20 of the world’s best soups

If the comforting embrace of a steaming bowl of soup brings a sense of nostalgia, you're not alone. Soup, one of the oldest and most universal foods, has deep roots in cultures worldwide. In her book "Soup: A Global History," Janet Clarkson explores the rich tapestry of soups, tracing their origins from turtle shells to bamboo and the advent of metal soup pots in the Bronze Age. This article takes you on a global culinary journey, exploring 20 of the best soups that have stood the test of time.

1. 1. Banga - Nigeria:

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3. Originating from the Niger Delta, Banga is a flavorful soup featuring fresh catfish, beef, and dried seafood. The red sauce, infused with African nutmeg, castor seed, and other spices, is a culinary delight. Served with staples like eba or cassava balls, Banga is a cherished Nigerian dish.

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5. 2. Beef Pho (Phở Bò) - Vietnam:

1. Aromatic broth simmered with cinnamon, star anise, and warm spices forms the base of this Vietnamese rice noodle soup. Pho, a relatively new addition to Vietnamese cuisine, gained popularity with its original version featuring slices of raw beef cooked gently in the broth. Today, beef pho remains a beloved Vietnamese dish.

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3. 3. Borscht - Ukraine:

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5. Ukraine's iconic borscht features tender beets in a brilliant red broth. Often topped with sour cream and flavored with kvass, a lacto-fermented beet juice, borscht has earned a place on UNESCO's list of Intangible Cultural Heritage. It reflects Ukraine's cultural unity and is a symbol of national identity.

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7. 4. Bouillabaisse - France:

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9. Hailing from Marseille, bouillabaisse is a fisherman's stew turned culinary icon. This Mediterranean dish combines saffron, olive oil, fennel, garlic, and tomatoes with a variety of seafood. Authentic bouillabaisse, as per the 1980 Bouillabaisse Charter, must include at least four types of seafood, ensuring a diverse and flavorful experience.

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11. 5. Caldo Verde - Portugal:

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13. From Portugal's Minho region comes Caldo Verde, a hearty soup featuring thinly sliced greens, potatoes, and onions. Often enriched with Portuguese chouriço sausage, this soup has found its way from rural kitchens to upscale cafes, epitomizing down-home comfort food.

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15. 6. Chorba Frik - Algeria, Libya, Tunisia:

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17. Chorba Frik, popular during Ramadan, incorporates durum wheat (freekeh), chickpeas, and a variety of meats in a tomato-based broth. Served with lemon wedges and kesra bread, this North African soup reflects the region's culinary richness and cultural traditions.

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19. 7. Chupe de Camarones - Peru:

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21. Arequipa's specialty, Chupe de Camarones, is a creamy shrimp chowder with Andean potatoes and corn. Infused with ají amarillo, a fruity chili pepper, this Peruvian dish is enjoyed in the historic city surrounded by towering volcanoes.

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23. 8. Gazpacho - Spain:

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25. Ideal for hot Andalusian summers, Gazpacho is a chilled vegetable soup featuring tomatoes, cucumbers, garlic, and olive oil. Originally introduced by Arabs, this dish has evolved into a refreshing treat, showcasing Spain's culinary adaptation over the centuries.

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27. 9. Groundnut Soup - West Africa:

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29. Ignoring international boundaries, Groundnut Soup is a creamy, peanut-based delight popular across West Africa. Whether made in Gambia or Nigeria, this dish, featuring meat, fish, or chicken, offers a rich and satisfying combination with a fiery touch from Scotch bonnet peppers.

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31. 10. Gumbo - United States:

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33. Louisiana's iconic Gumbo is a fusion of West African, Native Choctaw, and French cuisines, resulting in a hearty soup. Seafood, chicken, and sausage are popular variations, with filé (ground sassafras leaves) and okra adding distinctive flavors to this Southern specialty.

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35. 11. Harira - Morocco:

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37. Traditionally consumed during Ramadan, Moroccan Harira is a chickpea stew with a savory tomato broth. Infused with cinnamon, ginger, turmeric, and pepper, this dish symbolizes the breaking of fasts for both Muslims and some North African Jews during Yom Kippur.

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39. 12. Kharcho - Georgia:

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41. Georgia's beloved Kharcho features a zesty flavor from tart plum sauce (tkemali). Fatty beef, ground walnuts, and a spice mix called khmeli suneli create a unique and aromatic soup, showcasing the country's culinary heritage.

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43. 13. Lanzhou Beef Noodle Soup - China:

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46. Crafting la mian noodles by hand is an art for this traditional Chinese soup. Served in a beef broth with tender beef, radish slices, chili oil, and fresh herbs, Lanzhou Beef Noodle Soup represents the pinnacle of Chinese noodle soups.

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48. 14. Mohinga - Myanmar:

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50. A breakfast staple turned anytime snack, Mohinga is Myanmar's aromatic noodle soup. Simmered with herbs and thickened with toasted rice powder, this dish offers regional variations and reflects Myanmar's diverse culinary landscape.

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52. 15. Menudo - Mexico:

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54. Known for its hangover-curing properties, Menudo is a traditional Mexican soup featuring tripe and hominy. Beyond its reputation as a morning-after remedy, Menudo is a favorite at weddings and celebrations, showcasing the versatility of Mexican cuisine.

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56. 16. Moqueca de Camarão - Brazil:

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58. From the Bahia region of Brazil comes Moqueca de Camarão, a shrimp soup with a coconut broth tinted with palm oil and tomatoes. Served in handmade pots made from black clay and mangrove tree sap, this dish encapsulates Brazil's vibrant culinary traditions.

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60. 17. Soto Ayam - Indonesia:

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62. Indonesia's Soto Ayam elevates chicken noodle soup with aromatic spices like fresh turmeric, star anise, cinnamon, lemongrass, and lime leaves. Soft-boiled eggs add richness, making it a flavorful dish enjoyed across Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, and Suriname.

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64. 18. Tom Yum Goong - Thailand:

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67. Tom Yum Goong, a Thai favorite, boasts a magnificent broth with sweet, sour, spicy, and salty flavors. Featuring prawns, galangal, lemongrass, lime leaves, and bird's eye chilies, this soup is a harmonious blend of aromatic ingredients.

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69. 19. Tonkotsu Ramen - Japan:

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71. Fukuoka Prefecture's Tonkotsu Ramen is a classic featuring a rich, cloudy broth flavored with long-simmered pork bones. Served with slices of pork belly and chewy noodles, this dish has become a global phenomenon, showcasing Japan's influence on world cuisine.

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73. 20. Yayla Çorbasi - Turkey:

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75. Yayla Çorbasi, a creamy yogurt soup with boiled rice or barley, combines sweetness and tanginess. Believed to ward off colds, this Turkish soup reflects a time when food and medicine were intertwined. Enjoyed with a crumble of dried mint and fresh pita bread, it's a comforting and nutritious delight.

Conclusion: Soups, with their diverse flavors and cultural significance, transcend borders and time, connecting people through shared culinary experiences. From the rich history of borscht in Ukraine to the aromatic spices of