Benihana Onion Soup (Hibachi Soup or Japanese Clear Onion Soup Recipe) (2024)

by Angela @ BakeItWithLove.com · 34 Comments

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This fantastic, light Benihana Onion Soup is a fan-favorite at the popular Japanese Steakhouse, and it's surprisingly easy to make! The soup goes by many names, but is always loaded with onion flavor and then topped with mushrooms, scallions, and fried onions!

Benihana Onion Soup (Hibachi Soup or Japanese Clear Onion Soup Recipe) (1)

Benihana Onion Soup Recipe (Japanese Steakhouse Copycat)

My whole household loves, and I do mean LOVES, Benihana! Since everyone I know right now is getting a little bored of eating the same stuff, they are definitely asking me for some more of my favorite Benihana recipes!

I double-checked all of my printed recipes and could not find this soup as ever having been available online on the actual, authentic Benihana website. So I just had to resort to continually tweaking my own recipe!

Since the onion soup at Benihana's restaurants sits on a warm burner until served, I do think that we all get slightly varied soup flavors. I've noted my own typical recipe and preparation with notes for how you may want to enhance your own soup.

Jump to:
  • Benihana Onion Soup Recipe (Japanese Steakhouse Copycat)
  • Hibachi Soup Ingredients
  • How To Make Clear Onion Soup
  • 📖 Recipe Card
  • 💬 Reviews

Hibachi Soup Ingredients

The simple, clear broth is made from staple ingredients that are simmered to perfection! This soup is traditionally topped off with thin-sliced mushrooms and sliced green onions. Benihana adds fried onions to their hibachi version of Japanese clear onion soup!

  • Carrot & Celery- part of the broth flavor as it sautées and simmers with the other vegetables. Grab a large carrot and a couple of celery ribs, wash them off, trim the ends, and then chop 'em up!
  • White Onion - for all of that wonderful onion flavor in this broth soup! Yellow onion can also be used, but it does alter the flavor as most onions are sweeter than white onions.
  • Garlic - for that unique garlic flavor that adds richness and depth of the flavor to the broth!
  • Chicken Broth and water - are your liquids that are added after some quick sautéeing to release the vegetable flavors! A combination of 3 cups of chicken broth, 2 cups of beef broth, and 1 cup of water can also be used.
  • Soy Sauce - just a touch to make this soup more flavorful! I've added notes in the recipe card and below for some more ingredient options to make a richer broth.
  • Mushrooms - are a required part of the familiar look and flavor of this popular Japanese steakhouse restaurant soup! I use either white button mushrooms or cremini ( baby bella ) mushrooms. My hubby loves both!
  • Green Onions - the second part of the very familiar garnish! Paired with thinly sliced mushrooms, the sliced scallions add color and their vibrant flavor to top off the soup perfectly!
  • Fried Onions - if you're a super fan of Benihana's onion soup, then you know it wouldn't be complete without a sprinkle of fried onions! Use French's, Durkee's, Fresh Gourmet, Trader Joe's, or your preferred brand of fried onions.

*Adding ½ tablespoon of beef bouillon granules and ⅛ teaspoon of ginger powder greatly enhances this soup flavor. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Or you can puree your strained cooked vegetables and add them back to your soup.

Do you absolutely love everything, hibachi? Check out my hibachi noodles or chicken or take a look at all my hibachi recipes here!

How To Make Clear Onion Soup

Other than some really simple vegetable preparation, I would also gather the extra items you will need. The vegetables will be strained after simmering, so do have a safe area to work in with a fine-mesh sieve and a clean bowl ready to transfer the hot broth into!

1. Sauté the Vegetables

You don't need any oil to sauté the vegetables! Water or chicken broth works just as well, and possibly even better, for sautéing your veggies! Add more as needed while cooking until ready to add your liquids.

  1. Bring a saucepan with a tablespoon of water or chicken broth to medium-high heat with the roughly chopped carrots, celery, onion, and garlic.
  2. Sauté the vegetables until the onions begin to become transparent and the vegetables are fragrant.

2. Cook the Broth

Allowing the vegetables to saute helps to release their natural juices into the broth, enhancing the flavor. We'll continue to build on that flavor with a longer simmer time!

  1. Add the chicken broth, water, and soy sauce to the saucepan.
  2. Bring to a rapid boil, cover, then reduce the heat to low and simmer.
  3. Simmer for 30 minutes.

3. Strain and Serve Your Benihana Onion Soup

While your broth is simmering, get your sink or work area ready to strain the vegetables from the broth.

  1. Place a fine-mesh sieve into a clean bowl.
  2. Pour the broth into the sieve and remove and discard the vegetables.
  3. Return the broth to your saucepan and place it on low heat.
  4. Serve immediately with 6-8 thin slices of mushroom, a sprinkling of sliced green onions, and about a tablespoon of the fried onions.
Benihana Onion Soup (Hibachi Soup or Japanese Clear Onion Soup Recipe) (3)

As with all recipes, make this recipe your own to suit your taste buds. Then come on back and let me know what your favorite additions are!

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Benihana Onion Soup (Hibachi Soup or Japanese Clear Onion Soup Recipe) (4)

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5 from 211 reviews

Benihana Onion Soup

This fantastic, light Benihana Onion Soup is a fan-favorite at the popular Japanese Steakhouse and it's surprisingly easy to make! The soup goes by many names, but is always loaded with onion flavor then topped with mushrooms, scallions, and fried onions!

Author | Angela

Servings: 4 servings

Calories: 63kcal

Prep 5 minutes minutes

Cooking 35 minutes minutes

Total Time 40 minutes minutes

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Ingredients

  • 1 large carrot (rough chopped)
  • 1-2 ribs celery (rough chopped)
  • ½ white onion (rough chopped)
  • ½ tablespoon garlic (2 crushed cloves, or minced garlic)
  • 4 cups chicken broth
  • 2 cups water
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 6 mushrooms (washed and thinly sliced)
  • 4 green onions (sliced, green portion only)
  • ¼ cup fried onions
  • each, salt & pepper (to taste)

Help Us Out!If you love a recipe, be sure to come back and share your ratings. This helps future users, and allows me to continue sharing free recipes! Angela

Instructions

  • In a saucepan, combine the vegetable base for the broth: carrots, celery, onion, and garlic with a tablespoon or two of water or chicken broth. Saute the vegetables over medium-high heat until fragrant.

    Benihana Onion Soup (Hibachi Soup or Japanese Clear Onion Soup Recipe) (5)

  • Add the chicken broth, soy sauce, and water to the sauteed vegetables. Bring to a boil then reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes.

    Benihana Onion Soup (Hibachi Soup or Japanese Clear Onion Soup Recipe) (6)

  • Using a fine-mesh sieve, drain the broth into a clean bowl and throw away the strained vegetables. Return the clear broth to your saucepan and keep on low heat while serving.

    Benihana Onion Soup (Hibachi Soup or Japanese Clear Onion Soup Recipe) (7)

  • Serve with 6-8 thinly sliced mushrooms, garnished with sliced green onions and fried onions.

Notes

Adding ½ tablespoon of beef bouillon granules and ⅛ teaspoon of ginger powder greatly enhances this soup flavor. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Or you can puree your strained cooked vegetables and add them back to your soup.

Nutrition

Calories: 63kcal (3%) | Carbohydrates: 8g (3%) | Protein: 3g (6%) | Fat: 2g (3%) | Saturated Fat: 1g (6%) | Sodium: 1171mg (51%) | Potassium: 434mg (12%) | Fiber: 2g (8%) | Sugar: 3g (3%) | Vitamin A: 3177IU (64%) | Vitamin C: 22mg (27%) | Calcium: 43mg (4%) | Iron: 1mg (6%)

Did you try this recipe? Rate it below!I can’t wait to see your results! Mention @bake_it_with_love or tag #bake_it_with_love!

Benihana Onion Soup, copycat, hibachi, Japanese clear onion soup, Miyabi soup

Course Soup Recipes

Cuisine American, Japanese

Benihana Onion Soup (Hibachi Soup or Japanese Clear Onion Soup Recipe) (8)

Angela @ BakeItWithLove.com

Angela is an at home chef that developed a passion for all things cooking and baking at a young age in her Grandma's kitchen. After many years in the food service industry, she now enjoys sharing all of her family favorite recipes and creating tasty dinner and amazing dessert recipes here at Bake It With Love!

bakeitwithlove.com/about/

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Reader Interactions

Comments

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  1. Lora says

    Benihana Onion Soup (Hibachi Soup or Japanese Clear Onion Soup Recipe) (13)
    DELICIOUS!!! This is about the 7th time I've made the soup. My whole family loves it! I have to make the recipe plus a half to have enough. Spot on and we Love Benihana's version and go to the restaurant at least twice a year. I do use fresh ginger slices instead of powder and do add the beef bouillon. Sometimes I don't even strain the soup, just eat the veggies. Thanks for a great recipe!

    Reply

  2. Sara Davis says

    Benihana Onion Soup (Hibachi Soup or Japanese Clear Onion Soup Recipe) (14)
    So yummy!!!! Thank you so much for this recipe!!

    Reply

  3. Pam says

    Benihana Onion Soup (Hibachi Soup or Japanese Clear Onion Soup Recipe) (15)
    Just like the restaurant! I have tried to duplicate with many different recipes and this is the winner! I will try the ginger salad dressing recipe next. Thank you, the soup is very delicious!

    Reply

  4. Craig says

    Benihana Onion Soup (Hibachi Soup or Japanese Clear Onion Soup Recipe) (16)
    I can't get enough of this soup. I make it monthly to last me a week at a time.

    Reply

  5. Maggie says

    Benihana Onion Soup (Hibachi Soup or Japanese Clear Onion Soup Recipe) (17)
    This is delicious! At the end I like to add frozen wontons (chicken wontons from Trader Joe’s) and make this a hybrid clear/wonton soup.. always a hit!

    Reply

  6. Anonymous says

    Benihana Onion Soup (Hibachi Soup or Japanese Clear Onion Soup Recipe) (18)
    Its grate but it needs more flavor and tang add beef

    Reply

  7. Stephanie says

    Benihana Onion Soup (Hibachi Soup or Japanese Clear Onion Soup Recipe) (19)
    Tastes great!! My broth didn’t come out clear, but it was still delicious. Any tips on why it might be cloudy? I double strained my broth (fine mesh strainer over a colander). Thanks for sharing!

    Reply

  8. Anonymous says

    Benihana Onion Soup (Hibachi Soup or Japanese Clear Onion Soup Recipe) (20)
    It was sooooo good. I put too much salt but even then it was delicious. I added more mushrooms, fried onions, and green onions because I love those in the soup. Such a great recipe, my favorite soup. Will definitely be making it again!

    Reply

  9. Star says

    Benihana Onion Soup (Hibachi Soup or Japanese Clear Onion Soup Recipe) (21)
    First off, OMG this is delicious. I’ve been looking for a recipe like this for so long. I’ve made it twice. Once without the ginger and beef, and once with. 100% recommended WITH! Notes are completely perfect and accurate in staying it enhances the flavors! Thank you for this recipe.
    Side question, are the carbs in the vegetables? Or the carbs are in the soup without the sifted veggies?

    Thank you and bless you!

    Reply

  10. Kim says

    Benihana Onion Soup (Hibachi Soup or Japanese Clear Onion Soup Recipe) (22)
    Hi! Would you work on a version that includes dashi? Most Japanese soups have some quantity of dashi in the broth but it's not an ingredient I've worked with, as I don't like seafood lol. Dashi powder is readily available in many supermarkets and online and would love to see a version which includes it. As much as I dislike seafood, I believe the dashi is crucial for that signature clean Broth! Love your recipes <3

    Reply

  11. Caryn says

    Can I make this the night before?

    Reply

    • Angela @ BakeItWithLove.com says

      Yes, and it tastes even better the next day 🙂 Enjoy!

      Reply

  12. Anonymous says

    Benihana Onion Soup (Hibachi Soup or Japanese Clear Onion Soup Recipe) (23)
    How can we make a low soduim version. 51% of daily soduim is a bit much

    Reply

    • Angela @ BakeItWithLove.com says

      Opt for low sodium soy sauce and broth to reduce the sodium content in the soup. Enjoy!

      Reply

  13. JoyceK says

    Benihana Onion Soup (Hibachi Soup or Japanese Clear Onion Soup Recipe) (24)
    I have been trying to duplicate hibachi soup for a long time now, and never could get the elusive flavors right! This is spot on!! Thank you so much!!

    Reply

    • Angela @ BakeItWithLove.com says

      So glad you like the soup! It's a personal favorite of mine, so I really enjoy making it at home.

      Reply

  14. Kim says

    Delicious! Can you freeeze?

    Reply

    • Angela @ BakeItWithLove.com says

      Yes, most definitely! You can typically freeze broth for up to a year, but I like to make sure that it's used within the first 6 months for better quality. Enjoy!

      Reply

  15. Ang says

    I LOVE THIS RECIPE BUT WHY WAIST THE VEGETABLES! I sautéed garlic, and grated ginger in olive oil. Added homemade bone broth. Let it simmer for 15 minutes. I served 2 cups of very hot broth in a bowl and added 1 tbsp each of finely julienned, raw carrots, zucchini, mushroom slices, spinach, diced avocados, green onions, 2 sprigs of cilantro, purple cabbage and a splash of lemon and hot sauce.No celery. Omg! This is a bowl of pure healthiness!

    Reply

  16. Jeannette says

    Hi, Do you use low sodium chicken broth? Thanks.

    Reply

    • Angela @ BakeItWithLove.com says

      Yes, I recommend it!

      Reply

  17. Anonymous says

    Benihana Onion Soup (Hibachi Soup or Japanese Clear Onion Soup Recipe) (25)
    Going through first trimester nausea and not wanting anything. This is the only thing that I really wanted. Your recipe is perfect!!!

    TL

    Reply

    • Angela @ BakeItWithLove.com says

      Aw, thank you! Been there, so I'm very happy to hear that you are able to enjoy something!

      Reply

    • Jill says

      This soup was amazing! It didn't taste exactly like hibachi soup but I'm wondering if that's because I used chicken bone broth instead of chicken broth? Would that alter the taste? Either way, it's a keeper! Thank you for sharing it!

      Reply

  18. Auzar Parsons says

    Benihana Onion Soup (Hibachi Soup or Japanese Clear Onion Soup Recipe) (26)
    This was my second attempt at hibachi clear soup after my daughter requested it. I wish I had found your recipe first! I sautéed the veggies in sesame oil instead of water/broth, used fresh ginger, and better than bouillon instead of beef bouillon granules. It was amazing!! Can’t wait for my daughter to try it!

    Reply

    • Brian Soriano says

      Benihana Onion Soup (Hibachi Soup or Japanese Clear Onion Soup Recipe) (27)
      I just finished making this with your suggestions. It was absolutely delicious!

      Reply

      • Jodi Outland says

        Benihana Onion Soup (Hibachi Soup or Japanese Clear Onion Soup Recipe) (28)
        It is amazing

        Reply

  19. Renee says

    Benihana Onion Soup (Hibachi Soup or Japanese Clear Onion Soup Recipe) (29)
    Wonderful, easy, and tastes just like Benihana's!(Maybe better!! ) My daughter asked me to stop there and get that soup for her and I told her let's try a recipe at home first. Just made it and it was absolutely amazing! I also used the ginger and beef Granules. Thanks for the recipe she is excited to come home and try it!

    Reply

    • Angela @ BakeItWithLove.com says

      I say it in all of my Benihana and hibachi recipes, but we really are fans of the restaurant/food/dining experience. I love making these recipes at home since we now live hours away from pretty much any restaurant, so I do try hard to really get the flavors right. It's such a great reward when someone lets you know that you have done a good job. Thank you very much!

      Reply

  20. Abbie says

    Benihana Onion Soup (Hibachi Soup or Japanese Clear Onion Soup Recipe) (30)
    This soup is SO good. I’ve always been in love with the Benihana version, so I thought I’d try this at-home recipe, and I am NOT disappointed. It’s so tasty and easy to make! This will become a dinner staple, and for only 67 calories—WOW.

    Reply

  21. Monique says

    This is so yummy! I made it with bone broth instead. Mine didn’t come out as clear as the soup at Benihana but that might be because of the bone broth or my sieve wasn’t fine enough. Either way it was delicious! I will be making this all the time!

    Reply

  22. Naomi says

    When do you add the soy sauce?

    Reply

    • Angela @ BakeItWithLove.com says

      Hi Naomi, you want to add the soy sauce in step 2: Add the chicken broth, soy sauce, and water to the sauteed vegetables. Bring to a boil then reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes.
      4 cups chicken broth, 1 Tbsp soy sauce, 2 cups water

      Reply

  23. Teresa says

    Benihana Onion Soup (Hibachi Soup or Japanese Clear Onion Soup Recipe) (31)
    It was delicious, and just like Benihana's. Thanks!

    Reply

Benihana Onion Soup (Hibachi Soup or Japanese Clear Onion Soup Recipe) (2024)

FAQs

What is hibachi clear soup made of? ›

I know that some people are thinking of “Japanese Onion Soup”—also known “Miyabi Soup” or “Hibachi Soup”—made by simmering beef broth or chicken broth and veggies such as carrots, celery, fresh ginger, and garlic. This soup commonly includes sliced mushrooms, scallions, sometimes tofu, and sesame oil.

What is the soup at Benihana? ›

Tips on Making Copycat Benihana Onion Soup

It's sometimes called Japanese clear soup, Japanese mushroom soup, or even clear mushroom soup. This is because the traditional garnishing of this soup is with mushrooms and green onions. However, the Benihana Hibachi soup version adds in fried onions as well.

Is Japanese clear soup good for you? ›

Is Japanese Clear Soup good for you? This recipe is a super wholesome dish! It's made with fresh vegetables for added nutrients and can be even more wholesome if bone broth is used instead of broth. Though it's definitely not a main dish by itself, it's the perfect light appetizer or side that's easy to digest.

Is Japanese clear soup the same as miso soup? ›

Japanese soups can be divided into two major categories—miso soup and clear soup. Both are made with dashi, soup stock. Miso is mixed into the dashi to make miso soup, while clear soups use salt, soy sauce and sake to add flavor to the dashi. Most people tend to have miso soup with everyday meals, especially breakfast.

What is the clear liquid at hibachi? ›

What Is Japanese Clear Soup? This simple broth-based soup is primarily made of meat broths and vegetables simmered together over a long period to create a deep rich flavor. The vegetables are then removed so the soup is clear, and garnishes like scallions and thinly sliced mushrooms are added to the top.

What are the 3 types of clear soups? ›

Clear soups include broth, hearty broth, and Consommé.

Is the onion soup at Benihana vegetarian? ›

1 Appetizers and side orders

Avoid both the onion and miso soups—the former contains beef broth and the later contains fish-based ingredients. While you're putting in your app order, start the night off right and inform your server or tableside chef of your dietary requirements.

Why is Benihana so popular? ›

By bringing Japanese food into the mainstream and pioneering its entertaining style of presentation, Benihana has also paved the way in America and abroad for the popularity of other Japanese cooking styles and food products.

What is Benihana style cooking called? ›

In the United States, teppanyaki (more commonly known simply as hibachi) was made famous by the Benihana restaurant chain, which opened its first restaurant in New York in 1964. Though Benihana cooks their food teppanyaki-style, they also serve dishes such as hibachi steak and chicken.

Can clear soup help you lose weight? ›

While soups are undoubtedly an indispensable part of our diets when we are looking to lose weight, one should stick to the clear variant of this light and wholesome meal. Yes, instead of the regular creamy ones, go for clear, watery soups as they will help you feel full for a longer duration of time.

Is Japanese clear soup good for colds? ›

Miso is a Japanese soup made from dashi (stock), miso paste, vegetables, seaweed, and tofu. The salt in miso helps reduce inflammation, and the vapors from miso soup's steam make it easier to breathe when you have a cold.

Why is it called clear soup? ›

Clear soup is a soup that is made by simmering veggies, & or meat in a liquid until all the flavors are released. These soups are clear and are great for those on a liquid diet. Clear soups are made without the addition of any spices, starch or any other flavoring ingredients.

What is a fancy name for clear soup? ›

In cooking, a consommé is a type of clear soup made from richly flavoured stock or broth that has been clarified, a process that uses egg whites to remove fat and sediment.

What is a substitute for miso paste in soup? ›

Soy Sauce/ Aminos

Soy sauce is the most common substitute for miso paste. Miso is thick and creamy, whereas soy sauce is thin like water, but if texture isn't a factor, they are both made of soy and chock full of salty and savory notes.

What is the name of the popular Japanese soup? ›

Ramen is one of the most popular Japanese soups both in and outside of Japan. Made with dashi broth combined with shio (salt), shoyu (soy sauce), miso(soybean paste), or tonkotsu (pork-bone) flavoring, ramen has countless regional varieties.

What liquid is used for hibachi cooking? ›

The top-secret cooking oil used by hibachi chefs is a combination of 4 basic ingredients; sesame oil, olive oil, mirin, and soy sauce. And to balance out all the butter, I add tons of veggies.

What is the difference between clear soup and broth? ›

Now the terms 'broth' and 'soup' can sometimes be used interchangeably, but broths are always 100% liquid. And finally, let's talk about 'soup'. Soup is a liquid food (which is its own category on menus) and comes in a wide variety, from clear to cream, to chowders to bisques, and even to fruit (?!).

What is the white stuff at hibachi? ›

Yum yum sauce is a pinkish-white creamy mayo-based dipping sauce you'll find at a Japanese steakhouse. It's known by many names, including Japanese white sauce, pink sauce, shrimp sauce, hibachi white sauce, or Japanese steakhouse sauce. It's the creamy pinkish white sauce you'll find at a Japanese hibachi steakhouse.

What is a completely clear soup called? ›

In cooking, a consommé is a type of clear soup made from richly flavoured stock or broth that has been clarified, a process that uses egg whites to remove fat and sediment.

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