You’re riding through the Kii region, the sun is setting over the mountains of feudal Japan, and you’ve got a list of targets to assassinate. But then, you meet a kid named Junjiro who is deeply stressed about... soup. Specifically, he’s trying to make the perfect bowl of AC Shadows soup for Sorin, his former mentor. It’s one of those "wait, what?" moments in Assassin’s Creed Shadows that feels totally out of place until you actually sit with it for a second.
Honestly, it’s refreshing. In a game where Yasuke is smashing through gates and Naoe is sticking blades into necks, the "Soup for Sorin" quest is a quiet, almost domestic break from the chaos. It’s not just a fetch quest. It’s a character study hidden inside a recipe.
The Mystery of Master Sorin
Who even is Sorin? If you haven't been digging through the lore, he’s a monk based at Makinoodera Temple. He’s the guy who looked after Naoe while she was recovering from her injuries early on. He’s essentially the moral compass for the younger characters. He’s a "heartless" eater—not because he’s mean, but because he’s a devout Buddhist. He doesn't eat anything that had a heart. No meat. No fish.
That makes Junjiro's job incredibly hard.
Junjiro wants to make a soup that has "meaning." He’s desperate to prove he’s been listening to Sorin’s lessons about symbols and life. This is where you, playing as either Naoe or Yasuke, step in to play grocery shopper and culinary consultant.
Finding the Right Ingredients (Don't Mess This Up)
The quest takes you to Yuasa village. You have to find a merchant and pick out specific items that represent Sorin’s life. If you pick the wrong stuff, the soup is "terrible"—too much flavor but also not enough. Total disaster.
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- Konbu (Dried Kelp): This is the "must-have." Junjiro wants it because it’s brown like the dirt path of a pilgrimage and comes from the sea, symbolizing the "changing tides of life." Plus, it doesn’t have a heart.
- Shoyu (Soy Sauce): Essential for that fermented depth.
- Mochi and Daikon: The bulk of the meal.
If you try to put fish in there? Forget it. You’ll fail the "meaningful" part of the quest because it violates Sorin’s vows. It’s a small detail, but it shows Ubisoft actually did the homework on Buddhist dietary restrictions in the 16th century.
Why People Are Obsessed With the Soup Quest
There’s a weird glitch some players found. If you’re doing the tea ceremony quest for Sen no Rikyu and you invite Sorin, the game might teleport you across the map to finish the soup quest. It’s a hilarious QOL shortcut if you’re lazy, or a total immersion breaker if you’re a purist.
But beyond the bugs, the AC Shadows soup for Sorin quest is one of the few times we see the protagonists just... being people. Yasuke, this massive, intimidating warrior, stands there discussing the symbolic value of seaweed with a kid. It adds a layer of humanity to him that the "warrior" trailers didn't show.
The Hidden Dialogue
If you get the recipe right, the dialogue at the end is surprisingly sweet. Junjiro realizes that Naoe and Yasuke have "big hearts" for helping him with something so trivial. He even mentions making a "different kind of soup" for Yasuke later. It’s these small, non-violent interactions that build the bond between the two leads and the world they’re supposed to be protecting.
It’s easy to get lost in the "Shinbakufu" assassinations or the gear grinding. But the soup quest serves a purpose. It anchors the game in the culture of the time. Eating wasn't just about calories; it was about philosophy.
How to Get the "Perfect" Result
Don't just buy everything at the merchant. You need to focus on the items that represent Sorin’s pilgrimage.
- Head to the ornament vendor or food merchant in Yuasa.
- Buy the Konbu (it’s specifically described as brown and from the sea).
- Grab the Shoyu.
- Avoid the fish at all costs.
When you return to Junjiro, he’ll combine these with daikon and mochi. The result is a "meaningful" broth that earns you 1250 XP and the Hay Supply cosmetic for your hideout.
Final Thoughts on Sorin’s Meal
Is it the most epic mission in the game? No. Is it the most memorable? For a lot of people, yeah. It’s the "Cakes and Pies" of AC Shadows. It reminds you that while empires are falling and temples are burning, some kid is just trying to make his teacher a nice lunch.
If you're stuck on the "League" quest board, don't skip this one. It's a level 35 quest, but you can do it pretty easily without any combat. It’s a vibe.
Next Steps for You:
Check your Hideout cosmetics after finishing the quest to ensure the Hay Supply is unlocked. If you're still missing the "Meaning of the Blade" achievement, double-check that you completed all of Junjiro's side tasks in the Izumi region, as they often chain together.