Benihana French Onion Soup Recipe
I really love Benihana. I mean, who doesn’t, right? The show, the food, the fun-it’s all just so cool. Every time I go, I get super excited. And you know what? One of my favorite parts is that little bowl of soup they bring out before the meal starts. It’s warm, tasty, and just makes you feel cozy inside.
So today, guess what we’re making? Yep, that soup! The onion soup from Benihana. It’s super simple to make, and you don’t need anything fancy.
So today, guess what we’re making? Yep, that soup! The onion soup from Benihana. It’s super simple to make, and you don’t need anything fancy.
Ingredients
- 4 cups chicken broth plus extra in case of spills!
- 2 cups water
- 1 medium onion thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup carrots chopped
- 1/4 cup celery chopped
- 2 tablespoons shallots thinly sliced
- A handful of sliced mushrooms white button or shiitake work great
- A pinch of salt to taste
- Optional: A dash of soy sauce for deeper color and umami
- French fried onions store-bought or homemade, for garnish
Instructions
- Step 1: Simmer the Broth Base
In a large pot, pour in chicken broth and water. Bring it to a gentle boil over medium-high heat. If your measuring cup is cracked (like mine was!), just keep adjusting until you’ve got the right amount.
Add in your onions, carrots, celery, and a pinch of salt. Let everything come up to a rolling boil.
Step 2: Reduce and Simmer
Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and simmer for about 10–12 minutes. This gives the vegetables time to release their flavor into the broth.
Step 3: Strain the Soup
Carefully strain out all the vegetables. You want only the broth here-no chunky bits. Rinse the pot if needed, then pour the clear, golden broth back in.
Step 4: Final Simmer
Return the pot to low heat and let the broth simmer for another 5 minutes. This helps bring all the flavors together.
Step 5: Finish with Fresh Add-Ins
Drop in a few slices of fresh mushrooms and shallots right before serving. These don’t need to cook much-they’ll soften just from the heat of the broth.
Step 6: Garnish and Serve
Ladle the soup into bowls (black ones if you want that Benihana look). Top with a handful of French fried onions for that signature crunch.
If the color seems lighter than what you remember from the restaurant, a tiny splash of soy sauce will darken it up and add extra depth. Totally optional, but highly recommended.
Video
Notes
Store Benihana French Onion Soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, warm on the stovetop over low heat until hot, or microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each. Add fresh mushrooms and fried onions just before serving for best texture and flavor. Avoid freezing, as it may affect the broth’s clarity.