Soups Around the World
With winter soon coming upon us, soup is going to be a popular dish to help warm us from the inside and out, so if you’re looking for a little variety beyond just chicken soup, here are some ethnic soup options that may just hit the spot.
You’ve already learned a little bit about ramen, but let’s get a little more souped up education. Even if the ones below don’t catch your fancy, hopefully, it’ll open your eyes to new possibilities.
Borscht from Russia and Poland [BOHR-sht]
Originally from Russia and Poland, borscht is a soup made with fresh beets. It can be prepared using an assortment of vegetables, or with meat and meat stock, or with a combination of both. Borscht can be served hot or cold; it should always be garnished with a dollop of sour cream.
Bouillabaisse from France [BOOL-yuh-BAYZ, BOOL-yuh-BEHZ]
A celebrated seafood stew from Provence, made with an assortment of fish and shellfish, onions, tomatoes, white wine, olive oil, garlic, saffron and herbs. The stew is ladled over thick slices of French bread.
Congee from China [KON-jee]
A soup of boiled rice and water, which serves as a background for a host of other foods including fish, shrimp, chicken, peanuts, sesame seed and eggs. In China, where it’s also known as jook or juk , congee is particularly popular for breakfast
Menudo from Mexico [meh-NOO-doh, meh-NOO-thoh]
Long touted as a hangover cure, menudo is particularly popular in Mexico on New Year’s morning. It’s a hearty, spicy soup made with tripe, calf’s feet, green chiles, hominy and seasonings. It’s usually garnished with lime wedges, bowls of chopped chiles and onion and served with hot tortillas.
Mulligatawny Soup from India [muhl-ih-guh-TAW-nee]
The name derives from the Tamil, a people inhabiting southern India and the surrounding area, and means “pepper water.” This soup is based on a rich meat or vegetable broth highly seasoned with curry and other spices. It usually contains bits of chicken (sometimes other meats), and can also include rice, eggs, coconut shreds and even cream.
© Copyright Barron’s Educational Services, Inc. 1995 based on THE FOOD LOVER’S COMPANION, 2nd edition, by Sharon Tyler Herbst.
Want to check out some of these more unusual soups? Then look below for some restaurant recommendations.
Borscht
Traktir
8151 Santa Monica Blvd
West Hollywood, CA 90046
(323) 654-3030
Bouillabaisse
Le Central
112 E 8th Ave
Denver, CO 80203
(303) 863-8094
Congee
Mike’s Noodle House
418 Maynard Ave S
Seattle, WA 98104
(206) 389-7099
Menudo
Brothers Taco House
1604 Dowling St
Houston, TX 77003
(713) 223-0091
Mulligatawny
Gaylord India Restaurant
100 E Walton St
Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 664-1700
