Benihana Mushroom Soup Recipe

Few restaurant soups have earned the fan following that Benihana’s famous mushroom soup enjoys. With its clear, flavorful broth and perfectly tender mushrooms, it’s a light yet comforting Benihana Mushroom Soup Recipe you can now make at home.

This soup blends a rich chicken-and-beef stock base with fresh vegetables, creating layers of deep umami flavor. The secret lies in slowly caramelizing the vegetables to develop a golden, savory richness before simmering everything into a fragrant broth.

Whether you’re looking for an impressive appetizer or a cozy weeknight meal, this Benihana Mushroom Soup brings the signature taste of the restaurant straight to your kitchen-no reservation needed.

What Does Benihana Mushroom Soup Taste Like?

This soup is wonderfully light yet full of flavor. The broth has a delicate balance of savory chicken, rich beef undertones, and the natural sweetness of slow-cooked vegetables.

The mushrooms add an earthy depth, while the scallions bring a fresh, mild sharpness. Every spoonful feels clean and satisfying, making it a perfect starter before a hearty main course.

Topped with crispy fried onions, you get a subtle crunch that contrasts beautifully with the silky broth. It’s both simple and elegant, just like the one served at Benihana.

Ingredients Required for Benihana Mushroom Soup Recipe

Here’s the list of Ingredients you’ll need to make this Benihana Mushroom Soup

Soup Base:

• 8 teaspoons granulated chicken soup base
• 8 teaspoons granulated beef soup base
• 2 cups boiling water

Vegetables:

• 4 large garlic cloves, smashed
• 3 large celery stalks, chopped
• 1 large sweet onion, chopped
• 3 large carrots, chopped
• 1 cup scallion greens, thinly sliced
• 8 oz button mushrooms, thinly sliced

Other:

• 2 tablespoons pure sesame oil
• 6 cups water
• ½ teaspoon black peppercorns
• Durkee fried onions (for garnish)

Kitchen Utensil You’ll Need

1. Large soup pot or wok
2. Heat-resistant glass container
3. Whisk
4. Measuring spoons and cups
5. Sharp knife and cutting board
6. Fine mesh strainer or kitchen spider
7. Soup cups for serving

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes

How to Make Benihana Mushroom Soup

Simply follow the steps given below to make your Benihana Mushroom Soup at home

1. Make the soup base: In a heat-resistant glass container, whisk the chicken and beef soup bases into 2 cups of boiling water until dissolved.

2. Sauté vegetables: In a very hot soup pot or wok, heat sesame oil until shimmering. Add celery, onion, carrots, and garlic. Sauté until vegetables are deeply caramelized.

3. Add base and peppercorns: Carefully pour in the soup base mixture, add black peppercorns, and simmer for 3 minutes.

4. Build the broth: Add 6 cups of water, bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer, covered, for 45 minutes.

5. Strain the soup: Using a fine mesh strainer or kitchen spider, remove all vegetables and peppercorns, leaving a clear broth. Discard the solids.

6. Finish and serve: Add mushrooms and scallions to the broth and simmer for 3 minutes. Serve hot in soup cups topped with Durkee fried onions.

Some Tasty Ways To Customize and Serve This Benihana Mushroom Soup

1. With a Side of Hibachi Fried Rice
We’ve found that pairing this soup with homemade hibachi fried rice makes it feel just like a Benihana dinner at home. The flavors complement each other perfectly.

2. As a Light Starter Before Steak or Chicken
We often serve it before a grilled steak or teriyaki chicken. The light broth wakes up the taste buds without making you too full.

3. With a Fresh Sushi Roll
When we’re feeling fancy, we enjoy this soup alongside a simple cucumber roll or California roll. It’s a refreshing combination.

4. With Shrimp Tempura
The crisp, golden shrimp tempura adds a crunchy, rich contrast to the clean flavors of the soup. It’s one of our favorite pairings.

5. Paired with a Simple Green Salad
For a lighter meal, we’ll have a bowl of mushroom soup with a crisp green salad tossed in ginger dressing-just like at the restaurant.

6. With Steamed Dumplings
Steamed pork or vegetable dumplings on the side turn this into a comforting, filling meal. We like dipping them in soy sauce between sips of broth.

7. Alongside Edamame
We often snack on lightly salted edamame before or after the soup. It’s a healthy and satisfying combination.

8. Topped with Extra Crispy Fried Onions
Sometimes we double the crispy onion topping-it adds so much flavor and crunch that we can’t resist.

9. With Garlic Butter Noodles
On cozy nights, we serve this soup with a side of garlicky butter noodles for a comforting, carb-loaded treat.

10. As Part of a Japanese-Themed Dinner
We’ve used it as the first course in a full Japanese-style dinner at home, followed by hibachi vegetables, grilled meat, and mochi ice cream for dessert.

Some Tips on This Benihana Mushroom Soup Recipe

1. Wash your veggies first
Clean all the mushrooms, carrots, celery, and scallions so your soup tastes fresh and yummy.

2. Slice mushrooms thin
Thin slices cook faster and make the soup taste just like the restaurant’s.

3. Cut veggies the same size
When carrots, celery, and onions are the same size, they cook evenly.

4. Don’t skip caramelizing
Cook the veggies until they turn golden brown. That’s what makes the broth so tasty.

5. Use hot water for the soup base
Hot water helps the chicken and beef soup base dissolve faster.

6. Strain the broth well
Use a fine mesh strainer so your soup is clear, just like Benihana’s.

7. Add mushrooms last
Put mushrooms in near the end so they stay soft but not mushy.

8. Don’t overcook scallions
Scallions cook in just a minute or two-any longer and they lose their bright taste.

9. Taste before serving
Take a spoonful and check if you want more salt or pepper before serving.

10. Top with fried onions
Crispy fried onions make it extra delicious and give it that real Benihana touch.

How to Store and Reheat Benihana Mushroom Soup

Refrigerate leftover soup in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop over medium heat until warmed through. Avoid boiling to preserve the mushrooms’ texture.

Common Queries on This Benihana Mushroom Soup Recipe

Here, we’ve got you covered with some common questions about the Benihana Mushroom Soup that people often ask.

1. What is the mushroom soup at hibachi?

From our experience, it’s a light, clear broth made with chicken and beef stock, fresh vegetables, and sliced mushrooms. It’s served as a starter before the main hibachi meal and is known for being simple yet full of flavor.

2. What makes mushroom soup taste better?

Caramelizing the vegetables before adding the broth makes all the difference. We’ve learned that slow, golden browning brings out a deep, rich flavor that makes the soup taste just like the one at Benihana.

3. What are the 5 ingredients in mushroom soup recipe?

While our version has more than five, the basic flavor comes from mushrooms, scallions, chicken stock, beef stock, and sesame oil. Those five alone give you that signature hibachi soup taste.

4. What soup do you get at Benihana?

Whenever we go, they serve their famous clear mushroom soup as a starter. It’s the same light, savory broth with mushrooms and scallions that you can now make at home.

5. Can I use only chicken broth instead of both broths?

Yes, we’ve tried it with just chicken broth before. It’s still tasty, but using both chicken and beef soup base gives it that deeper, more complex flavor.

6. Do I have to use sesame oil?

In our experience, yes-sesame oil adds that signature aroma and flavor. Without it, the soup just doesn’t have the same Benihana-style richness.

7. Can I make this soup vegetarian?

We’ve made a vegetarian version by using vegetable broth instead of chicken and beef bases. It’s lighter but still really flavorful, especially if you add extra mushrooms.

8. How thin should I slice the mushrooms?

We slice them very thin-about ⅛ inch. This way, they cook quickly and soak up the broth’s flavor without becoming too soft.

9. Can I make this soup ahead of time?

Yes! We’ve made it a day early, then reheated it gently before serving. Just wait to add the mushrooms and scallions until right before you reheat, so they stay fresh.

10. Why do they add fried onions on top?

From our taste tests, the crispy fried onions add a crunchy, savory topping that makes each spoonful more exciting. It’s a small touch that makes a big difference.

Benihana Mushroom Soup is proof that simple ingredients can create something unforgettable. With its clear, savory broth, tender mushrooms, and fresh scallions, it’s light enough to enjoy as a starter yet flavorful enough to crave on its own. Making it at home lets you enjoy that hibachi-style comfort anytime. Try it once, and you’ll see why it’s a restaurant favorite worth keeping in your own recipe collection.

Feel free to share your experience with this recipe by trying it out. Don’t forget to drop a comment and provide your feedback on the blog for us to read.