Asakusa is a popular town for tourists because of its streets that exude a Japanese atmosphere. MISOJYU, a miso soup specialty shop, is run with the desire to provide a delicious breakfast for tourists who come from far away. This time, we visited a miso soup shop that continues to provide its warm feelings from the alleys of Asakusa.

A miso soup restaurant inspired by Japan's fermentation culture

▲Mr. Yamazaki, manager of MISOJYU main store

MISOJYU is run by a team called "TEAM Chikyu." Its representative members are brand director Edward Hames, calligrapher Takeda Souun, and food director Nishida Hirotaka. The members of TEAM Chikyu are not only store and operational staff, but also producers and vendors, and they are all part of the team. Public relations officer Yamatani told us about the reason for founding MISOJYU.

"The members of TEAM Chikyu were brainstorming about opening a restaurant that could convey the benefits of organic food and Japanese culture at the same time. As each member brainstormed, we came across Japan's culture of fermentation and came up with the idea of making miso soup using ingredients that are good for your body."

I want you to have a delicious breakfast

One of the most appealing items on the menu is the breakfast set, available only from 8:00 to 10:00. It is a set of miso soup, rice balls, boiled eggs, and pickles that changes every day, and the menu is a quintessential Japanese breakfast with miso soup as the main ingredient, which makes my heart flutter.

"Before opening the shop, I looked into the movements of tourists around Asakusa and found that many of them go to convenience stores or family restaurants in the morning. I wanted people to be able to eat something typically Japanese in the morning, so I decided to focus on opening in the morning and offering breakfast sets," says Yamatani.

The miso soup in the breakfast set changes every day. There are several types of rice balls to choose from, so even tourists staying multiple nights can enjoy the breakfast every day without getting bored. They even say to their guests, "I'm back today!"

"The miso soup that comes with the breakfast set is prepared by our staff the day before. We change the miso we use depending on the ingredients of the day."

The miso soup in the breakfast set at the time of the interview was made with shimeji mushrooms and Chinese cabbage, and was made with medium-spicy miso from Shimane Prefecture. This is a very satisfying set that allows you to enjoy a generous amount of miso soup with a refreshing taste that is perfect for the morning.

A combination of ingredients that can only be found here

The regular menu offers a slightly different miso soup. The most popular item is the "Amazing Pork Soup with Chunky Vegetables and Braised Pork." This dish features a hearty braised pork dish on top of large slices of daikon radish and carrots.

"When simmering the pork, we slowly heat it in red wine and herbs, and use dried fruit to bring out the sweetness. The flavor of the pork dissolves into the broth, making for a rich, sweet miso soup."

Other products include "Soy milk and scallop miso potage" and "Whole tomato and tender beef shank miso pot-au-feu." The combinations of ingredients and flavors you would never imagine will show you new possibilities for miso soup.

"Recently, young people in Japan have stopped drinking and making miso soup. I want people overseas to learn about Japanese culture, but I would also be happy if Japanese people could rediscover the deliciousness of miso soup."

You can also enjoy the works of some of Japan's leading calligraphers.

At first glance, MISOJYU looks like a cute coffee stand. On the second floor, you'll find a space where you can feel Japanese culture, something you wouldn't expect from the outside. All of the calligraphy is by calligrapher Takeda Souun. You'll be entranced by the power and beauty of the calligraphy. In the Japanese-style shop with its remaining beams, sipping miso soup while admiring the calligraphy will warm your body and soul.

MISOJYU is a miso soup shop where you can start your morning off by treating yourself to a healthy miso soup and feeling ready to take a new step. When you leave the shop feeling refreshed, the view of Skytree beyond the flag will cheer you on for your wonderful day.

MISOJYU
電話番号：03-5830-3101
住所：東京都台東区浅草1丁目7−5
アクセス：東京メトロ銀座線浅草駅から徒歩5分
HP：https://misojyu.jp/
※営業時間や定休日についての詳細は上記のリンク先にてご確認ください。