Mentsuyu (Noodle Soup Base)

Mentsuyu is a concentrated soup base used to make noodle soups such as udon and ramen. It is made from kombu, bonito flakes, mirin (sweet cooking rice wine), soy sauce, and katsuobushi (dried skipjack tuna). The umami-rich combination of these ingredients creates a delicious broth that can be diluted with water or dashi to create a flavorful soup.

Ingredients

Mentsuyu is made from a combination of kombu, bonito flakes, mirin (sweet cooking rice wine), soy sauce, and katsuobushi (dried skipjack tuna). Kombu provides umami flavor and minerals like iodine, while bonito flakes offer protein and omega-3 fatty acids. Mirin adds sweetness, while soy sauce and katsuobushi lend saltiness to the broth. Together they create an immensely flavorful noodle soup base.

Nutritional benefits

Mentsuyu consists of kombu, which is an excellent source of minerals like iodine, as well as protein and omega-3 fatty acids from the bonito flakes. Mirin adds sweetness while soy sauce and katsuobushi lend saltiness to the broth. Mentsuyu is a low-calorie soup base that is rich in flavor without adding too many calories.