Owan Soup Mastery: A Bone Broth Delight

Owan Soup with Bone Broth

Owan soup is a traditional Japanese dish that serves as a light, palate-cleansing course in a meal. This recipe focuses on creating a rich bone broth using rockfish, a process that embodies the Japanese principle of mottainai, or no waste, by using all parts of the fish. Here’s how to make this soothing and flavorful soup.

Ingredients:

• Rockfish bones, leftover from preparing a whole fish
• 2 rockfish collars, cut in half
• ½ onion, sliced
• 48 oz dashi stock
• 2 tsp sake
• Salt, to taste
• ½ cup thick-sliced daikon, cut into half-moons, lightly blanched
• ¼ cup 1-inch carrot pieces, cut on the bias, lightly blanched
• 2 small shiitake mushroom caps, cut into quarters, blanched
• 1 tbsp julienned ginger
• ¼ cup scallions, thinly sliced

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Broth: Place the blanched rockfish bones in a pot with the sliced onions. Pour in the dashi stock and heat over low heat. Bring it to a low simmer, skimming as needed, and let it simmer for about 40 minutes until the onions are translucent.
2. Steam the Collars: Meanwhile, place the blanched rockfish collars in a steamer. Pour a half teaspoon of sake over each collar and steam for 4 minutes. Keep them warm until ready to plate.
3. Strain the Broth: Remove the rockfish bones from the broth and discard. Strain the broth through a cheesecloth-lined strainer into a large bowl, then return it to the pot and bring it back to a simmer.
4. Season the Broth: Add a few pinches of salt, taste, and adjust the seasoning as needed. Simmer for an additional 2 minutes.
5. Assemble the Soup: Prepare your soup bowls. Place one piece of daikon, one piece of carrot, and one shiitake mushroom in each bowl. Add the rockfish collar on top.
6. Serving: Carefully ladle the hot broth into the soup bowls, pouring it to the side of the ingredients to maintain their placement. Top with julienned ginger and sliced scallions. Serve immediately in bowls that can be comfortably held and sipped from, enjoying the full aroma and warmth of the soup.

This Owan Soup with Bone Broth offers a warming and delightful contrast to other dishes in a meal, particularly if they are served cold. The flavors are light yet satisfying, making it an essential part of a traditional Japanese dining experience​​​​.