Easy and Delicious Japanese Souvenir: Instant Miso Soup You’ll Love
- Patia
- May 9
- 6 min read
HELLO, I'M AYU!
I am one of the staff members at Patia, where we offer cooking classes specifically designed for foreign tourists in Tokyo. I have two children, and I love cooking! I look forward to sharing my passion for cooking with you and making your experience in Japan truly memorable!
When visiting Japan, one of the joys of travel is experiencing the unique and delicate flavors of Japanese cuisine. Instant miso soup offers a quick and easy way to enjoy that authentic taste—just pour hot water over the ingredients in a bowl, and you’ll have a comforting cup that feels like a traditional Japanese ryokan breakfast.
Miso, a fermented ingredient, is not only flavorful but also gentle on the stomach—perfect for tired travelers or those adjusting to jet lag. As the savory aroma of dashi (Japanese soup stock) rises with the steam, it provides a moment of warmth and relaxation, while also offering a small boost to your immune system.
Whether you’re winding down after a long day of sightseeing or looking for a thoughtful gift for someone back home, instant miso soup makes it easy to recreate the taste of Japan anytime, anywhere. It’s a simple, delicious, and memorable souvenir every traveler should try.
The information in this article is current as of May 2025.
Table of Contents
What Is Instant Miso Soup? Why It Makes the Perfect Japanese Souvenir
Miso soup is a traditional staple of Japanese home cooking, typically served alongside rice. It’s made by dissolving miso paste—a fermented soybean paste—into a savory broth called dashi, which is usually made from ingredients like dried bonito flakes or kelp. This simple yet flavorful soup plays a central role in everyday Japanese meals.
Instant miso soup offers a convenient way to enjoy this authentic taste without the need for complicated cooking. Just add hot water, and it's ready to enjoy in seconds. Because it’s lightweight, compact, and has a long shelf life, it’s an ideal souvenir to pack in your suitcase. More than just a food item, it’s a cultural experience you can take home—one that continues to grow in popularity among international travelers.
How to Make Instant Miso Soup
Preparing instant miso soup couldn’t be easier. Most varieties come in either freeze-dried or paste form, and all you need to do is place the contents into a bowl or cup and pour in hot water. In about one minute, you’ll have a warm, comforting soup with the rich umami flavor of miso and the fragrant aroma of dashi broth.
Many instant miso soups also include traditional ingredients like tofu, wakame seaweed, and chopped green onions—making them look and taste just like the real thing.
Another bonus: most hotels and ryokan (traditional inns) in Japan are equipped with electric kettles, so you can enjoy a bowl of miso soup with ease, even while traveling. The moment that savory aroma rises with the steam, it’s likely to bring back memories of your time in Japan.
3 Recommended Instant Miso Souvenirs — and Where to Buy Them
Looking for a unique and delicious souvenir from Japan? Here are three instant miso soups that are especially popular with international travelers. They make thoughtful gifts and are easy to pack, and we've included details on where you can find each one during your trip.
The information in this article is current as of May 2025.
1. Kuze Fuku & Co. Assorted Instant Miso Soup Gift Set (12 packs)
This elegant gift set includes four flavors of Kuze Fuku’s original freeze-dried miso soups:
Pork miso soup with a hint of ginger
Sea lettuce with sweet Bitchu white miso
Nameko mushrooms with Okazaki red miso
Spinach with Shinshu miso
Each variety is rich in flavor and filled with hearty ingredients. The stylish, high-quality packaging makes it an ideal souvenir or gift that shows thoughtfulness and care.
Price: 3,400 JPY
Where to buy: Kuze Fuku & Sons retail stores in Japan
Official website: https://kuzefukuandsons.com/
2. MUJI Instant Miso Soup (Pack of 4)
MUJI’s instant miso soups are popular for their clean, minimalist design and simple preparation. Some varieties are vegetarian-friendly, making them a great option for people with dietary restrictions. Their understated packaging also makes them perfect for gifting.
Price: 450 JPY
Where to buy: MUJI stores across Japan
Official website: https://www.muji.com/
3. Misogen’s Haneda Airport-Exclusive Miso Soup Monaka (Set of 6)
From Misogen, a specialty miso soup shop based in Tokyo’s Jiyugaoka neighborhood, comes this adorable and travel-themed souvenir. Each miso soup is sealed inside a crisp rice wafer (monaka) stamped with a cute airplane design. Just add hot water and enjoy! Available exclusively at Haneda Airport.
Price: 2,160 JPY
Where to buy: Haneda Airport — PIER 1 and PIER 4
Official website: https://www.misogen-online.com/
A Unique Japanese Experience: Make Your Own Ramen and Shop Like a Local
If you're looking to make your trip to Japan even more memorable, why not choose a hands-on experience that goes beyond the usual sightseeing? At Patia’s Ramen-Making Class in Tokyo, you’ll not only learn how to make authentic Japanese ramen from scratch—but also enjoy a bonus stop at a local supermarket to shop for ingredients and souvenirs.
Of course, buying premium instant miso soup from a specialty store is a wonderful souvenir idea. But if you want something more casual and easy to enjoy every day, Japan’s local supermarkets are full of great options—affordable, varied, and full of flavor. And don’t worry—you won’t be shopping alone. One of our instructors will go with you, offering tips and helping you pick out the best instant miso soups, snacks, or other gifts to take home.
This tour is perfect for travelers who want to dive deeper into Japanese food culture. You’ll get the satisfaction of creating your own bowl of ramen and the fun of discovering everyday Japanese products that locals actually use.
From the joy of crafting noodles by hand to the excitement of finding unique instant miso soups and cute snacks at the store, this experience is both educational and unforgettable—a highlight of your trip you’ll be talking about long after you return home.
Looking to create unforgettable memories during your trip to Japan? Why not join a hands-on experience that combines cooking and souvenir shopping?
Take the Taste of Japan Home with You
Instant miso soup is a uniquely Japanese souvenir that combines authentic flavor with ultimate convenience. Just by adding hot water, you can enjoy a bowl that feels like a traditional ryokan breakfast—comforting, nourishing, and full of umami. As a fermented food, it’s also gentle on the stomach and supports overall wellness. Lightweight, easy to pack, and available in a wide variety of flavors, instant miso soup is a thoughtful gift for loved ones—or a delicious reminder of your journey for yourself. During your travels in Japan, be sure to find a favorite and take home a little taste of your adventure.
Book the Jiro-style Ramen Making Class
Click here for more details "Ramen Making Experience: Entirely From Scratch!"
For Those Interested in Exploring Other Japanese Cuisine: "Patia’s Japanese Cooking Classes"
In this blog post, we introduced our Jiro-style Ramen making class, but we also offer a variety of other Japanese cooking experiences. From sushi-making classes to creating cute kyaraben (character bento) that represent Japanese culture, these are unique cooking experiences you can only have in Japan. Be sure to check out our other classes as well!
We share behind-the-scenes moments, cooking tips, and beautiful photos from our classes on Instagram! Follow us and join the Tokyo food adventure.
Find us on Instagram @patiajapanesecooking
Contact Us
If you have any questions or want to learn more about our cooking classes, feel free to get in touch! We’re here to help you create unforgettable culinary experiences during your stay in Japan.
