Thank You: thanks Cathy for your information, more

Cathy,

That whole lot on miso soup did open up my eyes! Yes, my mother uses wakame seaweed in the miso soup instead. But she sometimes uses the dried one as it's more rediy available (in our place back home anyway...) **It's a "cheat"! ^__^ Also, I 100% agree with your opinions on homemade dashi stock amd miso. (My mother makes those herself as well.) However, it's rather difficult for me to adjust those traditional techniques here, i.e. I can't find really fresh bonito fish. (And to be honest, more time-consuming for me as I have other work to do...) **More excuses if you are willing to listen on! Anyway, the bonito shavings are the one ingredient Chris really likes so I normally add it in the miso soup I make (though my mother usually says,"NO!!!" ^__^ Thanks for your insight. I have learned a lot from you indeed. And yes, you are more than welcome to use whatever I said here as examples (so long as I don't get into trouble!)