Japanese cuisine and culture are taking the west by storm. And why not? It really is a great culture and the food is equally as delicious. Now, if you are looking to make their famed miso soup or even ramen you need miso. But I’m sure most people are not familiar with buying miso from grocery stores in the USA. So, where is miso in grocery stores? More specifically, which aisle?
You can find miso in the refrigerated section near the tofu. It can also be in the produce aisle. It varies from store to store, but that is the general place where you can find it. If you are completely lost, you can always ask the staff for help.
That is not all though. There is more to it. Before you go out and buy it, knowing what miso is and what kinds of miso there are will help you get a better understanding. Plus, I even outlined stores and markets where you can find miso.
What Types of Miso Can You Buy From Grocery Stores?
There are basically four types of miso that you can find in grocery stores throughout the USA. These are White Miso, Yellow Miso, Red Miso, and Mixed Miso.
The basic ingredients for miso are pretty simple actually. It is made from barley or rice, and soybeans. If you prefer soy-free, do not worry. There are soy-free options as well. In fact, it can also be made from other legumes like chickpeas and azuki. This will give you a soy-free yet a delicious option.
Let’s take a brief look at the various types of miso you can buy from your nearest grocery stores:
White Miso
This is the most beginner-friendly miso. If you are just starting out exploring miso, I recommend this one. White miso is called Shiro miso sometimes. It is made with a very little salt and tends to have more rice as compared to soybeans.
Yellow Miso
Next up is yellow miso. Since yellow miso uses barley as the core grain so the color tends to be slightly yellowish. Thus, the name. This one is on the lighter side and has an earthy flavor. While white miso is sweet, this one isn’t that sweet.
Red Miso
If you want bold flavors to your stews and meats, red miso is where it is at. In Japan, red miso is also called ‘aka miso’. The bold flavor comes from fermenting it much longer and also using ample amounts of soybeans.
Mixed Miso
This one is pretty self-explanatory, isn’t it? Mixed miso contains a variety of miso paste. You can combine red and white miso to create a great balance between the two flavors. Another name for mixed miso is awase miso.
Where Can You Find Miso?
When searching for miso remember that it’s refrigerated. So, you are most likely to find it by the produce section or other refrigerated items. Things like dressings and similar items should have miso around them somewhere. Make sure to check those aisles if you are shopping for fresh miso paste.
For those who are looking for shelf-stable miso, you can probably find it in the international food aisle where other similar Japanese condiments are stored. If you find yourself in Kroger or Safeway for example, do not forget to look there.
What you need to keep in mind is that miso can sometimes be labeled as soybean paste. Not knowing this little bit of information can lead you to walk right past it without even noticing that it was miso all along.
You will surely find it in health food stores like Whole Foods. Asian groceries are also a sure-shot. But if you are looking for a specific type of miso that isn’t found in the states or outside Japan, then your best bet might be to order online.
Are Different Types of Miso Kept in Different Places?
The answer is no. No matter whether you want to buy yellow, red or white miso, you should find it all in the same place. Which is by the refrigerated section or produce section.
This is logically what it’s supposed to be. But sometimes it’s not that straightforward. The thing about shopping for miso is it actually depends. You cannot be sure since different groceries and local Japanese stores may keep them in different aisles. But the general rule of thumbs for finding it is the same.
And hey, if you are having trouble, you can just ask for help from an employee. I am sure they will be more than happy to help you.
Which Grocery Stores Sell Miso?
Miso is getting increasingly popular. That is why you do not need to visit only Japanese grocery stores to buy miso. You can buy it from big-name stores like Kroger and Walmart as well. Here are the names of stores you can easily buy miso from.
Walmart
Walmart is a great option since you can buy what you want either online or offline. If you are lost, you can use the store locator to check the availability beforehand. This way you can be sure you will find what you want.
Safeway
Another big name store you will find miso in is Safeway. You can find brands like Roland Shiro miso. Safeway is also great for those who are looking for yellow miso. Cold Mountain is a great choice.
By the way, Cold Mountain and Miso master can also be found in Publix stores. That’s something worth keeping in mind.
Whole Foods
How can we have an article on finding miso andnot include WholeFoods. For many people, Whole Foods is the default option when they want to buy miso. You can find refrigerated miso in the produce section with other ingredients like fermented veggies.
Kroger
Kroger is also, a great place to buy miso. It will generally have a couple of options to choose from. Kroger might not be as popular as some of the previously mentioned grocery stores but you can definitely find miso there if you have one close to your home.
Local Food or Health Store and Asian Markets
Lastly, you cannot leave out your local food/health stores and the trusted Asian markets. If you are not near a grocery store, these options will surely save you in a pinch. Natural food stores are a good place to search for miso.
For bargain hunters, buying from Asian stores is a good option since you may find it cheaper there.
Does Miso Paste Expire?
Anything you buy for the shelf should have a shelf life. Yes, miso can go bad. But there is some good news as well. Generally, it has a pretty good shelf life. The paste itself will not become inedible per se.
But the flavor can change. Miso paste is fermented so the longer you store it the more fermented it will get which can, of course, alter the flavors. Keep that in mind. Other than that, if you store it properly, it should stay good for about a year.
Conclusion
Now that you know where is miso in grocery stores, finding it should be a breeze. A lot of people may get overwhelmed with the flavors and searching to buy them. After reading this article it should be much easier.
So, what are you waiting for? Grab some right now and try out a couple of new recipes for yourself!