Soup is an integral part of human diet and a universal remedy for all occasions. Some help with colds or hangovers, others aid in weight loss, and fish soups are beneficial in all respects. April 5th is celebrated worldwide as International Soup Day, and we can’t overlook this event. Let’s take a look around the world and see which soups are popular in different countries.
1. Pho Bo (Vietnam)
Pho Bo is a traditional Vietnamese beef and noodle soup with added greens and spices. Thanks to its simplicity and affordability, it has gained wide popularity among the less affluent local population, who, surprisingly, prefer it for breakfast.
The most important part of this dish is the rich broth, which, according to the rules, should be cooked for at least 12 hours with the addition of cloves, cinnamon, ginger, saffron, and other spices. Street vendors continuously cook it throughout the day in large pots, periodically refreshing the ingredients.
This is one of those soups you have to assemble yourself. A bowl with broth, noodles, and meat pieces is served with a large amount of greens and spices, which are added to taste.
Real Pho Bo can be tried in street cafes that specialize only in this soup. Usually, it’s a simple establishment with long metal tables, generally open until 11 AM. The main sign is a large number of locals inside.
Price per serving: $1-2.
2. Palóc Leves (Hungary)
Hungary’s culinary calling card is goulash, without which no lunch is complete. As a rule, this dish ends the meal because there’s no strength to eat anything else. In restaurants, the portions are large, thick, and hearty. Therefore, Palóc Leves more resembles goulash than soup.
The main ingredients: lamb, onions, sweet and hot peppers are stewed for 2-2.5 hours, after which they are mixed with broth and only then cooked. The final touch is the addition of a dressing made of garlic, sour cream, flour, and dill, making the soup even thicker. And don’t forget about paprika, which is called “red gold” in the country. It gives the soup not only a rich color but also a rich aroma.
If you’re in Budapest, visit small establishments like Lanchid Brasserie, Hungarikum Bisztro, or For Sale Pub. They make this soup just wonderfully.
Price per serving: $3.5-4.5.
3. French Onion Soup (France)
French onion soup is a classic of French cuisine. Originating from Lyon, it was once considered food for the poor. However, gradually people appreciated it and decided that even in noble circles it would be welcome at the table. Even the wizards from the Harry Potter universe spoke highly of it.
The word “soup” comes from the Latin word “suppa,” which literally means “a piece of bread soaked in gravy,” and onion soup is a clear confirmation of this. The crouton with garlic and melted cheese placed on top of the ready portion distinguishes this dish from all others.
If you don’t like the taste of onions, don’t worry. During the cooking process, it almost disappears. No wonder white wine is added during long simmering, and 50 grams of cognac is poured into the broth. Keep in mind that this soup will warm you up at any time of the year, especially since it is prepared in almost all restaurants in France.
Price per serving: from €4.
4. Gazpacho (Spain)
Spaniards are a passionate people. Local entertainments alone are worth mentioning: bullfighting, running with the bulls, and La Tomatina — a massive tomato fight. Gazpacho soup is designed to cool the hot Spanish temper, so it is served not just cold but very cold.
Gazpacho is a soup made from crushed tomatoes, cucumbers, sweet peppers, and pickled onions. Bread crumbs are used to add thickness. All this is blended into a homogeneous mass, refrigerated for a while, and before serving, diluted with tomato juice or dry white wine.
The key to proper gazpacho is good tomatoes. The ready portion must be garnished with a sprig of greens and drizzled with lemon juice. Light and refreshing, and most importantly — rich in vitamins, this Spanish summer soup can be tried in almost any café.
Price per serving: €5.
5. Miso Soup (Japan)
If Spaniards are known for their fiery temperament, the Japanese are famous for their longevity. And it’s all because for breakfast, lunch, and dinner they eat miso soup or “misoshiru” in Japanese. This dish has remained one of the most popular in Japan for centuries.
And it’s no coincidence because miso soup is very healthy. Its unique ingredients are rich in vitamins and nutrients, which are hard to find outside Japan.
One of them is miso paste made from soybeans. The second ingredient is dried wakame seaweed. Dry fish broth dashi is also an essential part of the soup, even if the main broth is meat-based. Finally, tofu — soy cheese, cut into large chunks and placed in the bowl.
Price per serving: $2-4.
6. Żurek (Poland)
Żurek is a unique soup that you won’t find in any other cuisine in the world. However, it is prepared in almost every restaurant and even family in Poland. The rye sourdough base gives this dish its distinctive taste.
The sourdough made from rye breadcrumbs, flour, garlic, allspice, and bay leaves should ferment for about 4 days. When it acquires the smell of lightly salted cucumbers, you can start making the soup itself. Smoked sausages are boiled, carrots, potatoes, greens, boiled eggs, and sour cream are added.
Whether for economy or to attract tourists, Polish restaurants serve Żurek in a loaf of bread instead of a traditional bowl. On the other hand, it’s convenient (no dishes to wash), and most importantly — very tasty.
In the area around the Old Town Market Square in Warsaw, there are many cafes with national cuisine where you can try Żurek, but prices are lower in the Krakowskie Przedmieście district.
Price per serving: $2-3.
7. Chili con Carne (Mexico)
Mexican cuisine is famous for its spiciness, and the chili con carne soup is no exception. The name of the dish translates to “chili with meat.” Just a couple of spoonfuls of this culinary delight will turn you from an ordinary tourist into a fire-breathing dragon.
The soup itself is more like a stew. Meat, red beans, vegetables, tomato paste, and spices are added to a beef broth. Don’t forget the chili peppers. The meat is added in the form of minced meat, making this culinary masterpiece really thick. The secret ingredient is the chef’s iron nerves, as all the components need to be stewed in one pot for several hours.
Like many national dishes, chili con carne has many variations: vegetarian, with cheese and sour cream, and even with chocolate. However, spiciness is its main feature.
Price per serving: $4.5-5.5.
8. Lohikeitto (Finland)
Despite the fact that Finland produces a lot of fish, Finns eat Lohikeitto soup only on holidays. Tourists are lucky in this regard; they can try this wonderful dish any day in almost any café or restaurant in Helsinki.
A more convenient name for this soup is “creamy fish soup.” The recipe is very simple, and if you wish, you can easily make it at home. First, the fish broth is cooked, and closer to the end, 20% cream is added. A couple of tablespoons of butter won’t hurt either. And if you let the soup sit for a day, it will become even tastier.
Finland is one of the most expensive countries in Europe, so if you decide to dine in a restaurant, pay attention to the Kalakeitto soup. This is a cheaper option where white fish is used instead of red, and milk instead of cream.
Price per serving: €11-12.
9. Bird’s Nest Soup (China)
It’s hard to imagine how someone came up with the idea of eating bird nests. The soup made from swiftlet nests is one of the strangest and most expensive dishes in the world. Just imagine: the price for 1 kg of nests can reach $10,000.
But it’s not surprising, as nest collectors literally risk their lives at work, climbing cliffs on flimsy wooden ladders. “Harvesting” occurs infrequently: only three times a year, and the labor-intensive cleaning process further increases the cost of the finished product.
The soup is considered very healthy and, with prolonged consumption, is believed to improve the function of almost all organs. The bird nests are soaked in chicken broth, and the ready portion is sprinkled with green onions and ham. Cooked bird nests have a jelly-like consistency and are not to everyone’s taste.
Price per serving: $30-100.
10. Shkembe Chorba (Bulgaria)
Shkembe Chorba is a must-have dish on the menu of any self-respecting national restaurant in Bulgaria. It is a spicy, hearty, and for some people, incredibly delicious soup that is popular among Bulgarians.
It is made from lamb or beef tripe. During cooking, the tripe emits a terrible “aroma,” so only the most resilient can go through the whole process at home. But after several hours of boiling, the smell disappears, and the tripe can be used in the soup.
Shkembe Chorba is also called a “hangover soup” and is often consumed with cold beer. If you had a wild night out, a bowl of this unusual soup will quickly get you back on your feet. However, keep in mind that it’s not to everyone’s taste.
There is no middle ground when it comes to Shkembe Chorba: you will either love this soup from the first spoonful or won’t be able to eat it at all.
