Begin by heating 4 cups of your choice of vegetable or light chicken broth in a medium pot over medium heat. Allow the broth to warm until it’s steaming but not boiling, about 5 minutes.

In a small bowl, take about 1/4 cup of warm broth and whisk in 3 tablespoons of miso paste until completely dissolved. Pour the miso mixture back into the pot and stir well to combine.

Grate or finely chop a 1-inch piece of fresh ginger and add it to the simmering broth. Stir gently and let everything simmer together for another 5 minutes.

Squeeze in the juice of one fresh lemon, adjusting the amount based on your taste preference. Stir thoroughly to blend the zesty notes of lemon with the warm flavors.

Taste the soup and adjust seasoning. Let it simmer for an additional 2 minutes to meld the flavors together.

Ladle the soup into bowls and top with optional thinly sliced scallions. Serve hot.