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Kabocha Squash Soup

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soups•japanese•vegetarian, contains dairy, gluten-free
45 minutes•4 servings•

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds kabocha squash – peeled, seeded, cut into 1-inch chunks (~1 medium kabocha squash)
  • 8 ounces onion – thinly sliced (~1.5 medium onions)
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 4 cups vegetable stock
  • 1 1/2 cups whole milk
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1 1/4 tsp kosher salt
  • 1/4 tsp white pepper – finely ground
  • heavy cream – for serving
  • chives – finely snipped (for serving)
Kabocha Squash Soup

Instructions

  1. 1.

    Prepare the squash by peeling, removing the seeds, and cutting it into 1-inch chunks. Thinly slice the onion.

  2. 2.

    Melt the butter in a medium pot over medium heat. Add the sliced onion and cook, stirring, until translucent and soft but not browned, 6–8 minutes.

  3. 3.

    Add the kabocha squash to the pot and stir to coat with the butter and onions, 1–2 minutes.

  4. 4.

    Pour in the vegetable stock and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce to a gentle simmer, cover partially, and cook until the squash is very tender and easily smashed with a spoon, 15–20 minutes.

  5. 5.

    Remove from the heat. Blend the soup until completely smooth using an immersion blender, or carefully in batches in a countertop blender; return the soup to the pot if needed.

  6. 6.

    Stir in the whole milk and the 0.5 cup heavy cream. Warm gently over low heat until steaming but not boiling, 3–5 minutes.

  7. 7.

    Season with 1 tsp of the kosher salt and the white pepper. Taste and stir in up to the remaining 0.25 tsp salt as needed.

  8. 8.

    Ladle into bowls and garnish with a drizzle of heavy cream and a sprinkle of snipped chives if desired. Serve hot.

Kabocha Squash Soup is a silky, gently sweet potage made from Japanese kabocha, whose dense flesh purées into a velvety, vibrant orange bowl. The flavor balances natural squash sweetness with savory depth, typically supported by onions, stock, and dairy for a creamy finish. It is comforting yet refined, equally suited to a simple weeknight dinner or a polished starter.

In Japan, this soup is part of the yoshoku tradition—Western-influenced dishes adapted to local tastes—often called kabocha no potage. It gained popularity alongside creamed soups introduced in the late 19th to early 20th centuries and has since become a staple in cafés, school lunches, and home kitchens. The dish is commonly served hot in cooler months, though it can also be chilled, reflecting its versatility and enduring appeal.