Shiitake Miso Soup 

My relationship with soups has always been rather bumpy. It was a new notion to me when I found out how the Western world cares about proteins so much and whether vegans get enough of them. Growing up in Ukraine all I heard was how important soup is. 

Soup in Ukraine is the type of food that is almost supposed to cure you of any minor or major ailments. Most importantly it is there to keep your digestive system as healthy as possible. 

Being such a curious and distrusting little kid I never took this idea at face value so for a very long time I almost despised soups as I was convinced that the pedestal they have been put on is akin to false medicine and may cause more harm than good. 

In the end, though it all came down to the matter of taste. I felt that something was lacking in the soups I ate before. Luckily when I started cooking myself I discovered how versatile soups can be. And I couldn't have done that without uncovering the world of East Asian flavors that add an extra kick to a simple broth and made something ordinary quite extraordinary. 

You could almost say that Asian cuisine has helped me come closer to my Ukrainian roots. 

In this recipe, I am acknowledging the importance of learning and incorporating this newly gained knowledge into everyday life. With this soup, I wasn't going for a resemblance to any specific Asian culture but have decided to combine my favorite flavors and textures to create something that tastes good and is easy to make. 

I recommend getting the exact ingredients and only going for substitutes if absolutely necessary. 

Tips and notes:

• Make sure to simmer the broth for at least 40 minutes as the longer you cook the broth the better the soup will taste. Ideally, you can simmer the broth for 1 hour to 1 1/2 hours. 
• Take the deep-fried tofu for the best texture (like in a restaurant). If this kind of tofu is not available to you, substitute it with your favorite kind of firm tofu, then roll it in cornstarch and fry it in an abundance of neutrally flavored oil. 

Vegan Shiitake Miso Soup Recipe