A rare Trader Joe's fail!

@TheHorse (203666)
Walnut Creek, California
February 15, 2019 4:37pm CST
I'm a big fan of miso soup, and I'm a big fan of Trader Joe's. The other day I decided to try Trader Joe's miso soup for when I needed a dose but didn't want to go out to my local (excellent) Japanese restaurant. The stuff didn't taste bad, but it tasted nothing like miso soup, and there were noodles inside, but no chunks of tofu, as I'm used to. My search continues.
17 people like this
16 responses
@much2say (53650)
• Los Angeles, California
15 Feb 19
We make the real deal miso soup at home, and I sure know the difference between real ramen and the instant types - I tend not to buy these products. Miso ramen doesn't necessarily taste like the soup - it has a miso flavoring along with the traditional ramen broth (which is a chicken or pork kind of broth). Miso soup doesn't have this meat broth, so it is different. I suppose you could add tofu if you wanted to, but there's usually no tofu in miso ramen. My daughter likes the regular brand cup o' noodles, but she didn't care for the TJ one (I think it's chicken flavored?). They also carry a miso ginger broth in the box - that wasn't great either.
3 people like this
@much2say (53650)
• Los Angeles, California
16 Feb 19
@TheHorse Miso is a paste - fermented soy beans with lots of salt. There is such a thing as miso ramen, but it's not like miso soup. I should buy one of these TJ miso ramen cups just to try it. Miso soup is actually very easy to make . . . and you can adjust the taste as you want it (more miso, more tofu). Actually mom used to toss in leftover "somen" noodles in miso soup sometimes . . . we've even put in clams or various Asian mushrooms (like enoki).
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (454906)
• Switzerland
16 Feb 19
@much2say I typed my comment before reading yours. I am glad I got it right about Ramen broth, that is not what should be used in a Miso soup. I make it at home.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (203666)
• Walnut Creek, California
16 Feb 19
Thanks for the info. Yes, miso is veggie--I didn't check the ingredients of the stuff I bought. If it TASTED like miso as I know it (pretty similar at most restaurants I go to), I could tolerate noodles instead of tofu. I just want "that" flavor. Let me know if you find a good one. Just writing this makes me want some miso soup right now!
2 people like this
@DianneN (246452)
• United States
15 Feb 19
I'm a big fan of miso soup with tofu. When I saw the Ramen on it, I got turned off instantly. As much as I love Trader Joe's, I only have miso soup at Japanese restaurants.
3 people like this
@TheHorse (203666)
• Walnut Creek, California
16 Feb 19
Me too. So far. But I'd love to have some here that satisfied my mojo.
1 person likes this
@xander6464 (40696)
• Wapello, Iowa
15 Feb 19
Don't be too disappointed in Trader Joe's. Even Babe Ruth struck out once in a while.
2 people like this
@xander6464 (40696)
• Wapello, Iowa
16 Feb 19
@TheHorse That's why everyone comes to me for sage advice...Or a little more accurately, it's why they should come to me. Most don't for some reason.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (203666)
• Walnut Creek, California
16 Feb 19
@xander6464 I can relate. Um, aren't you best with advice about corn, soy, and hog? And I-80? That's an Iowa reference, in case you missed it.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (203666)
• Walnut Creek, California
15 Feb 19
Heh. Well said.
1 person likes this
• United States
15 Feb 19
That's one type of soup I've never had. Sorry you were disappointed
3 people like this
@TheHorse (203666)
• Walnut Creek, California
15 Feb 19
I'll keep looking. Being able to have miso soup anytime would make me happy.
3 people like this
@NJChicaa (115606)
• United States
15 Feb 19
I love miso soup! I can't imagine an instant version would be very good though.
3 people like this
@TheHorse (203666)
• Walnut Creek, California
15 Feb 19
I'd think they could get the flavor right, though. My life has new meaning. A new project. I'm going to keep looking.
3 people like this
• United Kingdom
15 Feb 19
Haven't heard of this soup at all and I have never tried Japanese cuisine
3 people like this
@TheHorse (203666)
• Walnut Creek, California
15 Feb 19
It's among my favorite, honestly.
3 people like this
@GardenGerty (157027)
• United States
16 Feb 19
I am not a fan. Hubby likes it but does not want the tofu. He scoops it out. I tried a packet of miso soup from Dillons (kroger) that tasted okay. You have to add your own tofu.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (203666)
• Walnut Creek, California
16 Feb 19
Hmm. Maybe I'll see what Safeway has.
@LadyDuck (454906)
• Switzerland
16 Feb 19
Ramen means that the stock is a chicken or pork stock, Miso soup is made with dashi (fish broth). This was the first signal not to buy, then the noodles are visible on the label, another sign that this is not a Miso Soup.
1 person likes this
@much2say (53650)
• Los Angeles, California
16 Feb 19
As I said in the other comment, we make miso soup, but not the ramen broth. Definitely the chicken or pork stock makes a difference - quite different tasting than fish broth.
1 person likes this
@much2say (53650)
• Los Angeles, California
18 Feb 19
@LadyDuck Miso ingredient can be used different ways, but the soup is definitely it's own thing. I saw a weird miso soup recipe online that used no broth (just water?), miso, and soy sauce. That wouldn't taste like miso soup either.
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (454906)
• Switzerland
16 Feb 19
@much2say The fish broth has a totally different taste, I cannot imagine a Miso soup with a pork or chicken broth.
1 person likes this
@cintol (11278)
• United States
16 Feb 19
Nothing beats the Japanese restaurant meals, you just can't imitate that. I have a client I used to work with and she sends her son to Trader Joes to buy me Coffee Rio candy all the time. She keeps me well supplied in it lol
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (203666)
• Walnut Creek, California
16 Feb 19
Heh. It's good to have nice ex-clients. I had Japanese to go last night. Including miso soup, of course.
1 person likes this
@cintol (11278)
• United States
16 Feb 19
@TheHorse Yes it is. My favorite is the tempura vegetables and shrimp, I hope you enjoyed your Miso soup.
@JudyEv (323672)
• Rockingham, Australia
15 Feb 19
That's a shame. It would have been an easy 'go-to' for you.
2 people like this
@TheHorse (203666)
• Walnut Creek, California
16 Feb 19
Precisely. I'm thinking of ordering some of my favorite sushi to go tonight. With miso soup, of course.
1 person likes this
@JohnRoberts (109865)
• Los Angeles, California
16 Feb 19
Oh well, win some lose some.
2 people like this
@TheHorse (203666)
• Walnut Creek, California
16 Feb 19
Yeppers. My search continues.
1 person likes this
• Defuniak Springs, Florida
16 Feb 19
I have never had a good instant miso soup.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (203666)
• Walnut Creek, California
16 Feb 19
Drat! But I will keep looking.
• Defuniak Springs, Florida
16 Feb 19
@TheHorse Dollar Tree carried some for a while that were a okay, but not great.
@fluffy69 (4956)
16 Feb 19
I sometimes eat it but not a big fan.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (203666)
• Walnut Creek, California
16 Feb 19
@fluffy69 I get it whenever I go to a Japanese restaurant.
@TheHorse (203666)
• Walnut Creek, California
16 Feb 19
I won't buy this again. But I'll keep looking for decent "quick" miso soup.
1 person likes this
@fluffy69 (4956)
16 Feb 19
@TheHorse have you tried the real miso soup-the homemade?
1 person likes this
• Santiago, Chile
16 Feb 19
Looking for new dishes and food to recommend to mylot community. I'll stay tune for more.
2 people like this
@TheHorse (203666)
• Walnut Creek, California
16 Feb 19
What are some of your favorites?
1 person likes this
• Santiago, Chile
16 Feb 19
@TheHorse I would not have enough time to name them all. I just happen to like almost all kinds of food. :( I should be obese you know, thank God I workout otherwise I would look like a basketball ball. :(
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (203666)
• Walnut Creek, California
16 Feb 19
@jvicentevalera Heh. Me too. I love Japanese, Thai, Mexican, Indian, steak and potatoes, etc.
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (72494)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
16 Feb 19
Hope you find what you are looking for. There is Kikomann Tofu miso soup on Amazon.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (203666)
• Walnut Creek, California
16 Feb 19
I wonder if that brand can be found locally. They make the soy sauce I use.
1 person likes this
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
16 Feb 19
I can't take soup in a cup I have to have it in a bowl and eat it with a spoon. My colleagues think it is hilarious! It makes me gag to try it in a cup!
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (203666)
• Walnut Creek, California
16 Feb 19
I think I did eat it right out of the cup. My search continues.
1 person likes this