Asari no Osuimono (Clear Clam Soup)
Sweet palourde clams opened in a clear, delicate dashi broth with a hint of ginger and spring onion.
Made with Dashi stock. Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time20 min
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £1.18 a head
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Ingredients
Tick what you need to buy. It goes on your shopping list.
Method
- 1
Soak the clams in a bowl of cold salted water for 20 minutes so they release any grit, then rinse. Discard any that are open and do not close when tapped.
20 min - 2
Put your ready made dashi (see the base recipe) in a pan with the mirin and ginger and bring to a gentle simmer.
- 3
Add the clams, cover and cook for 3 to 4 minutes, until the shells have opened. Throw away any that stay shut.
3 min 30 s - 4
Stir in the tamari. Taste and add a pinch of salt if needed.
- 5
Ladle the clams and broth into 4 small bowls.
- 6
Top with the spring onions and a strip of lemon zest.
Tips
- Do not cook the clams for longer than they need, or they turn rubbery.
- Keep the broth clear by simmering gently, never boiling.
- Mussels work well if clams are hard to find.
Storing and freezing
Best eaten straight away. Shellfish soup does not reheat well, so only make what you will eat. The dashi alone keeps 2 days in the fridge.
Questions
How do I know if clams are safe to eat?
Discard any that stay open when tapped before cooking, and any that stay shut after cooking. All the rest are safe to eat.
Can I make it ahead?
Make the dashi ahead and chill it for up to 2 days, then cook the clams just before serving.
More made with dashi stock
Double check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.