Serves 4

5 cups dashi*
2 tablespoons aka miso (red bean paste)
4 cubes tofu (bean curd)
2 spring onions (scallions), sliced diagonally
2 sliced mushrooms

Bring dashi to the boil, then mix some of the hot liquid with the bean paste in a small bowl, stirring until smooth. Pour mixture back into saucepan, stir well, add bean curd and spring onions and return to the boil. Simmer for a few seconds only.

Ladle into bowls, garnish each with a slice or two of mushroom and serve hot.