Is your mouth watering for some comforting warm soup? Well, it is time to find out the top 15 soups around the world that have survived through the tough times of history.
The world is full of diversity and that diversity is highly noticeable in food as well. While every country has its own national delicacies, one food item that is common among most countries is soup. Soup is such a comfort food that it is enjoyed by every food lover. Due to its nutritious value and comparatively less rich flavors, it is considered to be the best medicine to replenish during sick times. However, soup is also one of the most delicious food items that can be enjoyed anytime regardless of the seasons and health. If you are also curious the know more about the global soup traditions; here are the top 15 soups from around the world that can make your taste buds happy.
- Gazpacho – Spain
Spain belongs to the Mediterranean region of Europe and most popular Spanish dishes are made from fresh ingredients only such as tomatoes, garlic, onion, pepper, olive oil, and so on. Gazpacho is one of their famous soups that gained much popularity both among national citizens and foreigners which was first invented in the medieval period. Initially, it was a meal for the peasants and it did not have tomatoes until the 16thcentury when Mexican influences came in. Gazpacho means wet bread which was eaten with cold soup by the peasants. Guess what, history repeats!
- Harira – Morocco
Arab has a lot of delicious food and most of them come from Moroccan origin. This special soup is mainly consumed in the month of Ramadan and this food is a soup of faith. Harira is eaten after sunset along with dates and honey cakes. However, the typical Moroccan version is served with lamb, chickpeas, and tomatoes. The broth is fragrant and you can feel the flavors of cinnamon, ginger, saffron, and many other spices. Its smooth texture is truly captivating.
- Laksa – Malaysia and Singapore
South Asian dishes are often cooked with more complexity and contrasting flavors. Laksa is one of the best examples of Asian soups which is mainly cooked with ginger, coconut milk, and spicy curry. It is further complemented with oriental noodles, shrimp, and coriander. It is considered that this soup is an example of how Chinese culture has influenced South-Asian food culture. Therefore, it you can also find the essence of Cantonese food in this soup.
- Yayla çorbası – Turkey
Turkish people like to add a generous amount of Yoghurt to their food and this traditional soup recipe also consists of that. Yayla çorbasi is a delicious preparation that utilizes a broth made from rice and chickpeas and then spices and herbs are added to it. By adding Yogurt and feta cheese, you get that creamy texture. This dish is also known as the “soup of the mountains” as it was previously consumed by the peasants of the mountains only. Due to its high nutritious value, the soup is provided in most clinics and hospitals.
- Minestrone – Italy
Let’s go back to history, at the time of World War I when Italy was going through a terrible time. The huge scarcity of food made the peasants opt for an easy salty broth that included all kinds of veggies. At that time, the soup used to be cooked in big cauldrons where everyone from the community would add whatever they got. That is how Minestrone was made which means “thick vegetable soup”. There is no fixed recipe for this soup and perhaps the most affordable and healthy soup recipe.
- Tom Yum – Thailand
This is a Spicy Thai Soup that is quite popular around the world. The soup offers an extremely aromatic recipe that includes several spice elements along with lemongrass, galangal, and kaffir lime leaves. There are also many versions of this soup based on the protein added to complement it such as Tom Yum Kung for shrimp, Tom Yum Kha Mu for Pork, and Tom Yum Gai for Chicken.
- Tortilla Soup – Mexico
A true Mexican can never say no to Tortillas and the Tortilla Soup is the perfect example of their traditional food culture. A delicious soup is served with fried corn tortillas which makes it a perfect combo. The soup includes onion, garlic, parsley, and pepper along with a lot of tomato broth which makes it sweet, tangy, and tasty. It is highly popular in central Mexico but has also received much recognition from around the world.
- Caldo Verde – Portugal
The recipe for Caldo Verde is one of the wonders of Portugal. It originated from the Minho region the coldest and rainiest in the country. This soup was a way of survival for the peasants back in the 15th century. The soup includes collard greens, potatoes, and a piece of chorizo which offers a contrasting flavor. Now, this soup has become a delicacy that is enjoyed with corn bread and some good wine.
- Phở – Vietnam
Vietnamese cuisines are quite popular for their distinctive flavors Phở is one of the best soups offered by the country. The recipe includes rice noodles and sliced pieces of beef along with ginger, coriander, and cardamom which helps to create that distinctive flavor. The broth itself takes more than 12 hours to make it is absolutely worth it. The soup was invented back in the time of the French revolution.
- Soupe à l’Oignon Gratinée – France
Everything about the French culture comes with a little bit of poetry and Soupe à l’Oignon Gratinée is one of the best examples of that. Though onion soups were typically consumed by the Greek and Roman people more, French people already discovered that back in the 17th century. Due to the affordable price of onions, the soup was initially consumed by the peasants only until the dish received its popularity among the rich people and the restaurants. The combination of butter and onion helps to create a velvety soup that is creamy and tasty. A bit of cheese would not hurt anyone.
- Wonton Soup – China
Though it is a traditional Chinese dish, the dish has become globally popular. This light and aromatic broth comes with a combination of meat, veggies, and clear soup; making the dish more wholesome. This Cantonese soup is popular due to wonton which is made from flour and eggs. It is said, that the soup was invented back in the 17th century during the time of the Qing Dynasty.
- Chupe de Marisco – Peru
Latin America is also well revered for its unique flavors Chupe de Marisco is one of the greatest examples of their flavorful cuisines. This is a traditional Peruvian soup that is highly popular in the southern region of the country. It is seafood that is cooked in cream along with pepper and garlic. Not to mention, cheese and wine are also added to make it more rich and delightful. People like to enjoy this soup with their choice of protein.
- Soto – Indonesia
Soto is perhaps one of the most popular dishes in Indonesia and is popular for its aromatic broth. It mainly includes meat and rice broth. The dish can be found allover over the country whether it is in posh restaurants or the street corners. Another famous variation is called Soto Ayam which is mainly with boiled chicken. The soup is served with eggs, tofu, and fried onions to make it more appealing. Although Soto did not originate from the country, it has become a significant Indonesian dish.
- Chowder Soup – USA
Chowder soup is a traditional North American soup that is mainly made from cream and seafood. The soup was invented back in the 16th and 17th centuries. Perhaps it is a result of British Colonization in America. The soup holds a special place in every American’s heart which is why there is an official date on the American calendar to celebrate the National Chowder Soup Day. There are also different versions of this soup such as New England Clam Chowder, Manhattan Clam Chowder, Rhode Island Clam Chowder, and the list goes on.
- Tacacá – Brazil
Brazil has a lot of dishes that can represent the country. However, nothing can beat the ethereal taste of Tacacá which is a traditional Brazilian soup. This soup is a gift from the indigenous people from the Amazon region which is derived from an ancestral dish called mani poi. The soup offers exotic flavors that are delightful and taste fresh with every spoonful. The broth is mainly made from tucupi, jambu, dried shrimp as well as tapioca. It is served in hot bowls along with pepper and salt.
Some of the other honorable mentions are Goulash from Hungary, Tinola from the Philippines, Efo Elegusi from Nigeria, Ramen from Japan, and Borscht from Russia. All of these global soups embrace their region, country, and culture while telling the stories of history and their survival.
