Miso: From Japanese Classics to Everyday Umami

Bonnie Chung

Book cover for Miso: From Japanese Classics to Everyday Umami
Image for variant 9780008739508
Book cover for Miso: From Japanese Classics to Everyday Umami
Image for variant 9780008739508

Miso: From Japanese Classics to Everyday Umami

Miso: From Japanese Classics to Everyday Umami

Bonnie Chung

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Description

In this expanded and completely revised edition, miso is recognised as the hero ingredient, the chef's secret added extra that has entered the Western mainstream to bring extra umami to everyday cooking.

Miso is the ultimate guide to miso - explaining what it is and how to make it, the different types of miso, its endless versatility, and how to use it to balance and enhance the flavours in your cooking.

'As a fan of Bonnie Chung's approach and palate, I'm delighted to have this beautiful new edition!' - Nigella Lawson

'This ingredient belongs in every kitchen, and Bonnie shows us exactly why - with creativity, knowledge, and heart.' - Crystelle Pereira

'What a stunning, in-depth, and thoughtful celebration of miso.' - Kenji Morimoto

'This book brings me so much joy! Bonnie is the undisputed queen of miso. A must-read!' - Jonathan Hope

Miso is fast becoming a vital ingredient for everyday cooking. In this gorgeous book, miso expert Bonnie Chung shares the insider know-how, equipping you with the knowledge to elevate your everyday recipes - to make a simple cheese toastie or a brownie truly unforgettable.

This essential guide covers traditions, types and tasting notes on the fermented soybean paste, looking at its impressive health benefits and explaining how to use it as a clever umami flavour-booster. It even includes a guide to fermentation and making your own miso, and introduces innovative miso makers from around the world who are crafting sustainable, zero-waste miso pastes.

Bonnie offers tips and tricks throughout, explaining how a teaspoon of miso added to a tomato sauce can enrich the flavour, how to build bases for classic soups and noodle dishes, and how to cook the ultimate umami-powered Sunday Roast, with gravy that packs a punch.

With four unmissable chapters and over 80 recipes:

The Quintessential Japanese Ingredient: master timeless Japanese classics like Miso Soup, Miso Aubergines and Miso Black Cod

The Flavour Partners: pair miso with sweetness, acidity, fat and spice in recipes like Miso Apple Pork Chops, Lime and Miso Glazed Roast Salmon and Miso Udon Carbonara

The Secret Weapon: seriously supercharge your everyday cooking with an unexpected miso boost, from a Miso Bloody Mary to Bonnie's Best-ever Triple Umami Lasagne

The Dessert Twist: discover how home bakers and pastry chefs are using miso to elevate desserts, with recipes including Miso Apple Pie and Miso Brown Butter Banana Bread with Miso Custard

About the Author

Bonnie Chung is an award-winning entrepreneur and founder of FMCG food brand Miso Tasty, now owned by Belazu. Her successful product range including miso pastes and cooking sauces is available in over 5,000 stores across the UK, Australia, South Africa and Canada, including Tesco, Waitrose, Sainsbury's, Woolworths Australia, Wholefoods and Ocado. In 2025, the Miso Tasty white miso was awarded 3 Gold Stars and the Golden Fork at the Great Taste Awards. Bonnie is the author of Miso Tasty and Tofu Tasty. Miso Tasty was selected for the Gourmand World Cookbook Awards 2017 and was named in The Independent's Top 10 cookbooks of 2016. Bonnie is also a regular guest on Channel 4's Sunday Brunch.

Critical Reviews

'As a fan of Bonnie Chung's approach and palate ... I'm delighted to have this beautiful new edition. Of course (and partly through Chung's efforts) miso is a much more familiar and widely accessible ingredient than it was over here a decade ago. I love its rich, deep savouriness with an almost indefinable caramelly undertone, and draw on it often when I cook; Chung is spot-on in labelling it The Secret Weapon and this book, as well as explaining the science and history of miso, is an excellent guide as to how to wield it.' - Nigella Lawson

'This book is everything I could wish for and more! A brilliant celebration of miso - expertly written, deeply knowledgeable, and endlessly inspiring. This ingredient belongs in every kitchen, and Bonnie shows us exactly why - with creativity, knowledge, and heart.' - Crystelle Pereira

'What a stunning, in-depth, and thoughtful celebration of miso. Beyond the beautiful recipes, captivating stories, and evocative photos, it's Bonnie's time, dedication, and deep reflection on miso as an ingredient that make this book so special.' - Kenji Morimoto

'This book brings me so much joy! Bonnie is the undisputed queen of miso. She opened my eyes to using miso as a universal flavour booster - the 'secret weapon', as she calls it. Whenever I feel there is something missing or lacking in my food, I reach for miso. A must-read for the aspiring as well as the seasoned chef!' - Jonathan Hope

'This is a love letter to the world's greatest seasoning. A thorough guide through the past, present, and future of miso, by one of its most dedicated advocates. Full of delightful, delicious surprises, whether you're a miso newbie or a seasoned miso pro.' - Tim Anderson

Publishing Information

Publisher: Pavilion Books
Pub date: 2026-01-20
Length: 224 pages

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