Miso is one seasoning that’s underrated in the United States. This flexible seasoning makes a lovely vegan cheese sauce, can help balance the sweetness of baked goods, and can even be used to make indulgent dressings for your salads.
But because it’s not as popular here in the west as it is in other places around the world, there are quite a few questions about miso. One thing you might find yourself wondering is what the different kinds of miso are and what separates them.
Today, we’ll be discussing what mellow white miso is, how to use it, and if there are any ingredients you can substitute it with.
What is Mellow White Miso?
Mellow is just another name that’s sometimes applied to white miso. Some call it mellow white miso simply because it has a gentler flavor than other types of miso, such as red.
Want to know what it’s called in Japanese? If you were calling it by its traditional name, you’d call it shiro miso instead.
How Do You Use Mellow White Miso?
At the beginning of this article, we gave you just a small sample of what you can use mellow white miso for: vegan cheese sauces and dressings. However, this delightful and mild seasoning has more uses beyond those two.
You can use it to replace dairy in a wide range of recipes. It can also be used to make a light soup, suitable for the hotter parts of the year. White miso even makes a great addition to some sauces.
If you want to get really traditional, you should try using it to make ramen. For some inspiration, take a look at this phenomenal vegan miso ramen recipe below.
What is a Substitute for White Miso?
So what do you do if you’ve decided to make a miso-based dish, only to discover halfway through cooking that you don’t have any miso? No need to panic – there are some substitutes you can use.
In terms of texture, tahini paste is a great alternative to white miso. Unfortunately, it doesn’t really taste like miso, so you may need to use some additional salt to make up for the difference in taste.
For a similar taste, look towards soy sauce. Its salty flavor profile is very reminiscent of miso.
And if you don’t have either of those things, your last resort can be vegetable stock or salt. Salt won’t fully capture the umami of miso, but it will, of course, mimic the saltiness. Vegetable stock, on the other hand, will help imitate the flavor.
When you have the time, consider grabbing some miso from the grocery store. If you’re not sure where, you read our guide to where white miso is located in the grocery store.
Wrap Up
Miso is the perfect seasoning to add to your pantry to broaden your palate. It’s used in many international dishes. If you think it’s a little too salty, though, then you’ll love white or mellow miso – its milder taste is ideal for dipping your toes into Japanese cuisine.
Hey, I’m Joey. I’ve been cooking since I was a little kid and love everything about it. You can find my writing about food, kitchen appliances (such as blenders) and much more. Thanks for stopping by!
