This Japanese Dango Meatball Soup recipe is filled with juicy meatballs in a clear and flavorful broth. This nutritious soup will warm your soul and leave you full and satisfied during the winter months!
The dango broth soup is made from a Japanese Dashi base and flavored with a touch of salt and soy sauce.
But the real flavors are extracted from the dango meatball that provides a delicate yet flavorful soup that will leave you feeling full and warm!
This soup is not only low carb, but it’s packed with protein making it a perfect low carb soup especially during the winter months.
What is Japanese Dango Soup?
Homemade meatballs using a blend of ground beef and pork are dropped in a light and flavorful dashi broth then simmered until tender and juicy.
What does dango mean in Japanese?
Dango literally translates to “rolling into a ball”, more specifically, it’s referring to making the ‘meat balls’ for this soup.
In Japanese, it would be called ‘niku dango’ with the literal translation being ‘meat balls’.
Is this Japanese dango meatball soup recipe filling enough for a meal?
This dish is typically served on the side of the main meal but you can definitely get full from all the filling meatballs in this soup.
Just make sure you make enough if you’re planning to have this as your main course.
Did you have any tips in making this Japanese soup recipe?
- This soup is very hot. The oils that come out of the meatballs create a layer on top that traps the heat, so make sure to stir before consuming or you can easily burn yourself.
- If you prefer a richer soup base, you can just use ground pork to make the dango meatballs.
- If you need to adjust the flavor, add additional salt a 1/4 tsp at a time.
- For a heartier meal, add some fresh shiitake mushroom to this soup.
Do you have other Asian soup recipes I can try?
- Tonjiru Miso Soup
- Creamy Tom Khai Gai Soup
- Cream Corn Potage Soup
- Egg Drop Soup
- Traditional Miso Soup
- Entire Collection of Asian Soup Recipes
Now, let’s get making this Japanese Dango Meatball Soup recipe!
- Prepping Time 10M
- Cook Time 10M
- Total Time 20M
- Net Carb/Serv ~2g
- Servings 4-5
Ingredients
Broth
Meatballs
- 1 Cup Chopped Onion (about 1/2 a whole onion)
- 1 tbsp Vegetable Oil
- 1 lbs Ground Pork
- 1 lbs Ground Beef (20 % fat or greater. You can also use 2lbs of Pork if you prefer, which will make the meatballs juicy)
- 2 Eggs
- 3 tbsp Half & Half
- 1/2 tbsp Salt
- 1/2 tsp Black Pepper
Directions
1) Gather all the ingredients.
2) Make 6 cups of Dashi and leave on simmer.
3) In the meantime, chop onions.
4) In a frying pan, add oil and cook onions on medium heat until translucent. Should be around 2-4 minutes. Set aside once cooked.
5) Chop green onions into thin slices and set aside.
6) In a large mixing bowl, add and combine ground beef, ground pork, half & half, eggs, 1/2 tbsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper and grilled onions.
7) Take a small amount of the meatball mix and throw from one hand to another while gently cupping the meatball with the palm of hands to form shape. Meatballs should be a little bigger than a golf ball and you should end up with ~12-16 meatballs. Note – these meatballs are very fragile, so handle with care.
8) Bring Dashi to soft boil then add Japanese sake and meatballs. Lower heat to medium low, cover 7/8 ways and cook for 10-12 minutes.
9) Once meatballs are cooked, add 1 tsp salt and 2 tbsp soy sauce. Taste and adjust tastes with salt only. Transfer meatballs & soup to serving bowl and top with chopped green onions. Note – when serving, make sure you mix the soup around to mix in the oils from up on top as the soup will be very hot!
Hope you enjoy your Mom’s Japanese Meatball Dango Soup!
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Mom's Japanese Meatball Dango Soup
Ingredients
Broth
- 6 Cups Dashi
- 1 Stalk Green Onion
- 2 tbsp Japanese Sake
- 2 tbsp Soy Sauce
- 1 tsp Salt
Meatballs
- 1 Cup Onion Chopped , about 1/2 a whole onion
- 1 tbsp Vegetable Oil
- 1 lbs Ground Pork
- 1 lbs Ground Beef 20 % fat or greater
- 2 Eggs
- 3 tbsp Half & Half
- 1/2 tbsp Salt
- 1/2 tsp Black Pepper
Instructions
- Gather all the ingredients.
- Make 6 cups of Dashi and leave on simmer.
- In the meantime, chop onions.
- In a frying pan, add oil and cook onions on medium heat until translucent. Should be around 2-4 minutes. Set aside once cooked.
- Chop green onions into thin slices and set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, add and combine ground beef, ground pork, half & half, eggs, 1/2 tbsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper and grilled onions.
- Take a small amount of the meatball mix and throw from one hand to another while gently cupping the meatball with the palm of hands to form shape. Meatballs should be a little bigger than a golf ball and you should end up with ~12-16 meatballs. Note - these meatballs are very fragile, so handle with care.
- Bring Dashi to soft boil then add Japanese sake and meatballs. Lower heat to medium low, cover 7/8 ways and cook for 10-12 minutes.
- Once meatballs are cooked, add 1 tsp salt and 2 tbsp soy sauce. Taste and adjust tastes with salt only. Transfer meatballs & soup to serving bowl and top with chopped green onions. Note - when serving, make sure you mix the soup around to mix in the oils from up on top as the soup will be very hot!
Video
Nutrition
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