Annie Chun’s Miso Soup

March 15, 2006 | Reviewer: Abi

Annie Chun Miso Soup

Price: 2 for $3.00 at Whole Foods
Size: 5.4 oz (plus water that you add)
Calories: 230
Fat: 4%, 2.5g
Cholesterol: 0%, 0mg
Sodium: 37%, 890mg
Protein: 6g
Carbs: 15%, 45g
Fiber: 8%, 2g
WW Points: 4 Points

Annie Chun says: All Natural Asian Cuisine. Miso Soup with Tofu and Scallions.

Abi says: Miso is soybean paste and the de riguer beginning to most meals I eat at Japanese places. I love it for the floating bits of kelp, hidden tofu gems, and biting chunks of green onion. I also like drinking things straight from bowls. Things being soup.

Annie Chun instructs me, on the front of the box, to “Microwave 1 Minute”. While this isn’t a lie, it doesn’t exactly give you the whole truth either. Along with your Freshpak bowl of soft noodles, you’ll get a packet of soybean paste and a freeze-dried lump of tofu, green onion, and spinach. This all involves a lot of mixing and waiting for items to a) disolve or b) become engorged with water. This is a lot of waiting for some glorified fermented bean paste and ramen.

In the end, Annie Chun’s Miso is filling, but awkward. Heavy, pasty (should that have an ‘e’ somewhere?) noodles distract from the purity of the dish, reducing from-the-bowl slurpability, and the spices come through as musky and aged rather than pungent and piquant.

comments

9 Responses to “Annie Chun’s Miso Soup”

Sue Brown on September 21st, 2006

I tried her soup that had or was supposed to have shitake mushrooms (none in) and bok joy and it was bland and terrible! No flavor, no mushrooms. I don’t think I’d ever want to try any of her products again.
amy on October 12th, 2006

I had a slightly different version (udon?) and it was good. the soup broth concentrate was flavorful and the noodles were a good texture. I think it may have been the one Sue refers to above. I bought more.
Ana Spizan on October 12th, 2006

I truly enjoy the Miso soup. My method of cooking it, is to not use the plastic bowl in which it comes, but to use a same sized microwaveable bowl. Before opening the the green spice packet, I use my fingers to crumble the contents. Open the packet, and place it into the bowl with a small amount of water. Next, add the miso packet and stir. Add the noodles and enough water as I would like to have as soup. Microwave for 2 minutes. Delicious.
Anna on March 23rd, 2007

I wanted to leave a comment, though not for this product, but one from the same brand. Let me say first that I am a big fan of Asian food, and so have tried the Annie Chun’s Teriyaki Bowl, which tasted watered down, and the Noodle Express Spicy Szechuan Noodles. I was deeply disappointed both times. The latter meal smelled awful, with a bland taste and texture. Also, I can’t agree more about not finishing the whole box. I got to 3/4 and felt like being sick. This is one brand that I will never buy again.
Winn on April 23rd, 2007

I got the Miso Soup. Nothing like the picture. The tofu was 2 - 1/4″ pieces and were gey-biege in color. Veggies - OK. Lots of somewhat rubbery noodles and mediocre taste. Skip it…must be something better out there.
sarah on May 17th, 2007

I just tried the Thai Tom Yum soup and it was absolutely delicious!!! I didn’t need to microwave it also, I poured boiling water over the noodles to soften them, drained them added the soup base mixed it in well, then I burried the dried vege “cube” under the noodles and poured more boiling water over top, let it sit for a minute and it was amazing….
Kim on September 16th, 2007

Just found this site and am having a ball realizing that I’m not the only one who will try all this crap to avoid doing any real “cooking” (including assembly of non-heated foods, like salads and sandwiches). Got to add my $0.02 to this one…I don’t know what authentic miso soup is supposed to taste like, but the smell of this one (when a coworker was making it) intrigued me and I’m hooked!! For the past 2 years, this has been one of my staples…at least 2/week and it’s easy to store in a desk drawer until needed. Like Ana, I crush up the seasonings before adding them to the bowl and I usually cook for 2-2.5 minutes and then let it sit at least 5 before eating, so the noodles will absorb more flavor. LOVE IT! And love this site!!
s on February 17th, 2008

I love this soup! I eat it a lot. I try making my own miso but it never tastes as good as this :>
Lillian Godman on February 19th, 2008

I tried the Miso soup and loved the flavor. Unfortunately, I tried to buy more at Stater Bros., Vons, and Ralphs, but none has carried any more. I bought the original at Stater Bros. The noodles were especially delicious. Now, if I can just find a store in the area that has that Miso soup.