The 25 Best Soups, In Order

[yuiyoshida]

Last edited Sat Mar 15, 2014, 10:38 PM - Edit history (5)

The Huffington Post | by Rebecca Orchant

We've said it before and we'll say it again -- if someone makes you soup, they love you. Plain and simple.

To be clear, aside from a poorly made one, there is no bad soup. Soup, by its very definition, is comforting and nourishing, be it hot or cold, thin or thick, healthful or loaded with cream and bacon. Like we've done with pies, cakes, sandwiches and more, we like to parse out the hierarchy of things, just to see where everyone stands. Below, you'll find what I think are the 25 best soups, in order, presented without comment because they should require no defense. Soup rules. Some soups just rule harder.

(Note: gumbo and other things like it are not on this list. They are stews and should be judged against other stews.)

#25 She Crab


#24 Black bean

#23 Chicken Noodle
#22 Broccoli Cheddar
#21 Lobster Bisque
#20 Avgolemono
#19 Borscht
#18 Clam Chowder
#17 Posole (Hominy, Pork and Red Chile)
#16 Split Pea
#15 Lentil
#14 Wonton
#13 White Bean
#12 Cream of Mushroom
#11 Vichyssoise
#10 Gazpacho
#9 Ramen
#8 Beef Barley
#7 Tortellini in Brodo
#6 Tom Kha Gai (Thai Chicken, Coconut and Galangal)
#5 French Onion
#4 Minestrone
#3 Matzoh Ball
#2 Tomato
#1 Potato Leek
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/01/01/best-soup_n_4524440.html

Note: Not sure everyone will agree or disagree. They didn't even include Miso soup, my favorite. Still you have a favorite soup? Let us know!

[NM_Birder]

1. NM, we have green chile stew, not blood in our veins.

[raptor_rider]

61. Hells yes we do!!!

I can make a killer stew in the crockpot overnight with roasted green chile from our garden. Not a dry eye in the house!!!

[me b zola]

2. Hungarian Mushroom soup

zomg, deeeeelish!

[yuiyoshida]

229. Looks great!

[me b zola]

249. Next time you're in Portland

Come give it a try. Its heaven!

http://www.oldwivestalesrestaurant.com/

[shenmue]

3. I like broccoli and cheese

[Vashta Nerada]

4. French onion.

[A HERETIC I AM]

146. Yum. Make it myself

http://www.democraticunderground.com/115721425

[Vashta Nerada]

177. Oh. My. God.

That post made me super hungry.

How dare you!

[yuiyoshida]

200. Thats quite a process

Thanks for sharing

[3catwoman3]

5. Split pea ...

...with ham for me, followed by French onion and New England clam. Also a big fan of miso after living in Japan for 2 years.

[yuiyoshida]

124. I haven't had a great split pea soup in years..

so thick you can stand a spoon up in it!

[IDemo]

131. I've made it several times in the solar cooker

wonderful stuff!

[deucemagnet]

6. Tom Yum Seafood soup didn't make the list?

I just had two huge bowls this week to clear up my stuffy sinuses. There's nothing for a cold like Thai hot and sour soup!

[rudolph the red]

22. I'm with you, that stuff is the best!

[Aerows]

7. Beef Barley

and Potato Leek are my favorites on this list.

Black bean Tortilla, however, is my favorite homemade soup.
http://alidaskitchen.com/2012/01/12/chunky-tortilla-soup-with-black-beans/
I'm not vegan, but that is a good one.

And where the heck is Seafood Gumbo?
http://www.food.com/recipe/seafood-gumbo-29879

I agree this list is rather weak!

[yuiyoshida]

11. Regarding seafood gumbo...

(Note: gumbo and other things like it are not on this list. They are stews and should be judged against other stews.)

mentioned in the upper paragraph.

[Aerows]

13. She crab soup

is gumbo without rice okra and filé. Okra and filé make it soup without the rice. You can eat it stand alone (filé is a spice, not a thickening agent or anything).

[yuiyoshida]

15. I can't believe Clam Chowder was so high on the list

And does anyone not like Manhattan Clam Chowder? I do have to admit, I do like New England Clam chowder better!

[Aerows]

16. I far prefer New England Clam Chowder

I don't care for the tomato elements in Manhattan Clam Chowder.

[littlewolf]

220. I like clam chowder using the liquid from the clams ...

I first had it on the outer banks of NC. so I call it outer banks style.
I am sure there is a name of it.

[Aerows]

222. It's definitely "your taste"

thing. Manhattan Clam Chowder is intrinsically different than the New England variety.

To each their own!

[Aerows]

111. It should be

That's all I'm saying.

[yuiyoshida]

113. Perhaps you are correct but the

Last edited Sun Mar 16, 2014, 06:11 PM - Edit history (1)

Author said they would not be included. Its her list...

[Aerows]

115. I declare his list invalid.

I don't fault you for posting it, and it is a fun thread, I just fault the author for his short-sightedness. No Pho, no gumbo, no turtle soup ... it's a little biased, wouldn't you say?

[yuiyoshida]

117. A little???

It sounds like a menu from a Kansas City truck stop. Where are the soups from India? From Singapore? From Malaysia and Indonesia? Where are the soups from South Ameria? Mexican soups? Hello? The Philippines? Hawaii for god sakes!!! Yeah...its a little biased.

[Aerows]

121. LMAO!

"It sounds like a menu from a Kansas City truck stop"! I can't argue with you one bit, though that might just be an offense to Kansas City truck stops. It reads like someone who thinks fine dining is Applebee's or the early bird special at Bob Evan's.

[PDJane]

128. Where is Thai chicken coconut soup?

[yuiyoshida]

179. mentioned actually...

#6 Tom Kha Gai (Thai Chicken, Coconut and Galangal)

[jmowreader]

183. I've been to the truck stop in Kansas City

Chicken noodle and tomato are about as adventurous as they get.

[yuiyoshida]

185. WELL that and a bowl of hot chili beans

mmmmm Love a bowl of hot chili beans!

[Jenoch]

192. Not only is 'hot chili beans' not soup, it ain't even chili.

[yuiyoshida]

196. It has chili powder in it.

Yes there are no Habanero in it. There is no Cayenne Chile Pepper, no Jalapeno, pepperchinis, no Paprika Chili Peppers!
Nor any of those on this list:
http://www.cayennediane.com/BigListofPeppers/Big-List-of-peppers.html

[Jenoch]

197. My version of 'chili beans' are spicy black beanszthat I serve as a side dish.

[dixiegrrrrl]

109. We have similar tastes.

I make a killer beef barley
and a fantastic clam choweder ( which probably ranks as a stew?)

[yuiyoshida]

228. She (the author) mentioned what she thought was ranked as a stew...

but Clam Chowder and Beef Barley are apparently soups.. according to her.

[flying rabbit]

8. Chicken noodle...

The Alpha and Omega of soup.

[yuiyoshida]

204. Chicken and Stars?

or Alphabet soup!

[Aerows]

10. She-crab soup

is imitation seafood gumbo without the rice. It really isn't a stew, it's a soup when cooked properly, that can be eaten stand alone or over rice.

Turtle soup is the same way.

[Siwsan]

12. Navy Bean with Ham

My all time favorite.

[PearliePoo2]

21. Yep...no doubt about it!

Smoked ham hocks simmered forever, slivered carrots, onion, garlic, some chicken broth in it too! YUM!

[warrior1]

14. I have potato leek in my freezer right now

It was delicious.

[yuiyoshida]

18. I just took out my frozen soup

Which was chicken Noodle. It was a little salty, but other wise not bad.

[al_liberal]

17. Cream of garlic with spelt flour n/t

[yuiyoshida]

19. That sounds yummy!

[Liberal Veteran]

20. Potato Leek with bacon soup is my favorite.

http://allrecipes.com/recipe/creamy-potato-leek-soup-ii/

This stuff is probably the reason I had a heart attack a couple of years ago, but 5 ingredients and so delicious.

[Bluenorthwest]

23. Where's the mulligatawny? I also agree miso is missing and should be included, elegant and

nourishing stuff that it is. A really good bowl of avgolemono is hard to beat but also hard to find and a less than really good bowl is not worth finding. Mysteries of soup.

[yuiyoshida]

24. Really although RAMEN is popular ..even in the instant form....

Nothing beats (IMHO) A GREAT tasting Miso soup.

[enough]

25. Where's the Hot and Sour? (nt)

[Cleita]

26. Corn chowder, my favorite, didn't make your list. n/t

[TwilightGardener]

27. Pho is missing from that list. Loves me some pho.

[tridim]

34. Missing big time. It's #1. Period.

[boguspotus]

40. Yep - I agree:

I just tried Pho for the 1st time about 6 months ago. Amazing - it should be #1.

[yuiyoshida]

83. We have a Vietnamese restaurant near by ...

I just love Viet food...and Chicken Pho is so yummy!!!
?eaa646

[AngryAmish]

159. try the tendon

[yuiyoshida]

161. I don't eat

beef, Pork or Lamb so I have to stay with the Chicken. My foods are Poultry and Seafood, that's it for me.

[XemaSab]

203. Totally

I'd break edge for a good bowl of pho.

[PearliePoo2]

28. Clam Chowder!

with Littlenecks I dug myself 3 miles from my house!
I use diced Yukon Gold potatoes, garlic, chopped green onions on top at the very end, a dash of sherry and a few bacon crumbles.
Oh..and heavy cream just to a steam, never milk! Yeah baby!

[yuiyoshida]

30. Thats great you live near the ocean...

I do too, about 3 miles maybe to the ocean. I love it here, the bay and the ocean!! Great weather when the fog is not in!!

[PearliePoo2]

36. Oh yeah, I love the ocean!

Except where I live, I can't even see or hear my neighbors!
I'm in a forest, surrounded by cedars and firs!
I'm on an Island, it's a 3 mile drive to the beach downhill through the forest and rural farmland to the oyster/clam beach!
We get fog in the late summer too!

[yuiyoshida]

38. during the summer the "fog monster" comes in ..

Its gray for days.. and even weeks. But I love it when the sun comes out, Like today. Sit in the backyard and sit on my little chair and absorb some lovely sun.

[WinkyDink]

143. OMG, an island, can't hear neighbors, forest---Are you trying to KILL me?! :-)

[yuiyoshida]

160. Well It could be worse ....

[pipi_k]

99. Mmmmm.... another

favorite of mine!


There was a restaurant just north of me that made the absolute best clam chowder ever.

So thick and buttery...

You could stand your spoon up in the mug and it wouldn't fall over.

[WinkyDink]

141. You had me from "Littlenecks I dug myself"! Sounds heavenly and scrumptious!

[longship]

29. Beef barley!!

And I don't know about that She Crab. It's probably tasty but shells and bones in soup are not my cup of soup, so to speak. Soup is comfort food. I don't want to have to work to eat it. Just my silly opinion.

[yuiyoshida]

32. Totally agree with that ...

For me Miso Soup is comfort food... well like the song..says..

[Aerows]

101. Best way to eat seafood gumbo, too

Trust me, the shells make it even better. Obviously you don't eat them, but the shell adds a bit of zest because the fat and cartilage boils into the soup.

[PeteSelman]

31. Escarole or as we pronounce it… shkadole.

Also known as Italian wedding soup.

[djean111]

33. Escarole soup - chicken broth, escarole, and little tiny meatballs.

Also known as Italian wedding soup, I think.

eta - I see great minds think alike! Come to think of it, little tiny meatballs would be good in lots of soups!

Also, dunno if this is heresy or not, but the ramen soup packets in Japan taste a lot better than the ones here in the USA.

[yuiyoshida]

35. WOW check out the post above you...

you guys are tuned in!

[djean111]

39. Guess so! My ex-husband's grandmother, from Italy, used to make giant pots

of that soup. Fantastic stuff!

[yuiyoshida]

41. My mom used to make Miso soup...

She used to make a Hawaiian soup too, but I forget what it was called. I still loved Miso better.

oh this was it:


Hawaiian Saimin Soup

[Hekate]

59. Mmmm. Saimin.

How come we no can get it heah in California?

[yuiyoshida]

137. Well if you find a good hawaiian

Restaurant it might be on the menu!

[CatWoman]

69. it's true; try Ichiban

http://www.seriouseats.com/2013/09/taste-test-instant-ramen-chicken-flavored.html

[djean111]

100. Hey, thanks! I will try that!

Working in Japan for weeks at a time, with only the hotel room hot plate to cook on, made me a ramen soup aficionado of sorts.
18 hour days, only went to restaurants on the weekends, so no, I was not a philistine, plus money was an object.
I do find that if I put sesame oil, ginger, garlic and crushed red pepper in ramen soup, it tastes a lot better.

[A HERETIC I AM]

147. Yes..Italian Wedding Soup.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/115725766

[djean111]

152. Thanks!

Looks great. Except, of course, for not being able to get the escarole. I like the bitterness of escarole.

[A HERETIC I AM]

154. Me too. n/t

[NightWatcher]

37. Veggie, Beer Cheese, Miso????

[yuiyoshida]

42. I know right? whats up with that!!

Put Miso on the list!!!!

[NightWatcher]

44. I've a connection that gets me the best miso paste

It's the owner of the sushi restaurant that we've gone to for 6+ years. I could survive off of Miso soup and seaweed salad.

[yuiyoshida]

45. I love it though AsahinaKimi has told me

Most Miso are too high in Sodium. She says she can not have it cause of her heart condition. So i guess I have to watch my intake of sodium too. But omg...I love a great tasting miso soup!! Seconds please!!

[Ellipsis]

43. Cream of pumpkin

[yuiyoshida]

46. I would guess you don't bake the pumpkins

but use the shells like bowls? Wait!!...those look like fake pumpkins shells!

[Ellipsis]

49. Baked squash shells made seperately (butternut by the looks of them)

[bluestate10]

214. Peel pumpkins then roast the pieces. I like Creamy Pumpkin with Potato and Bacon

when pumpkins are in season.

[RebelOne]

47. Hot and Spicy Ramin Noodle Soup by Nissan.

It is in a round container that you microwave. I love it.

[yuiyoshida]

209. Yes i too love

*Ramen.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ramen

[DiverDave]

48. Raman aint soup.

(Note: gumbo and other things like it are not on this list. They are stews and should be judged against other stews.)

Split pea with ham, bean (any) with ham, really.
But raman??

[yuiyoshida]

52. RAMEN**

Ramen (ラーメン, rāmen. , IPA: [ɽäꜜmeɴ]) is a Japanese noodle soup dish. It consists of Chinese-style wheat noodles served in a meat- or (occasionally) fish-based broth, often flavored with soy sauce or miso, and uses toppings such as sliced pork (チャーシュー, chāshū ).

[DiverDave]

56. I stand corrected

Raman, to me, is those bricks of noodles and a foil packet of flavor.

I gotta get out more.

[yuiyoshida]

58. I don't know this RAMAN you keep speaking of ...

If you are talking about **RAMEN it does come in instant packs, and are not bad, but its not close to real JAPANESE RAMEN.

ramen wa totemo oishii desuyo!

[DiverDave]

60. Well, I feel stupid...

or maybe just not worldly or something.

What you described sounds good.

[yuiyoshida]

65. But for the best Ramen...visiting Japan helps!

But if you can not afford to go Japan there are three Japantowns in the United States:

SanFrancisco NihonMachi
San Jose NihonMachi
Los Angeles Little Tokyo

[RebelOne]

170. However you spell it,

this Hot and Spicy Ramen Noodle Soup is delicious and it is also cheap. I love it I have 5 packages of it in my pantry and eat one a day for lunch. The worst thing is that it is high in sodium. But I use low-sodium salt on anything else I eat.

[yuiyoshida]

172. It does have high sodium...

most things that come in a soup packet like that does, including Miso.
But..if you have a Japanese restaurant near by, or live near any of the Japantowns, you will taste the best tasting Ramen ever. You may start to wonder what to do with those packages after tasting the real thing!

[jmowreader]

187. How do you make your ramen?

One of my unit's KATUSAs in Seoul taught us his mother's secret recipe for Ramyon (the signs on the noodle shops say either Ramyon or Ramien)...

you need:
broth, can be any kind - chicken is what I use
soy sauce
packet of Ramyon noodles, which must be from Korea (not sure why, but his mom was insistent that only Korean-made Ramyon would do)
shredded cheese
raw egg
shredded ham
finely chopped green onions

Her first step was to take the little foil packet of whatever-in-hell-that-is and throw it in the trash.

Next, bring the broth to simmer and drop in the noodles. Let simmer for thirty minutes to get the flavor infused in the noodles.

Put it in a bowl. Drop the raw egg right on top of the noodles. Wait till it cooks.

Then add all the rest of the ingredients except the soy sauce. Sprinkle the cheese on top. Serve with soy sauce on the side.

Use low-sodium broth and you're not dealing with as bad a heart attack in a bowl.

[yuiyoshida]

188. shredded cheese?

um, are you sure? JAPANESE Ramen never uses cheese...for anything! Here are some Japanese recipes:
http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-make-REAL-Japanese-ramen-from-scratch/

http://www.bonappetit.com/test-kitchen/how-to/slideshow/how-to-make-trendy-authentic-shoyu-ramen-at-home/?slide=1

http://japanesefood.about.com/od/ramen/r/shoyuramen.htm

[jmowreader]

216. This is Korean Ramyon, or at least one ajima's version of it

There's not exactly a Ramyon Law.

I can think of a place where there should be, though: the infamous Everything Ramyon the soldiers in the 2nd Infantry Division make. Second D eventually realized soldiers were taking Ramyon to the field with them and began to issue it as part of the ration. The Everything Ramyon is very simple to make: boil up a package of Ramyon noodles, and dump everything out of an MRE into it. I'll pass.

[FarCenter]

50. Clam Chowder -- Is that New England or Manhattan?

[yuiyoshida]

54. The photo they had was of New England...

[bluestate10]

215. Is there a Clam Chowder other than New England Clam Chowder? That other stuff that I can

stand to name is clams in tomato sauce.

[Brother Buzz]

51. I'm impressed Tom Kha Gai made the list and placed so high

It's totally one of my favorites.

[yuiyoshida]

55. I have had it once at a Thai restaurant...

I have to admit, it was pretty yummy!

[Brother Buzz]

79. I had it thirty years ago in a Thai restaurant, and was hooked

My wife scored a receipt for an old, old Cambodian man. It is every bit as good as the Thai version, and we enjoy it a few times a year. The Asian market owners smile when I come in to buy lemon grass and Galangal. And with a wink and nod, I also score a box of that contraband Chinese ant chalk that is secreted below the counter.

[yuiyoshida]

80. I hope that Contraband Chinese Ant Chalk doesn't go into your Cambodian Soup....

I can't imagine that would add any flavor..

[Brother Buzz]

93. LOL, no

The ant chalk is our first line of defense when ants try to invade our kitchen after heavy rains.

[Skidmore]

53. No gumbo? Chicken and sausage gumbo is a must have.

[yuiyoshida]

57. IT mentions GUMBO above in the first or second paragraph.

**(Note: gumbo and other things like it are not on this list. They are stews and should be judged against other stews.)

[Scootaloo]

64. If your gumbo is a soup, you're doing it terribly wrong

And you should be sad and ashamed of yourself!

[Skidmore]

67. Nope, I do it right.

But my mom always called it soup so I think of it that way.

[Scootaloo]

71. Fair enough.

I had to rescue the "southern menu" at the care center i used to cook for. This included the chicken gumbo.

Alas, budget concerns meant it STAYED chicken gumbo which is blasphemy to my Mobile-born-and-raised self, but I made do. And the handful of southern residents we had - a lady from east texas, two guys from South Carolina - demanded to meet me and thank me for saving them from the awful chicken-and-rice soup that had been passing as "gumbo" before I showed up.

They were as flabbergasted as i was that my manager didn't know what a roux was.

[Aerows]

96. I grew up in New Orleans

and have eaten gumbo from everywhere from Breaux Bridge to Plaquemines.

I'm neither ashamed, nor "doing it terribly wrong" neither were the people that made it, including my friend's grandmother that still spoke Cajun French. Filé, okra and generous amounts of seafood make gumbo. Rice is what you put it over, but it can easily be eaten alone.

Seriously, don't be messing with people who have LIVED in Cajun country and still have Cajun neighbors around them (my next door neighbor for instance) telling them what gumbo is, cher.

Next you will be telling us how to make fried boudin, how to cook andouille and what to add to our red beans and rice!

[Scootaloo]

102. It's. Not. Soup.

Soup is... soupy. A good gumbo has broth, of course, but your ladle should have some broth and a lot of stuff, not the other way around.

I'm from Mobile son, don't be trying to educate me on cooking

Also been trying to get my hands on some boudin for years. It's just not a concept that seems to exist in Seattle, sadly.

[Aerows]

107. You are from Mobile and trying to school someone

that has eaten gumbo from the cradle of the cajun belt (do you know where Breax Bridge, LA is !!?) and has eaten everything that New Orleans has ever had to offer on GUMBO? WTF?

Should I school you on how to eat fried catfish and hushpuppies?

Maybe next, cher, you can instruct me on how to shuck an oyster or how to boil crawfish.

[Scootaloo]

118. I suck at shucking

But aside from that, yeah, I'll whup your ass at seafood. We taught you how to Mardi Gras, and I'll damn sure teach you how to cook a crustacean

Bring it on!

[Aerows]

120. Uh, yeah

You may have done Mardi Gras first, but New Orleans does it best.

And as for cooking up the crustaceans? Sure, I'll bring it. And once you taste it, you will ALWAYS want me to bring it and cook it . Especially crab. Crab directly out of the Gulf and boiled whole ... yum, yum, yum yum.

And raw oysters ... oooo! Yum x 100.

[Scootaloo]

122. New Orleans does it best?

I suppose, if you think Disneyland does New Orleans best, too. Plastic, fake, tourist-trappy bullshit ain't "best."

And as for cooking up the crustaceans? Sure, I'll bring it. And once you taste it, you will ALWAYS want me to bring it and cook it . Especially crab. Crab directly out of the Gulf and boiled whole ... yum, yum, yum yum.

And raw oysters ... oooo! Yum x 100.

You have no idea how much I miss blue crab. Up here we have dungeness, but it's just not the same... and have you ever tried to explain a soft-shell crab poboy to someone who has no concept of such a thing?

Raw oysters are great... but... i have to give the award to the oysters I got out of Tillamook bay down in Oregon.

[Aerows]

123. I'm not a big fan of dungeness

If it isn't blue crab, I like snow crab and (of course) Alaskan King crab. Furry crab just doesn't do it for me LOL!

As for a soft-shell crab poboy, I wouldn't want to even attempt to describe an oyster poboy to somebody up north. They get a strange look on their face like "Eww, why would you eat that?"

Meh, if you think Mobile does Mardi Gras better than New Orleans, you haven't been to the right parade .

Oregon oysters sound luscious, especially since the waters are probably a tad chillier. In fact, since the BP spill, I've been leery of Gulf Oysters. Be thankful you have them up there. What happened to the Gulf was a crime, pure and simple.

[yuiyoshida]

126. We can't get snow crab and as for

Alaskan King crab, only comes in frozen legs at the supermarket. I can't get it fresh at Fisherman's wharf, no one has it in the CITY! You have to go to VANCOUVER, BC to find it.. or maybe Seattle. (Never been there.)

I love Dungeness crab...grew up on it. Its not as sweet as Maine Lobster, but you seem to get more crab for your money. Once i had a combo plate of Maine Lobster tail and Dungeness crab, and it was totally awesome. I went though a lot of melted garlic butter...and you need that lobster bib...the stuff goes all over!!!!

[Aerows]

130. Mmmm, lobster

Heaven on a plate .

I read about an innovation where there are some lobster catchers are using a process of hydro pressure to deshell the WHOLE lobster, meaning the whole thing can be removed from the shell then cooked. It's called "naked lobster". Could you imagine an entirely shelled lobster just waiting to be devoured?

Here's a link so you can see what I mean. If they could do that with crab, it would be like softshell crab only with even less shell.
http://shucksmainelobster.com/shop/naked-maine-lobster/

[yuiyoshida]

136. Are you kidding me?

Do you know how much meat I have found it impossible to get out with a nut cracker cause it was wedged in too far..or those little tiny spaces, where the meat is wedged it. You almost want to give up on them. Eating great crab is a task...deshelling a crab is hard work but the payoff is heavenly when there is some liquid hot butter waiting.

That method sounds fantastic!!

Gaaah...First thing on April 1st, I am ordering crab!!

[Aerows]

145. They only do it with lobster so far

but I imagine it could be adapted for crab with ease. For maximum efficiency, they would probably want to start with an expensive variety like King Crab, but if the process got wide spread enough, it would be great to see it used for crab of all types!

Apparently they do some sort of pressure washing for 30 seconds or so (the site describes it). It seems to me that adaptation on the original concept could be just about endless to improve cost and/or efficiency, and would lead to a revolution in eating those delicious crustaceans we all adore!

[Hekate]

62. Variations on homemade chicken soup, starting with the bones. Mmmmmm.

I love Tom Ka Kai, too, but don't have a recipe.

[yuiyoshida]

66. You can probably google it... lets see what we can find...

http://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/tom-kha-gai-chicken-coconut-soup

[Hekate]

76. That photo is making me drool on my keyboard

I have most of the ingredients on hand, I just need to get some nam pla fish sauce....

[Scootaloo]

63. Oh good, borscht is on the list

I was honestly surprised by how fucking amazingly good borscht is, given how much I hate beets.

And as someone who makes the best goddamned black bean soup in the world, i think it should be higher. Also, why hte fuck if tomato on that list? Go home tomato, you're drunk

No roasted corn soup? Shame

[yuiyoshida]

68. I have to admit I do like Campbells Tomato soup...

Cause I had it as a kid a lot. The Chinese make a wonderful Corn Chowder soup with Crab. Its a current favorite of mine.

[Auntie Bush]

174. I love tomato soup too... but with LOTS of melted Velveta cheese.

Smooth and creamy. Yum!

[yuiyoshida]

175. I used to stuff mine with

lots of crackers... tasted good than... not so much now..I have to watch my sodium intake.

[NickB79]

70. My shrimp corn chowder didn't make the list?!?

Potatoes, creamed and whole kernel corn, onions, celery, chicken base, and sauteed shrimp in a base sauce of butter and cream, with the optional garnish of crumbled bacon and green onion?

I'm offended.

[yuiyoshida]

72. Hey its Huffington Post...what do they know of soups?

They did not even include my MISO SOUP!

[yuiyoshida]

74. Another soup which is a favorite of mine...

Egg drop Corn Chowder soup with crab

[otohara]

75. Miso Is So Easy To Make

we have it several times per week.

[yuiyoshida]

78. Yes if you have the right ingediants its great...

But now a days so many place sell the instant... (which by the way is though the roof in sodium)

[SidDithers]

77. Mulligatawny not even on that list...

means the list isn't worth spilled soup.

Sid

[yuiyoshida]

85. mmmm Mulligatawny....

It looks good Sid...I wonder where in San Francisco I can find it...

[SidDithers]

90. I'm seeing results for the San Francisco Soup Company...

bunch of locations in SF, I think?

Sid

[yuiyoshida]

91. Thanks...I will google those

Stop by and try a bowl! Looks good.

[Luminous Animal]

245. Near every Indian restaurant has it. The San Francisco Soup Company sucks

[yuiyoshida]

246. I found an Indian Restaurant that delivers...India Clay Oven

and its one I normally use for Indian food.. Just never noticed it on the menu...I am looking forward to having it soon and trying it out. IF I really like it, I may order more in the future, and have exta to stash in the freezer!

http://www.sfclayovenindian.com/

[oneshooter]

81. A well made hot and sour soup is hard to beat. n/t

[yuiyoshida]

87. Even the Taiwanese version

[sendero]

176. I absolutely LOVE....

..... hot and sour soup. Even thought a Chinese coworker basically claims it is not a real Chinese dish.

Getting the right combination of vinegar, pepper and savory elements is a skill most restaurants have not mastered. But the few than have make a sublimely wonderful soup. It is easily my favorite!

[yuiyoshida]

208. Actually they might be wrong...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hot_and_sour_soup

China

"Hot and sour soup" is a Chinese soup claimed variously by the regional cuisines of Beijing and Sichuan as a regional dish. The Chinese hot and sour soup is usually meat-based, and often contains ingredients such as day lily buds, wood ear fungus, bamboo shoots, and tofu, in a broth that is sometimes flavored with pork blood. It is typically made hot (spicy) by red peppers or white pepper, and sour by vinegar.

[sendero]

224. That's the stuff..

..... I guess more accurately he would say (from Taiwan) that he never ate this when he grew up in China.

[Lithos]

82. Bah...

No Pasta Fagioli, Miso, Caldo de Pollo (not Chicken Noodle), Tortilla Soup, 15 Bean Soup, ....

[yuiyoshida]

205. THIS WILL blow you away....

pork noodle soup served in a coconut is also amazing


http://www.thedropoutdiaries.com/2012/04/chiang-mais-best-street-food/

[truebluegreen]

84. Tortilla soup. Corn Chowder.

And clam chowder is only #18? Something is very wrong.

So many choices. I remember having a Cream of Cabbage years ago in Scotland that was to-die-for.

[yuiyoshida]

86. Not sure why Tortilla soup is not included.

I have to agree its very good!

[William769]

88. I don't see sweet & sour cabbage soup on there.

[yuiyoshida]

92. Seems like a lot of Asian soups were ignored....

Last edited Sun Mar 16, 2014, 12:36 AM - Edit history (1)

But I guess maybe she (who compiled the list) was going by what she thought more average Americans would tend to gravitate towards.

[William769]

97. Makes sense.

But they are really missing out.

[yuiyoshida]

103. I wonder how many people at truck stops in

Kansas city Missouri would even eat a serving of Tom Yum Soup or Vietnamese Pho soup?

[taught_me_patience]

89. Chicken Tortilla soup should be up there

Easy to make and always delicious.

[yuiyoshida]

95. I wonder if it was even considered...it seems most of the

Soups are those enjoyed by people though out the United States and Europe. I saw two Asian soups on that list..Wonton and Ramen. I was like, that's it???? Where are the soups of Thailand or Vietnam? Soups from Malaysia or Singapore? Hell, what about the Middle east or Africa for that matter or India?

So...I think the list is wanting.

[pipi_k]

94. They didn't

list one of my favorites, either...


Butternut squash soup with garlic and onions. I also add carrots to it.

after it's cooked I run it through the blender on "puree".

OMG it's like liquid velvet

[yuiyoshida]

98. A photo would be cool...if you can find one.

I am not sure they even considered home made soups, but one found in fine restaurants across the UNITED STATES and parts of Europe. Asia (other than two common soups) ..Africa, the middle east...were not even included.

[pipi_k]

104. Here's the actual

recipe...

I use butter in mine, plus, like I said, a couple of carrots.

Oh, and last time I made it I added a few shakes of Turmeric. Couldn't tell a difference with taste, but it brightened up the color a whole lot.




http://localfoods.about.com/od/soups/r/squashsoup.htm

[yuiyoshida]

234. Found this photo..

[tavernier]

105. Spinach with a ham bone

Chopped egg, potatoes, and a dollop of mayo or sour cream before serving.

I even leave out the potato to cut down the starch. Just as good.

Yum.

I'll get hungry for it sometimes and instead of getting fancy with fresh, I'll just dump a can of spinach into a small pot, add some water, some ham or bacon, warm up until hot, chop and add a boiled egg, dollop of mayo and that's lunch.

[yuiyoshida]

108. This sounds like something you make yourself or have invented...

I think its funny when people look on the list and expect to see their home made invented soups on the list and are shocked when its not included. What shocks me is how many whole cultures were totally ignored... do you mean to tell me there are no good soups in India? None in South America? There are no good soups in Singapore.. in Malaysia or Indonesia?


NAW... the AUTHOR of the list probably copied down a list of what the top soups were at some
Ohio Truck stop some where... or maybe some restaurant in UTICA NEW YORK. The rest of the world just doesn't count in America!!

[tavernier]

135. It is a Latvian soup

Very popular, although it is made with sorrel originally, which is sometimes difficult to find. Spinach is the closest kin to that dark leafy veggie.

[yuiyoshida]

237. I wonder if this is it?

[tavernier]

253. I actually don't blend mine -

I don't mind the spinach au natural, lol. But everyone has their own preference in presentation.

Pretty photo; thanks!

[GeorgeGist]

106. Tony's clam chowder from

Cedar Key, FL.

[yuiyoshida]

110. You should email Tony's and tell them

You plugged their SOUP on DU. MAYBE you will get a free dinner for your efforts!!

[Aerows]

112. Turtle soup

done correctly is delicious.

[yuiyoshida]

114. hey!!!

"WE ARE a bit too tough for Turtle soup, dude!!!"

[Aerows]

116. LOL

Indeed they are. I was thinking of more along the lines of farm-raised alligator snapping turtles. Everywhere, and certainly possessing no ninja like powers, except to get into surprisingly strange locations.

[yuiyoshida]

119. Besides everyone knows what these turtles eat!!

[Jenoch]

125. Any list of 'best' soups in which chicken noodle soup is third from the bottom

is not a list that has much credibility in my opinion.

[yuiyoshida]

127. Did you look though the comments?

many agree with you.. including myself. What? No Miso? ...phfft.

[elleng]

129. Eating the Chicken Soup I made for myself today.

Home alone with my chicken soup, MANDATORY ingredient: fresh Dill Weed! (I recall Grandma's chicken soup!)

[calimary]

132. Well, I guess that confirms it - my husband loves me!

"if someone makes you soup, they love you. Plain and simple."

He makes a KILLER chicken soup - with tortellini and chicken-apple sausage, and lots of vegetables! YUMMMMMMMMM! And always a pot-full so there are seconds, thirds, fourths, and more! It freezes beautifully, too.

[yuiyoshida]

156. thats great....

I had some self love, chicken noodle soup. I defrosted it myself!

[Le Taz Hot]

133. My favorite isn't even on the list:

Butternut Squash Soup. To. Die. For.

[yuiyoshida]

138. Heard about it... never had it...

Not sure I have had butternut Squash either for that matter. I would try it!

[Le Taz Hot]

144. I make a Butternut Squash Pie as well

which is my own recipe. Butternut Squash is one of those really yummy, really nutritious and really cheap foods that most people don't know what to do with. We started growing it a couple years ago in the garden an I've been hooked ever since. I can buy one large butternut squash and make 3 pies or 2 batches of soup. It's a real budget stretcher.

[eissa]

148. You beat me to it!

Butternut squash soup is simply divine

[herding cats]

134. I adore soup! But how could they miss tortilla soup on the list?

It's as good as, if not better than, most on there!

I can make a tortilla soup that will make you literally weep at the thought of never being able to enjoy it again. Tortilla soup is like a lifeblood in my household!

Now I'm hungry.

[yuiyoshida]

140. Well we figured out the soups must have come from a

Menu from a Kansas City Truck stop...its the only way they would miss some wonderful soups.

(Not that there is anything wrong with that, people from Kansas City!)

[herding cats]

151. That could be it. There's so many amazing soups out there!

I notices no Vietnamese soups. Seriously? Some of the best soups I've ever had were Vietnamese. I had a tapioca noodle (how different!) soup once that I've yet to come close to replicating. I keep trying though!

Like I said, I adore soup. I've probably had more diverse types than most people in the world. I seek out places to eat for their soups. Then I always try to make them myself. Soup is my favorite way of preparing food. I often even eat it for breakfast!

[WinkyDink]

139. My #1 = Minestrone! But only to be made in the summer with fresh veggies!

[yuiyoshida]

142. I have to admit I do like Minestrone...

and its great on a cold grey day. But I have to place New England Clam chowder high on that list..despite the fact they didn't list Miso, or Chinese Corn Chowder soup.

[dipsydoodle]

149. Asparagus

[kwassa]

150. WHAT???? NO PHO ????

Pho is an entire cuisine of soup.

This list is arbitrary and ridiculous.

No tom yum, and no hot and sour, either.

[yuiyoshida]

157. No Miso either...

We figured out these soups probably came from a Kansas City truck stop menu... Not that there is anything wrong with that..it just misses out on most of the great tasting soups in the world..that's all.

[kwassa]

166. It is very much an Americana soup list.

actually excluding many soups that are now easily available in America that originated elsewhere.

Where are all the great Hispanic caldos?

Where is miso?

All the Chinese soups? War won tons.

[yuiyoshida]

167. Won Ton soup is mentioned...but omg..should taste egg drop corn chowder..

With crab meat, its divine!

[kwassa]

168. corn chowder is an abomination to me.

though I've never tasted the Asian version.

we have Maryland crab soups that also don't make this list.

[yuiyoshida]

169. YOu might like the Chinese version.

I like it enough to order some extra when ordering Chinese food. I can take it and freeze it and eat it a few days later. They make it with crab, Chicken, pork and or beef. I don't eat beef or pork and like the crab meat one far more than the chicken.

[kwassa]

171. steamed crab is the big local dish here in Maryland

in spicy Old Bay seasonings. Blue crab from the Chesapeake.

[yuiyoshida]

173. Steamed crab is added to the dish

Along with the various other ingredients,

[dembotoz]

153. If your potato leeks it is time to throw it out

[Mojo Electro]

155. That bowl of french O looks incredicble!

Man, I could really go for one of those right now.

[yuiyoshida]

158. Looks like someone got carrried away with pouring it.

[magical thyme]

162. no ovo-lemono soup? No sopa de lima? No hot and sour? No cold fruit soups?

And lobster bisque near the bottom? Pathetic list.

[yuiyoshida]

164. I can agree with you on this...

I am sure the author took this from a menu, at a Kansas City Truck stop...not that there is anything wrong with that.. just that she misses most of the most tastiest soups in the world.

[abelenkpe]

163. Gazpacho should be number two

There are some serious omissions on this list but they did get number one right

[yuiyoshida]

165. Clam Chowder is my favorite on the list..

Miso and or Chinese corn chowder were not even considered.

[SheilaT]

178. Which clam chowder?

There's an enormous difference between the two.

And the list is incomplete as it does not contain Chicken of Muchness, my personal favorite.

[yuiyoshida]

180. Their example is New England Clam chowder...

Apparently Manhattan didn't make the cut. Chicken of Muchness? Never heard of it...can you
explain further what that is?

[SheilaT]

184. I was hoping someone would ask!

It's a recipe of mine adapted from a Middle Eastern recipe. It is really, really good. I actually have no idea if there's some other name for this, but I call it Chicken of Muchness for rather complicated reasons that would make no sense to anyone, but is sort of in honor of my friend Don Balya.

Chicken of Muchness

2 chicken leg quarters
3 or 4 carrots
1 or 2 cans of diced or crushed tomatoes, depending on how tomato-y you want it to be.
1 medium onion
1 small green pepper
3 or 4 cups of chicken broth
3 bay leaves
3 cinnammon sticks
½ to ¾ tsp each of celery seed, marjoram, thyme, basil, and tarragon
olive oil
2 Tablespoons butter
2 Tablespoons flour

Bring the chicken to a boil with just enough water to cover. Turn heat down to simmer and skim of scum and fat that comes to the surface. This will take ten to fifteen minutes.

Once skimming is done, put the bay leaves, peeled carrots, and cinnamon sticks in pot with chicken, cover and let simmer for an hour.

Remove carrots and chicken. Let them cool while you sauté the sliced onion and green pepper in a little olive oil. You want them to get a little brown. Put in soup pot. Add the tomatoes.

Make a roux with the butter and flour in that same pan, then add a cup or two of broth. Stir and let it thicken over the heat until it seems thick enough. Pour into pot.

Cut up the carrots, strip the chicken from the bones and return to soup pot. Now add the other seasonings. You will probably need to add more chicken broth to have the right amount of liquid.

Cover and simmer for an hour or so.

Make rice, which takes about 20 minutes, when you’re ready to eat. Put rice in a bowl, then add the chicken of muchness. Ground pepper and some salt and enjoy!

This also freezes well. I make a batch and freeze up several individual portions to pull out when I'm in the mood.

[yuiyoshida]

186. Wow this is great...you should also post this

In the cooking and Baking group threads..I am sure they will want to try something new!
http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=forum&id=1157

[SheilaT]

189. Okay, I did that.

I'm also going to go back and make a small change in the seasonings. It should be celery SEED, not salt. Typo on my part. I never use celery salt, only celery seed.

I do love to cook and I like to think I'm a decent cook. Here's the recipe for the spicy sausage rigatoni bake I'm making tomorrow which will go to feed homeless in Santa Fe:

Spicy Italian Sausage Pasta Bake

1 pound bulk Italian sausage. Sweet, spicy, any combination therof. I most recently made it half sweet and half spicy.
1 onion sliced
1 green pepper sliced
1 pound rigatoni noodles
2 jars of a nice vodka sauce. Buy a good one.

Fix the rigatoni per package directions. When cooked, rinse well, then sprinkle with kosher salt and a few twists of the pepper grinder.

Meanwhile, cook the sausage and drain.

Cook the onion and green pepper in some olive oil until they look right.

Combine all the cooked ingredients in a large enough casserole. A lasagna pan is a good size.

Now dump the vodka sauce and mix well. Bake at 350 degrees for about 45 minutes. If you want you can top with some Parmesan cheese

This also freezes well. You might guess I live alone. It's tricky cooking for one unless you're happy with leftovers and find things that are good to freeze.

[yuiyoshida]

190. post that in the cooking and baking

group too. I am sure you will get some responses from some long held culinary people who hang out there. Make sure you add it to favorites!

[SheilaT]

194. Done.

Thank you for your encouragement. I do happily and willingly share recipes and I always include all the little tricks or special things that make it work. I utterly despise those people who pretend to share a recipe and then leave out something important so you can never make it the same way. If a person doesn't want to share a recipe, then don't.

[El Supremo]

181. I agree with most of this list but tortilla soup should be on it.

I am particularly glad that the cold soups, gazpacho and vichyssoise, are on it.

[yuiyoshida]

182. I wonder how popular tortilla soup is...

I certainly love it when I can find it... But I wonder if you can find tortilla soup in places like
Arkansas, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New Hampshire, Florida, South Carolina?

[Bjorn Against]

212. Tortilla soup is fairly common in Minnesota, several restaurants serve it

[yuiyoshida]

213. Thats great...

Normally I find it in the South West, especially Arizona, and in Southern California. We have it in Northern California as well. I am sure its probably in Texas, Colorado, Utah, Idaho, Washington, Oregon and Nevada as well.

[demwing]

191. BAH! No Hot and Sour? No Egg-Drop?

No Dal? no Mulligatawny?

[yuiyoshida]

193. BAH!!!!

You know the woman who picked out the top 25 soups probably checked out a menu from a Kansas city truck stop right? Do you know how many soups could have been on that list.. including Miso.. and Chinese Corn Chowder soup?

Soups from Spain, From Greece, Turkey, The entire Middle East, India, the Philippines, South Korea, Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, South Sea Islands, South America,
Mexico!!! Hawaii!! ...so is this list lacking?

Yes. But hey, its Huffington Post, right?

[Neurotica]

195. Chicken corn soup. Enough said.

It's a south central Pennsylvania favorite. Yum.

[yuiyoshida]

198. If you like corn soup you would love

Chinese Corn Chowder.. its awesome!

[left on green only]

199. My Vote Goes To Cantaloupe Soup (served cold)

There was a time when it was on the menu at Ventana, Big Sur.

Upon edit to remove the third 'n' from Ventana.

[yuiyoshida]

201. Interesting soup and one thats probably not that common.

[left on green only]

202. OK, You Just Blew Me Awa.y

Not only are you familiar with it, you are also able to provide a picture of it.

[MrScorpio]

206. Why is Minestrone only at #4?

That's one crime. The other crime is placing Cream of Mushroom at anyplace other than second to Minestrone.

Someone must pay for this affront. Time to whip out the pitchforks and torches!

There is hell to pay!

[yuiyoshida]

207. Mr. S....

Someone needs a paddling with a GIANT LADEL!

[Separation]

210. Seafood Udon

I found this little back alley place on a lunch break when I was taking my motorcycle safety riders course.

I don't know what ethnic food it was as everything was written in ?? Anyways they had live fish, crabs, prawns, octopi swimming in tanks in front of the kitchen. Nobody spoke English but we managed to have her pick what she liked.

Had an awesome thick noodled soup with fresh fish, crab, prawns, and vegetables right from the tank!

Then I had a fried whole grouper in ginger and some sort of coconut and mango desert. It was really good.

[yuiyoshida]

211. Good choice

Another Favorite of mine.

[Liberal_in_LA]

217. too much salt

[yuiyoshida]

218. All of them do?

Can you be a bit more specific?

[Rex]

219. Wonton.

[yuiyoshida]

221. wanting wonton!

[Vattel]

223. some green peruvian seafood soups are awesome. i can't remember what they are called though.

[yuiyoshida]

225. Wow Green? How about this?

Aquadito de Mariscos



Green Soup with Mixed Seafood Delicious soup is prepared with cilantro sauce, garlic, onion and yellow pepper, added vegetables, red pepper, peruvian corn,

[Vattel]

250. omg, that brings back delicious memories

[Kingofalldems]

226. If it hasn't been mentioned

Dominique's Senate Bean Soup is excellent.

[yuiyoshida]

227. That comes out of a can... but okay.

[Kingofalldems]

230. Yes. A fairly expensive can.

But if you are a Senator you can get the real stuff I am told.

[yuiyoshida]

231. Where would you purchase it?

Restaurant name? This is in Washington DC.. and just out of curiosity, how much for the canned soup?

[Kingofalldems]

233. The Senate dining room. Members only.

Not sure if House Reps are allowed there.

[yuiyoshida]

235. Interesting....

A case of "Rank hath its privileges". There must be some chef who is making a ton of money, plus tips..if he or she gets any.

[Kingofalldems]

238. Well I just did a search and it is available to the public

at the Capitol Visitor Center located in the basement of the US Capitol and in the Longworth Cafeteria ( I don't know where this is located). Also plenty of recipes on line and I think Dominiques is just one version of it.

[yuiyoshida]

240. K

Thanks!

[A HERETIC I AM]

244. The Longworth Cafeteria is in the Longworth building

http://www.apa.org/about/gr/pi/advocacy/2008/places-to-eat.pdf

When I was young and lived outside DC, our school went on field trips to DC regularly. Seems to me we ate in one of the Congressional cafeterias.

There is also a small, private subway line that runs from the Capitol building to the office buildings. We got to ride on that!

This was in the late 60's/early 70's though. I'm sure much has changed regarding access

[djean111]

232. Thanks for a really fun thread!

And thanks to all who listed soups I had not thought of/heard of - lots of new things to try.

[yuiyoshida]

259. The big and major problem with threads like this is...

ITS making me terribly hungry!

[A HERETIC I AM]

236. Greek Avgolemono, or chicken with rice or Orzo

http://www.democraticunderground.com/115725947

It's about 2/3'rds of the way down that thread, after the Moussaka.

Avgolemono is a simple yet delicious lemony chicken soup thickened with egg.

[yuiyoshida]

239. kind of like this?

[A HERETIC I AM]

241. There ya go!

Looks delicious!

[yuiyoshida]

242. This morning I would certainly love a bowl...

of any soup actually.

[yuiyoshida]

243. STONE SOUP!!!

[pansypoo53219]

247. stupid. not everybody likes the same thing. poo. i just made a big pot of potato soup.

[yuiyoshida]

258. Sounds yummy!

A lot of people, surprisingly have mentioned their very own recipes for soups which of course would not be included in the above list. Some have mentioned they just get their soups from a can, which is fine (though full of sodium!) Most of these soups mentioned at the top are the types of soup you would expect to find at a local restaurant in your area. I think the list is rather limited because it doesn't take in the full scope of soups that are really international. Some are mentioned, those which are popular in European countries, or even in parts of Asia but it leaves out places like Mexico, or South America, or even the fine state of Hawaii that has its own flavors of soup. Soups from Asia have some amazing ingredients coming from fruits and vegetables that don't even grow here in the US or are not allowed to come into our ports.

I often to go to Chinatown looking for somethings, and can never find them as they are not allowed to be brought into the country...this includes some spices, from places like Thailand and Hong Kong. But...so it is.. We are stuck with what we are stuck with, and you need to find places that do seem to find away around customs for getting their spices delivered to them.

[Matariki]

248. Thanks for posting this

I've been eating soup every day lately and looking for new recipes.

[yuiyoshida]

257. you are most welcome...

most soups you can find on the internet or you could go to the COOKING AND BAKING group and find recipes there.

[BooBrown]

251. Hobo Stew

It's what my mother made when she needed to use up veggies before they went bad. Never the same twice. She used hamburger in it, but I use beans in a veggie broth.

[yuiyoshida]

256. Of course mentioned in bold print at the top it says that

Stews were not included as part of the Soups.. and are in another category of themselves.

[doc03]

252. No bean with ham or bacon! I wouldn't feed about half of those to

a fucking hog. Who made this list some pencil neck yuppie?

[yuiyoshida]

255. Her name is listed with the Huffington Post...

Some of us decided she got these off a menu at a Kansas City Truck stop... its about as Americana as you can get for a list of soup. I think the bean soup was listed though... There was a black bean soup and a White bean soup, not to mention Lentil. I am not sure what they are made with, you could probably Google those ingredients.