A rich soup base helps to build flavor in this quick-cooking weeknight soup without the need for a long simmer time. We last featured this meal in 2019. Smarts: If you’re making a non-spicy version of this soup, you may need to increase the amount of miso paste used to make up for that spicy flavor element. You can always taste and add more miso or spice at the end of cooking. Cooking methods: This recipe includes instructions for using the Instant Pot or stovetop. Select your preferred method.
Baby bok choy - 12 oz , halved
(sub regular bok choy, chopped)
Oil, cooking - 1 Tbsp
Oil, toasted sesame - 1 tsp
Spicy Miso Udon Noodle Soup:
Ginger, fresh (opt) - 1 tsp , grated
Garlic - 2 cloves , chopped
Soy sauce, low-sodium - 1 Tbsp
Mirin - 2 Tbsp
(sub rice vinegar but reduce amount by half)
Miso, any type - 1 Tbsp
Red pepper flakes (opt) - 1/2 tsp
Udon noodles, dried - 6 oz
Limes - 1 , wedges
Cilantro leaves - 3 Tbsp , chopped
Oil, cooking - 1 Tbsp
Pork, ground - 12 oz
Stock, any type - 5 cups
Sesame seeds, white or black (opt) - 1 tsp
Choose Cooking Method
Prep
Ginger / Garlic - Prep as directed and combine. (Can be done up to 5 days ahead)
Make soup base - Combine ginger, garlic, soy sauce, mirin, miso, and red pepper flakes. (Can be done up to 5 days ahead)
Bok choy - If using baby bok choy, slice in half lengthwise. If using regular bok choy, chop. (Can be done up to 3 days ahead)
Noodles - Cook according to package instructions. If prepping ahead, let the noodles cool completely and then toss with some oil to help prevent sticking. (Can be done up to 3 days ahead)
Heat a Dutch oven or wok over medium-high heat. Add cooking oil (portion for bok choy) and sear baby bok choy on both sides (if using chopped regular bok choy, saute it) until tender, ~4 minutes total. Season with some salt as it cooks. Drizzle toasted sesame oil over bok choy and set aside.
Reduce heat under the Dutch oven to medium.
Add cooking oil (portion for soup) and then the pork. Saute pork, breaking it apart, until cooked through, 6 to 7 minutes. Drain off any excess oil.
To pork, add soup base and saute for 1 minute.
Pour stock over pork and bring to a simmer. Place a lid on the pan, leaving it slightly ajar to prevent the soup from bubbling over. Simmer soup for 10 minutes to let the flavors come together.
Remove soup from heat and squeeze half of the lime wedges over top. Taste the soup and adjust seasoning as needed - add more miso paste for more salty / savory flavor, some hot sauce if you’d like more heat, and some more lime juice if you’d like it more sour.
Divide noodles and bok choy between large bowls. Ladle hot soup over top. Finish each bowl of soup with cilantro and sesame seeds. Serve remaining lime wedges on the side. Enjoy!
Prep
Ginger / Garlic - Prep as directed and combine. (Can be done up to 5 days ahead)
Make soup base - Combine ginger, garlic, soy sauce, mirin, miso, and red pepper flakes. (Can be done up to 5 days ahead)
Bok choy - If using baby bok choy, slice in half lengthwise. If using regular bok choy, chop. (Can be done up to 3 days ahead)
Noodles - Cook according to package instructions. If prepping ahead, let the noodles cool completely and then toss with some oil to help prevent sticking. (Can be done up to 3 days ahead)
Using the Saute function of an Instant Pot add cooking oil (portion for bok choy) and then sear bok choy until tender, ~4 minutes total, seasoning with salt as it cooks. (If not all of the bok choy will fit easily in the pot, sear it in batches or use a skillet on the stovetop.) Set bok choy aside and drizzle it with toasted sesame oil.
With the Instant Pot still on the Saute function, add cooking oil (portion for soup) and then the pork. Saute pork, breaking it apart, until cooked through, 6 to 7 minutes.
To pork, add soup base and saute for 1 minute.
Pour stock over pork and bring to a simmer, scraping up any browned bits on the bottom of the pan (this step is important to prevent the burn error).
Turn off the Saute function.
Close and lock the lid. Set the pressure valve to 'Sealing'. Cook on manual / high pressure for 5 minutes. Let pressure release naturally for 5 minutes and then manually release any remaining pressure.
Squeeze half the lime wedges into the soup. Taste the soup and adjust seasoning as needed - add more miso paste for more salty / savory flavor, some hot sauce if you’d like more heat, and some more lime juice if you’d like it more sour.
Divide noodles and bok choy between large bowls. Ladle hot soup over top. Finish each bowl of soup with cilantro and sesame seeds. Serve remaining lime wedges on the side. Enjoy!