This is the Marukome Ryotei no Aji Freeze Dried Karyu Age Nasu wo Taberu Miso Shiru.
The product consisted of a single-serving portion of freeze-dried granulated miso soup, featuring components such as fried eggplant, dried tofu, and dried scallions. The company employed a patented freeze-drying technique to preserve the flavour of raw miso soup, ensuring the retention of its authentic flavour.
The preparation of the soup required rehydration with 160 mL of boiled water. The components swiftly rehydrated upon contact with the hot water, releasing a comforting miso aroma. Upon tasting, the soup had a familiar and robust restaurant-style flavour akin to the regular nasu variety, accompanied by the added dimension of texture from the dried tofu. The eggplant, after rehydration, retained its satisfying crunch and inherent flavour, contributing a subtle oiliness that was by no means off-putting. Surprisingly, despite my usual aversion to scallions, the generous portion in this soup was unexpectedly agreeable, although its presence didn’t elevate the soup in the same manner as the wakame did in the regular nasu variant. Overall, this freeze-dried miso soup presented a convenient and pleasing option, offering a generous serving size and an array of toppings to enjoy.
This Marukome Ryotei no Aji Freeze Dried Karyu Age Nasu wo Taberu Miso Shiru contained 11 g. It was produced in Japan and received as a gift in Sydney, Australia in 2023.