these two types of miso are more difficult to get hold of in an instant packet than white miso, we'd say it’s worth the extra effort for the delicious results. 

3

Look for Nutritious Added Ingredients Such as Tofu and Vegetables

Look for Nutritious Added Ingredients Such as Tofu and Vegetables

There are many variations on miso soup, so you’ll find that in addition to the different types of miso it can be made with, some brands include extra ingredients in their recipe. These not only improve the flavour, but they offer nutritious benefits too!


Tofu, vegetables and wakame seaweed are probably the most popular additions, as they're incredibly nourishing. While tofu provides protein, vegetables are packed with fibre and seaweed contains key nutrients like iodine, manganese and calcium.

4

If You’re Vegetarian or Vegan, Check That the Ingredients List Is Suitable

If You’re Vegetarian or Vegan, Check That the Ingredients List Is Suitable

The base ingredient of traditional Japanese miso soup is usually bonito fish stock, and some recipes also include mackerel flakes, dried sardines or sea bream. This means that most instant options produced in Japan are unsuitable for vegans and vegetarians.


Luckily, many of the instant miso soups made by UK brands are available in vegetarian and vegan-friendly varieties. They use seaweed or shiitake mushroom-based stock instead, which still gives you that delicious umami flavour!

Was the Buying Guide helpful?

10 Best Miso Soups in the UK

Instant miso soup makes a great pantry staple for a speedy fix of Japanese cuisine, whether as a side dish or a meal in its own right. To help you decide which one to buy, we've rounded up the best options to order online today!
Popularity
Products
Image
Click to purchase
Key features
1

Hikari

Enjuku Instant Miso Soup

Hikari Enjuku Instant Miso Soup 1

An All-Natural, Authentic Miso Soup

2

Marukome

Quick Serve Instant Miso Soup

Marukome Quick Serve Instant Miso Soup  1

Speedy Seaweed Soup in a Sachet

3

Marukome

Miso Soup, 4 Flavours

Marukome Miso Soup, 4 Flavours 1

A Mega-Value Multipack of Miso

4

Itsu

Miso'Easy Traditional

Itsu Miso'Easy Traditional 1

A Versatile Option for Vegans, Vegetarians and Coeliacs

5

Clearspring

Organic Instant White Miso Soup

Clearspring Organic Instant White Miso Soup 1

Organic and Freeze-Dried for Freshness

6

Hanamaruki

Instant Aka Miso Soup

Hanamaruki Instant Aka Miso Soup 1

Red Miso Powder That’s Wonderfully Savoury

7

Clearspring

Organic Brown Rice Miso Soup Paste

Clearspring Organic Brown Rice Miso Soup Paste 1

A Tasty, Brown Rice-Based Soup

8

Yutaka

Mellow Yellow Miso Soup Paste

Yutaka Mellow Yellow Miso Soup Paste 1

Mild, With MSG-Free Ingredients

9

Miso Tasty

Sweetcorn Miso Soup

Miso Tasty Sweetcorn Miso Soup 1

Slightly Spicy Yet Deliciously Different

10

Hikari

Reduced Salt Instant Miso Soup

Hikari Reduced Salt Instant Miso Soup 1

A Healthy, Low-Salt Recipe

If you don't see the product you're looking for, you can request that it be listed.
No.1

Hikari
Enjuku Instant Miso Soup

Enjuku Instant Miso Soup 1
Source:amazon.co.uk
Reference price
£3.43
High Mid
Reference price
£3.43
High Mid

An All-Natural, Authentic Miso Soup

Hikari is a leading brand in the world of Japanese convenience cuisine, so it's no surprise that we've chosen one of their products to take the number 1 spot! Their instant miso soup packets are all-natural, as they don't contain any GMO ingredients or MSG. Plus, in order to retain the enzymes of the miso, the sachets are manufactured using a special process that doesn't involve heat treatment


The result? A more "enjuku" (mature), full-bodied taste. To top it all off, separate sachets of wakame seaweed garnish are included for extra deliciousness. Authentic flavour, easy to make and supremely satisfying — you can see why this is our favourite miso option around!

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No.2

Marukome
Quick Serve Instant Miso Soup

Reference price
£1.99
Low Mid
Reference price
£1.99
Low Mid

Speedy Seaweed Soup in a Sachet

Marukome's "quick-serve" instant soup combines miso paste and dried wakame seaweed all in one handy sachet. Whether you want to take it with you to work for a speedy lunch or just enjoy it at home on a cold evening, this is a great product to have around when the urge for savoury broth hits!


12 individual servings for under £2 is an absolute bargain, and the recipe delivers authentic flavour from the bonito extract and wakame seaweed. A cost-effective choice that's a definite kitchen cupboard staple for miso newcomers and seasoned slurpers alike!

No.3

Marukome
Miso Soup, 4 Flavours

Miso Soup, 4 Flavours 1
Source:amazon.co.uk
Reference price
£10.98
High
Reference price
£10.98
High

A Mega-Value Multipack of Miso

Marukome is one of the top miso manufacturers in Japan, and their variety pack of restaurant-style instant soup comes at a very reasonable price. Four different flavours (wakame seaweed, green onion and two different tofu options) are included, so you can try them all out and see which one is your favourite.


Perfect for larger households or those who just can't get enough of miso, the massive quantity should last you a while. If you’re looking for variety as well as convenience, these freeze-dried soup sachets won't disappoint!

No.4

Itsu
Miso'Easy Traditional

Reference price
£2.00
Low Mid

A Versatile Option for Vegans, Vegetarians and Coeliacs

Popular restaurant chain Itsu presents "Miso'Easy" — simple sachets of savoury goodness that can be turned into soup with a splash of hot water or used as-is in dressings and marinades. They're packed full of protein and vitamins thanks to ingredients like soya beans, yeast extract and kelp.


Itsu's recipe contains no artificial colours, preservatives, flavourings, MSG or other nasties. Plus it's free from gluten and animal products, making this miso paste a suitable option for coeliacs, vegans and vegetarians alike!

No.5

Clearspring
Organic Instant White Miso Soup

Reference price
£2.35
Mid

Organic and Freeze-Dried for Freshness

Featuring organic white miso that's been freeze-dried for freshness, this yummy soup is part of Clearspring’s extensive range of Japanese culinary staples. It's the perfect pick if you’re dipping your toe into the world of miso, as the flavour is mild and sweet so it won't overwhelm your tastebuds


Readily available and super convenient to prepare, this organic powder features sea vegetables too. It's a must-have for any soup lover's kitchen!

No.6

Hanamaruki
Instant Aka Miso Soup

Reference price
£2.99
High Mid
Reference price
£2.99
High Mid

Red Miso Powder That’s Wonderfully Savoury

After an instant miso soup with a richer flavour? Hanamaruki produces an easy-to-prepare option made with red miso, roasted barley and dried bonito for a salty, savoury slurp!


While this soup is a bit more difficult to get hold of online, it's worth seeking out if you’re a fan of red miso. The pack contains three sachets of freeze-dried powder, which locks in the fermented soya goodness to deliver a nutritious meal any time, anywhere!

No.7

Clearspring
Organic Brown Rice Miso Soup Paste

Reference price
£2.35
Mid

A Tasty, Brown Rice-Based Soup

Thanks to the brown rice miso paste, this instant soup will bring the flavours of Japan to your bowl in a matter of minutes. It's sweet and slightly nutty, plus it contains sea vegetables which make it a hearty dish for any time of day.


Part of the well-known Clearspring range, this product is organic, gluten-free and suitable for vegans. Although the intense flavour might not suit some palates, we find it to be totally tasty!

No.8

Yutaka
Mellow Yellow Miso Soup Paste

Reference price
£1.60
Low

Mild, With MSG-Free Ingredients

The Yutaka brand is widely available and highly popular here in the UK thanks to their MSG-free ingredients. Their "mellow yellow" soup offers a mild yet mouthwatering flavour courtesy of the Shinshu miso paste base.


This box contains three servings, which may not sound like many but it can feed a small family for one meal or will last a few days if you live alone. Plus, it's very low-calorie, so it's ideal for a light lunch!

No.9

Miso Tasty
Sweetcorn Miso Soup

Reference price
£2.79
Mid

Slightly Spicy Yet Deliciously Different

This delicious recipe blends miso paste with authentic regional flavours to bring you an instant soup that’s a little bit different. It features ingredients like sweetcorn and spring onions that are popular in Hokkaido, an island in northern Japan.


If you’re looking for an instant miso soup that’s full of flavour yet still offers convenience in terms of preparation, this is a superb choice. Some people may find it too spicy, as it contains chilli and Sichuan pepper, but we think this makes it even more satisfying!

No.10

Hikari
Reduced Salt Instant Miso Soup

Reference price
£1.85
Low Mid
Reference price
£1.85
Low Mid

A Healthy, Low-Salt Recipe

This reduced salt instant miso soup comes from renowned Japanese brand Hikari. It's a fantastic option if you're looking to lower your sodium intake but don’t want to miss out on Japanese cuisine!


Containing 12 portions of paste that you can transform into a heart-warming bowl of soup in seconds, this is a pack that's great value for money. It also contains wakame seaweed pieces for added umami flavour! Sadly though, it can be difficult to get hold of this particular brand as it's only available at one website.

Summary

We hope that this guide will help you to serve up scrumptious miso goodness easily so you can enjoy it any time. Whether you're making it as a standalone meal or as part of a Japanese feast, having a pack or two of instant soup in your kitchen cupboard is a culinary necessity!


Author: Sonata Winchester

Top 5 Miso Soups

No. 1: HikariEnjuku Instant Miso Soup

No. 2: MarukomeQuick Serve Instant Miso Soup

No. 3: MarukomeMiso Soup, 4 Flavours

No. 4: ItsuMiso'Easy Traditional

No. 5: ClearspringOrganic Instant White Miso Soup

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