Miso soup has had a makeover.
The traditional staple of Japanese breakfasts is finding new favor in Tokyo as a fashionably healthy meal in itself.
Misoshiruya, a miso soup bar that opened in October in the Uchisaiwaicho district of Chiyoda Ward, serves all kinds of miso soup featuring different types of miso from all over Japan. But aside from traditional ingredients like tofu and "wakame" seaweed, Misoshiruya serves miso soup with tomato, broccoli and other vegetables that are usually served in Western dishes.
"People today are used to instant miso soup, but we would like our customers to enjoy the real taste of miso soup, and have some fun," Misoshiruya President Shigeo Kagami said.
The Ginza Shiruhachi restaurant in the Ginza district of Tokyo serves a range of miso dishes, and has upgraded miso soup from a side to main dish.
Restaurant owner Hiroe Aoki said miso soup offers an answer to busy workers, who often have irregular eating habits.
"You can take a lot of vegetables with miso soup," Aoki said. "It's healthy and it's suited for today's busy people."