Pork Bone Broth
Tonjiru is a hearty Japanese pork bone broth soup, a rich and savory variation of miso soup. It typically features a creamy, milky broth simmered from pork bones, combined with ingredients like sliced pork belly, root vegetables (such as daikon, carrot, and potato), tofu, and leafy greens. Originating as a rustic, nourishing home-style dish in Japan, it's especially popular in colder months for its warming and filling qualities.
🍽️ Nutrition at a glance
This dish is high in protein and fat due to the pork and bone broth, while carbohydrates come from the vegetables and any added starches. It provides key nutrients like collagen, calcium, and B vitamins from the bones and pork, with a typical serving ranging from 250-400 calories depending on portion size and ingredients.
Nutrition breakdown
| Calories | 85 kcal |
| Protein | 8 g |
| Carbs | 3.5 g |
| Fat | 4 g |
| Fiber | 0.8 g |
| Sugar | 1.2 g |
| Sodium | 650 mg |
| Potassium | 320 mg |
| Phosphorus | 120 mg |
| Selenium | 12 µg |
| Vitamin B12 | 0.8 µg |
| Niacin (B3) | 2.5 mg |
| Vitamin B6 | 0.3 mg |
| Zinc | 1.8 mg |
| Iron | 0.9 mg |
Per 1 cup (240 g) · estimated, varies by recipe
💡 What's interesting
Tonjiru's cloudy broth is prized for its umami depth, achieved by long simmering that extracts collagen and marrow, making it a traditional comfort food believed to support joint and skin health. Nutritionally, it's a balanced one-pot meal that embodies the Japanese principle of 'ichiju sansai' (one soup, three sides), offering both sustenance and cultural warmth.
