It turns out that the dashi, or stock, is incredibly easy, and from there, making miso soup with Andoh-recommended shiro miso is an absolute cinch.

NPR: Mastering Miso's Mysteries

Main dishes can be ordered either on their own or teishoku, on a lacquered tray with various sides (miso soup, rice, pickles, and so on).

NEWYORKER: Ootoya

The world even said good morning to a big wave of Japanese tourists by placing miso soup, rice, grilled fish and pickled vegetables on the breakfast menu.

BBC: Building bridges with breakfast

"I enjoy life here very much, " says Inokawa Tsurue, 80, as she pours another serving of miso soup for delivery to the homes of 80 elderly people.

CNN: WHERE IT'S GOOD TO BE OLD

To serve, ladle the miso soup into 2 wide shallow bowls, scoop the noodles into the soup, and lay the bok choy and fish on top of that.

NPR: Asian-Inspired Cooking with Tyler Florence

The men, filthy from scavenging for belongings in the ruins, sit for a smoke and a chat, while the women prepare miso soup with vegetables, hard-boiled eggs and seaweed for dinner.

BBC: Community spirit shines through in Japan's dark times

The pioneer in bringing peace of mind to family or neighbours is Zojirushi, Japan's biggest maker of rice cookers and electric kettles, which in Japan keep water hot all day for tea or miso soup.

ECONOMIST: The grey market

Seven cooks, including a pastry chef, under the management of kitchen maestro Jutamas Theantae, formerly of the venerable Mandarin Oriental in Chiang Mai, toil away to prepare exquisite French-Asian fusion dishes--foie gras and truffle miso soup, anyone?

FORBES: Lifestyle Feature