It's that time of the year again...soup season! Whenever fall comes around the corner, the cool breeze and chilly environment make it the perfect time to enjoy a warm, hearty bowl of soup. But instead of making the usual chicken noodle soup, tomato soup, or broccoli cheddar soup, why not branch out a bit? Let's explore 35 amazing soup dishes from all around the world that are definitely worth giving a try.
1. Pho (Vietnam)
Pho is a Vietnamese soup consisting of broth, rice noodles, herbs, and meat, usually beef or chicken. It's known for its aromatic broth and the harmony of flavors, often served with lime wedges and fresh herbs on the side.
2. Borscht (Eastern Europe)
Borscht is a sour soup common in Eastern European countries, especially Ukraine and Russia. Made primarily with beetroot, it's known for its striking red color and is often served with a dollop of sour cream.
3. Tom Yum Goong (Thailand)
This Thai soup is famous for its distinct hot and sour flavors, with fragrant spices and herbs generously used in the broth. It typically includes shrimp (goong), mushrooms, tomatoes, lemongrass, galangal, and kaffir lime leaves.
4. Minestrone (Italy)
Minestrone is a thick Italian soup made from vegetables, often with the addition of pasta or rice. Common ingredients include beans, onions, celery, carrots, and tomatoes, with no fixed recipe, making it a versatile dish.
5. Miso Soup (Japan)
A staple in Japanese cuisine, miso soup is made from a stock called dashi, into which softened miso paste is mixed, along with ingredients like tofu, seaweed, and green onions. It's a comforting, savory soup often served as a breakfast dish.
6. French Onion Soup (France)
This classic French soup is made with caramelized onions and beef stock, typically served with croutons and melted cheese on top. The rich flavor of the slow-cooked onions is a hallmark of this dish.
7. Gazpacho (Spain)
Gazpacho is a cold soup from Spain, perfect for hot weather. It's made from raw, blended vegetables like tomatoes, bell peppers, cucumbers, and onions, and is flavored with garlic, olive oil, and vinegar.
8. Harira (Morocco)
A traditional Moroccan soup, Harira is typically consumed to break the fast during Ramadan. It's a hearty soup made from tomatoes, lentils, chickpeas, and lamb, seasoned with a blend of fragrant spices.
9. Goulash Soup (Hungary)
Originally from Hungary, this soup is a hearty mix of meat (usually beef), vegetables, and seasoned with paprika and other spices. It's more like a stew and is deeply comforting and warming.
10. Caldo Verde (Portugal)
Caldo Verde, or "green broth," is a popular soup in Portuguese cuisine. It's made with potatoes, collard greens, olive oil, and typically chorizo or similar sausage. It's simple yet packed with flavors.
11. Wonton Soup (China)
A classic Chinese soup featuring wontons (dumplings filled with seasoned pork and shrimp), vegetables, and often a light chicken or pork broth. It's both a comforting and satisfying meal.
12. Sambar (India)
Sambar is a South Indian lentil-based vegetable stew, cooked with pigeon peas and tamarind broth. It's flavorful, spicy, and often served with rice or Indian breads like dosa and idli.
13. Pozole (Mexico)
Pozole is a traditional Mexican soup made with hominy, meat (usually pork), and can be seasoned and garnished with shredded lettuce, chile peppers, onion, garlic, radishes, avocado, salsa, and/or limes.
14. Laksa (Malaysia)
Laksa is a spicy noodle soup popular in the Peranakan cuisine of Southeast Asia. It consists of rice noodles or rice vermicelli with chicken, prawn, or fish, served in spicy soup based on either rich and spicy curry coconut milk or sour asam.
15. Matzo Ball Soup (Jewish Cuisine)
A classic Jewish comfort food, this soup consists of matzo balls (dumplings made from matzo meal, eggs, water, and fat) served in chicken broth, often with carrots and celery. It's a staple dish during Passover.
16. Avgolemono (Greece)
Avgolemono is a classic Greek soup made with chicken broth, rice or orzo, and a mixture of egg and lemon, giving it a creamy texture and a tangy flavor. It's a comforting dish, often served during colder months.
17. Ajiaco (Colombia)
Ajiaco is a hearty Colombian soup made with different types of potatoes, chicken, and the Galinsoga parviflora herb. It's often garnished with capers, avocado, corn, and a dollop of cream.
18. Mulligatawny (India)
Originating from Indian cuisine, Mulligatawny soup means 'pepper water', and it's a rich, spicy soup containing lentils, carrots, apples, and rice, often flavored with coconut milk and Indian spices.
19. Sopa de Lima (Mexico)
A traditional soup from the Yucatan region, Sopa de Lima is a light, citrusy soup made with chicken broth, lime juice, shredded chicken, and often served with fried tortilla strips on top.
20. Cullen Skink (Scotland)
Cullen Skink is a thick Scottish soup made of smoked haddock, potatoes, and onions. This hearty soup is a staple in Scottish cuisine and is known for its creamy texture and smoky flavor.
21. Bun Bo Hue (Vietnam)
A spicy Vietnamese beef noodle soup, Bun Bo Hue is known for its balance of spicy, sour, salty, and sweet flavors. It typically includes beef shank, oxtail, pig's knuckles or pork, and rice vermicelli in a broth seasoned with lemongrass, annatto, and shrimp paste.
22. Ribollita (Italy)
Ribollita is a famous Tuscan soup made with bread, cannellini beans, and vegetables such as carrot, cabbage, celery, potatoes, and onion. It's a thick, hearty soup often topped with a drizzle of olive oil.
23. Zurek (Poland)
Zurek is a sour rye soup from Poland, made with sourdough and often served with boiled eggs and white sausage. It has a unique tangy flavor and is a staple during Easter.
24. Waterzooi (Belgium)
Waterzooi is a Belgian stew or soup of fish or chicken, vegetables, cream, and eggs. Traditionally made with fish from the rivers of Ghent, it's now often prepared with chicken.
25. Solyanka (Russia)
A thick, spicy, and sour Russian soup, Solyanka is made with various types of meat including beef, ham, sausage, and often smoked meats, together with pickles, capers, and olives.
26. Bisque (France)
Bisque is a smooth, creamy French soup made from lobster, crab, shrimp, or crayfish. It's known for its rich flavor and velvety texture, often served as an elegant starter in French cuisine.
27. Sinigang (Philippines)
Sinigang is a Filipino soup known for its sour and savory taste. It typically includes meat (often pork), vegetables, and a souring agent like tamarind, green mango, or calamansi.
28. Shorba (Middle East/North Africa)
Shorba is a generic term for soup in Arabic, and the recipes vary widely across Middle Eastern and North African countries. Commonly, it's a hearty soup containing lentils, chickpeas, or meat, seasoned with an array of spices.
29. Peanut Soup (West Africa)
A staple in West African cuisine, this soup is made with peanuts (or peanut butter), tomatoes, chicken, and often spices like cumin and chili. It's a rich and hearty dish, usually served with rice or fufu.
30. Kharcho (Georgia)
Kharcho is a traditional Georgian soup made with beef, rice, walnuts, and flavored with cherry plum puree and various Georgian spices. It's a rich and hearty soup, reflecting the unique flavors of Georgian cuisine.
31. Chupe de Camarones (Peru)
Chupe de Camarones is a rich and hearty Peruvian shrimp chowder. It's typically made with shrimp, potatoes, corn, and cheese, simmered in a flavorful broth often including milk. This soup is a staple in Peruvian coastal cuisine and is known for its creamy texture and depth of flavor.
32. Mohinga (Myanmar)
Mohinga is the national dish of Myanmar, primarily a breakfast soup. It consists of a hearty, herby fish broth with rice noodles, often garnished with sliced banana blossom, hard-boiled eggs, and fritters. This soup is a flavorful mix of savory, spicy, and tangy elements.
33. Callaloo (Caribbean)
Originating from the Caribbean, Callaloo is a thick, creamy soup made from leafy greens like amaranth or taro leaves, often cooked with coconut milk, okra, crab, and various seasonings. This soup is a rich, flavorful, and nutritious part of Caribbean cuisine, reflecting the region's diverse cultural influences.
34. Kimchi Jjigae (South Korea)
Kimchi Jjigae is a popular Korean stew made with kimchi, tofu, pork (or tuna), and scallions. It's known for its spicy, hearty, and warming properties, often eaten during the colder months and revered for its ability to comfort and rejuvenate.
35. Tarhana (Turkey and Greece)
Tarhana is a traditional fermented soup common in Turkish and Greek cuisines, made from a mixture of fermented grain and yogurt or fermented vegetables. It's usually cooked with water or broth and can include various ingredients like vegetables and meat. Tarhana is celebrated for its unique sour taste and comforting qualities.