- Easy
- 25 min
- 2 serv.
- 8 synergies
- Now at its best: Spinach
A clear, savoury soup with golden tempeh, miso, mushrooms, spinach and fresh ginger. Ideal as a light lunch or simple evening bowl when you want something warm, salty and deep in flavour without it feeling heavy.
This soup feels modern and reassuring at the same time. The tempeh picks up a golden edge and a nutty depth in the pan, the mushrooms make the broth earthier and fuller, and the miso pulls everything together into a quiet salty umami that lingers. Ginger keeps the whole bowl lively, while the spinach wilts just enough at the end to stay fresh and green. The result is a bowl that does not shout, yet keeps your attention: light, warm, fermented, faintly toasty and just rich enough to eat slowly.
- 10
- min prep
- 15
- min cook
- 25
- min total
Nutritional Synergies
This recipe combines ingredients that enhance each other:
Fresh ginger 
Gluten-free tamari Asian umami base with bioactive action
Technical: Ginger contains gingerols and shogaols that modulate COX-2. Tamari (gluten-free soy sauce) provides umami flavor plus fermented compounds supporting gut flora. Together they form the base of many Asian dishes and offer both flavor and bioactive action.
What does this mean for you? Ginger + tamari is the base of stir-fries, marinades and dressings. Two ingredients that enhance each other's flavor and combine bioactive compounds.
DigestionAnti-inflammatory
Spring onions 
Tempeh Allicin improves iron absorption from plant sources
Technical: Tofu contains 5.4mg non-heme iron per 100g, but also phytate (inositol hexaphosphate) that binds iron. Green onion's sulfur compounds (allyl sulfides) reduce phytate binding through pH lowering in the gut. Vitamin C in green onion (18.8mg/100g) reduces Fe³⁺ to Fe²⁺ for better absorption via DMT-1 transport proteins.
What does this mean for you? Always garnish tofu with green onion — the sulfur compounds free iron that would otherwise remain bound to phytate. Essential for vegetarians and vegans relying on plant-based iron.
EnergyGeneral Wellness
Gluten-free white miso Fresh ginger Japanese soup base: enzymes + gingerols
Technical: Miso contains Aspergillus oryzae enzymes (amylase, protease) that support digestion, plus isoflavones. Ginger contains gingerols that speed up gastric emptying. Together they optimize digestion through complementary mechanisms: miso enzymes break down food components, gingerols promote gut transit.
What does this mean for you? Add grated ginger to your miso soup just before serving (don't boil with miso — this kills the enzymes). This is an authentic Japanese variation.
DigestionAnti-inflammatory
Sesame oil Fresh ginger Asian cooking base: lignans + gingerols via complementary pathways
Technical: Sesame oil contains sesamin and sesamolin (lignans) with antioxidant action. Ginger contains gingerols that modulate COX-2. Both compounds influence NF-κB via complementary mechanisms. The fat in sesame oil also improves absorption of fat-soluble gingerols.
What does this mean for you? Start Asian dishes with sesame oil + ginger as flavor base. This is the fundamental start of wok dishes and combines two bioactive compounds via complementary pathways.
Anti-inflammatoryDigestion
Fresh spinach Sesame oil Sesame oil increases fat-soluble vitamin absorption from spinach 3-5x
Technical: Spinach contains vitamin K (483μg/100g, 400% RDI), beta-carotene and lutein - all fat-soluble. Sesame oil contains lignans (sesamin) that act as antioxidants and 50% monounsaturated fats that stimulate micelle formation.
What does this mean for you? Drizzle spinach with sesame oil (Korean/Japanese style) for maximum nutrient absorption. This is why namul (Korean spinach) is always made with sesame oil.
EnergyGeneral WellnessSkin & Hair
Gluten-free tamari Sesame oil Fermented soy isoflavones + sesamol for antioxidant protection
Technical: Tamari contains fermentation-released isoflavones (genistein, daidzein) that work synergistically with sesame oil's sesamol and sesaminol. Together they provide broader antioxidant protection via different radical scavenging mechanisms.
What does this mean for you? A splash of tamari with sesame oil as dressing or stir-fry sauce gives not only umami flavor but also a double antioxidant effect.
Anti-inflammatoryHeartSkin & Hair
Tempeh Fresh ginger Protein digestion + bioactive gingerols
Technical: Tempeh's Rhizopus oligosporus mycelium has already started protein breakdown during fermentation — proteins are partially hydrolyzed and more digestible. Ginger's gingerols speed up gastric emptying by ~25%. Together they optimize protein digestion: tempeh makes protein 'pre-digested', ginger accelerates further breakdown.
What does this mean for you? Fry tempeh with fresh ginger and tamari — a classic Indonesian preparation. The ginger not only helps flavor-wise but also ensures you maximize protein utilization from tempeh. Ideal after exercise.
DigestionAnti-inflammatory
Water Fresh ginger Hydration + gingerols for digestion and metabolism
Technical: Water is the medium for all biochemical reactions and nutrient transport. Ginger's gingerols (1.5-3%) are water-soluble and optimally extracted in warm water. Gingerols are studied in research in relation to thermogenesis and digestion. Warm ginger water contains dissolved gingerols.
What does this mean for you? Start your day with warm ginger water — slice fresh ginger and steep for 10 minutes. It gives a warm, spicy start to your day and hydrates at the same time.
DigestionWeight LossEnergy
Ingredients (9)
+7 more ingredientsInstructions
- 1 Cut the tempeh into small cubes, slice the mushrooms and thinly slice the spring onions. Finely grate the ginger.
- 2 Heat the sesame oil in a soup pot over medium heat and cook the tempeh for 4-5 minutes, until the edges turn golden.
Nutrition per serving
Indicative values per serving.
Timing & Suitability
Shelf life: 3 days in fridge
Tags & Diet
Allergens: Soy, Sesame