Food
Best Miso Paste 2026: 5 Compared
WriterPickly Editorial
Updated 2026-11-03
Miso is sold by colour and fermentation time: according to the listings, white miso is milder and sweeter, red miso is saltier and stronger, and awase blends the two. Tub size, refrigeration and a squeeze tube matter as much as the colour.
Quick answer
Shirakiku Red Miso is the cheapest per ounce, $11.95 for 2.2 pounds on Amazon US on November 3, 2026. Miko Awase is $9.99 for 500 grams, Hikari Organic White is $10.49 for 17.6 ounces, and Miso Master Organic Mellow White is $10.34 for 16 ounces and is listed as a refrigerated product. Yamasan Kyoto Uji White Miso comes in a 12.3 ounce squeeze tube for $20.58.
📋How we compared
We did not taste or cook with these misos ourselves. Judging flavour needs the same dishes, the same hands and repeated side-by-side tastings, which we cannot run. This comparison is built from the product titles and feature lists on the Amazon US listings, retrieved through the Amazon Creators API on November 3, 2026, and general knowledge of how miso is made. Sizes, ingredients and every other statement are the sellers' own claims. Prices change, so check the retailer.
🌿 Organic white miso: Hikari Organic Miso Paste, White comes in a 17.6 ounce container. The listing says it is USDA certified organic, gluten free, has no MSG and is a product of Japan.
Top picks ↓Related articles
1★ Best Pick🌿 Organic white misoHikari Organic Miso Paste, White 17.6 oz
Check the white variety and the 17.6 ounce size on the listing.
Hikari Organic Miso Paste, White comes in a 17.6 ounce container. The listing says it is USDA certified organic, gluten free, has no MSG and is a product of Japan. It suggests adding the paste to boiling water for miso soup or using it as a marinade. On Amazon US it was $10.49 on November 3, 2026.
Pros
- ✓USDA certified organic, per the listing
- ✓No MSG, per the listing
- ✓Product of Japan, per the listing
Cons
- ✗Short listing with no fermentation details
- ✗About $0.60 per ounce, above the Shirakiku tub
2🍲 Red and white blendMiko Awase Miso Paste 500 g
Confirm the 500 gram size; the listing gives very few details, so check the label for ingredients.
Miko Awase is a blend of red (aka) and white (shiro) miso in a 500 gram package. The listing calls it GMO free and a product of Japan and gives little else. On Amazon US it was $9.99 on November 3, 2026, the lowest sticker price here.
Pros
- ✓Red and white blend in one package
- ✓Lowest sticker price of the five
- ✓GMO free and made in Japan, per the listing
Cons
- ✗Very short listing
- ✗Ingredients and storage are not stated
3❄️ Refrigerated and organicMiso Master Organic Mellow White Miso 16 oz
This is a refrigerated product; make sure you can keep it cold on arrival.
Miso Master Organic Mellow White is a 16 ounce tub that the listing says requires refrigerated storage. It is described as organic, kosher, gluten-free, non-GMO, vegan and unpasteurized, made with organic soybeans and handmade koji rice, aged for 30 days and handcrafted in the United States. On Amazon US it was $10.34 on November 3, 2026.
Pros
- ✓Organic, vegan and non-GMO, per the listing
- ✓Aged 30 days, per the listing
- ✓Made in the United States, per the listing
Cons
- ✗Needs refrigerated storage, per the listing
- ✗About $0.65 per ounce, above the Hikari and Miko tubs
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4🥘 Big tub for cookingShirakiku Traditional Red Miso Paste 2.2 lb
Check that this is the red variety in the 2.2 pound tub and that you have room for it.
Shirakiku Traditional Red Miso is a 2.2 pound tub. The listing describes an aged red miso, saltier than white, aimed at chefs and larger batches such as black cod miso, braises and soups. On Amazon US it was $11.95 on November 3, 2026, about $0.34 per ounce.
Pros
- ✓Lowest price per ounce of the five
- ✓2.2 pounds suits frequent cooking
- ✓Red miso for a stronger flavour, per the listing
Cons
- ✗A large tub takes room in the kitchen
- ✗The listing does not say how to store it
5🪄 Squeeze tubeYamasan Kyoto Uji Sweet White Miso Squeeze Tube 12.3 oz
Check the 12.3 ounce tube size and the six month shelf life from manufacture.
Yamasan Kyoto Uji Sweet White Miso comes in a 12.3 ounce squeeze tube. The listing describes a pale, mild white miso made with soybeans and a high ratio of rice koji, with non-GMO soybeans and no preservatives or artificial colours, flavours or additives. It says to keep it in the refrigerator. On Amazon US it was $20.58 on November 3, 2026.
Pros
- ✓Squeeze tube for one-hand use
- ✓Non-GMO soybeans and rice koji, per the listing
- ✓Mild white style, per the listing
Cons
- ✗About $1.67 per ounce, the highest here
- ✗Shelf life of 6 months from manufacture, per the listing
White, red and awase
The Yamasan listing describes white miso as made with a high ratio of rice koji and a short fermentation, giving a pale, mild paste. The Shirakiku listing says its red miso is aged longer than white miso for a saltier taste. The Miko title says Awase, a blend of red (aka) and white (shiro). The Miso Master listing says its mellow white is aged for 30 days.
Size, price per ounce and storage
Per ounce the prices work out to about $0.34 for Shirakiku, $0.57 for Miko, $0.60 for Hikari, $0.65 for Miso Master and $1.67 for Yamasan. The Miso Master listing says it requires refrigerated storage, and the Yamasan listing says to keep it in the refrigerator, with a shelf life of 6 months from the date of manufacture. The other listings do not say, so follow the package.
Organic, gluten free and other labels
The Hikari listing says USDA certified organic, no MSG, gluten free and a product of Japan. The Miso Master listing says organic, kosher, gluten-free, non-GMO and vegan, made in the United States. The Miko listing says GMO free, and the Yamasan listing says non-GMO soybeans with no preservatives. These labels are the sellers' own statements, so check the package.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between white and red miso?▼
Does miso need to be refrigerated?▼
How do I use miso paste?▼
Check the details of the products in this article
Prices change. Check the retailer for the current price.
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