10 Must-Try Soups from Around the World And How to Make Them at Home

Every culture has its comfort food, and more often than not, it comes in a bowl. Soups are a universal language of warmth, nourishment, and tradition, from the spicy broths of Southeast Asia to the rich, hearty stews of Europe. Whether served as a starter, a main dish, or a remedy for cold weather, soups hold a special place in kitchens and hearts around the world.

While some soups have gained global fame like French onion or Italian minestrone — countless others remain local treasures, waiting to be discovered by curious food lovers. These soups often reflect the flavors, ingredients, and stories of their regions. They tell us about a place’s history, its people, and its way of making simple ingredients taste extraordinary.

In this recipe guide, we’ll take you on a journey through ten of the most beloved soups from around the world, each with a distinct flavor profile and a simple recipe you can recreate at home. Whether you’re looking for bold spices, creamy comfort, or light broths bursting with herbs, these soups will add both variety and tradition to your cooking repertoire.

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Best Time to Eat & How to Partner These Soups

Most soups shine as comforting main dishes during lunch or dinner, especially when paired with fresh bread, rice, or a light salad. Some, like Japan’s miso soup or Vietnam’s pho, make perfect starters or even breakfast dishes in their native countries — proving that soup isn’t just a cold-weather meal.

Pair hearty soups like French bouillabaisse or Moroccan harira with crusty bread and a glass of robust red or white wine. For lighter broths, such as Thai Tom Yum or Chinese hot and sour soup, pair with a side of rice, dumplings, or fresh vegetable stir-fry. A crisp beer or iced tea works well for balancing spicy flavors.

If serving soup as a main dish, complement it with simple sides that highlight the soup’s origin — like a small tapas plate with Spanish gazpacho or a Greek salad alongside Avgolemono soup. The key is balance — light sides for rich soups, and hearty sides for delicate broths.

One common misconception is that soups are simple “starter” dishes, not worthy of standing alone as a meal. In many cultures, soups like Hungarian goulash, Mexican pozole, or Russian borscht are hearty, complex, and meant to be the star of the table — rich in nutrients, flavors, and culinary tradition.

Another surprising belief is that authentic soups require rare, hard-to-find ingredients or complicated techniques. While some specialty items add authenticity, most traditional soups are made from humble, accessible ingredients — reflecting the resourcefulness of home cooks around the world. Great soup is more about technique, layering flavors, and patience than fancy components.

Finally, some think soup is only for cold weather. Yet in countries like Thailand, Vietnam, and Spain, hot soups are enjoyed in warm climates year-round, often because of their lightness, hydration, or even their supposed cooling effects on the body. Soup isn’t just a seasonal dish — it’s a year-round staple in global kitchens for good reason.

Most Delicious Soups

1. Tom Yum (Thailand)

A hot and sour Thai soup packed with shrimp and fragrant herbs.

Ingredients:

1 lb shrimp, peeled
4 cups chicken or shrimp broth
2 stalks lemongrass, smashed
3 kaffir lime leaves
1 tbsp galangal, sliced
1 cup mushrooms, sliced
2 tbsp fish sauce
2 tbsp lime juice
2-3 Thai chilies, chopped
1 tbsp chili paste (optional)
Fresh cilantro (for garnish)

Instructions:

Bring broth to a boil with lemongrass, lime leaves, and galangal. Simmer for 5 minutes. Add mushrooms, fish sauce, lime juice, and chili paste. Simmer for another 5 minutes. Add shrimp and cook until pink (2-3 minutes). Garnish with cilantro.

Calories: ~150 per serving (1 cup).

Tips:

Adjust the spice level by varying the number of chilies. Substitute chicken for shrimp if preferred.

Read here how to make Tom Yum

2. French Onion Soup (France)

A rich, caramelized onion soup topped with crusty bread and melted cheese.

Ingredients:

4 large onions, thinly sliced
4 cups beef stock
1/2 cup white wine
2 tbsp butter
1 tsp sugar
1 baguette, sliced
1 cup Gruyère cheese, grated

Instructions:

Sauté onions in butter over low heat until caramelized (30-40 minutes). Add sugar to enhance sweetness. Deglaze with wine and add stock. Simmer for 20 minutes. Ladle soup into bowls, top with bread slices and grated cheese, then broil until cheese is melted.

Calories: ~350 per serving (1 cup with bread and cheese).

Tips:

Use homemade beef stock for deeper flavor. Serve immediately for the best cheesy crust.

3. Pho (Vietnam)

A fragrant Vietnamese soup made with beef or chicken and rice noodles.

Ingredients:

4 cups beef or chicken broth
1 lb beef slices or shredded chicken
1 package rice noodles
1 onion, sliced
3-inch piece of ginger, charred
2 star anise pods
1 cinnamon stick
Fresh basil, cilantro, and lime (for garnish)
Hoisin sauce and sriracha (optional)

Instructions:

Simmer broth with onion, ginger, star anise, and cinnamon for 30 minutes. Strain. Cook rice noodles according to package instructions. Assemble noodles and meat in bowls. Pour hot broth over and garnish with herbs and lime.

Calories: ~300 per serving (1 bowl).

Tips:

Use thinly sliced raw beef that cooks in the hot broth. Customize toppings like bean sprouts or jalapeños.

Read here how to make Pho

4. Borscht (Ukraine/Russia)

A beet-based soup with a vibrant color and tangy flavor.

Ingredients:

3 beets, peeled and shredded
1 onion, diced
1 carrot, shredded
1 potato, diced
4 cups vegetable or beef broth
2 tbsp tomato paste
1 tbsp vinegar
Fresh dill and sour cream (for garnish)

Instructions:

Sauté onion and carrot in a pot. Add beets, tomato paste, and vinegar. Add broth and potatoes. Simmer for 30 minutes. Garnish with sour cream and dill before serving.

Calories: ~150 per serving (1 cup).

Tips:

Add shredded cabbage for extra texture. Serve warm or cold, depending on preference.

Read here how to make Borscht

5. Minestrone (Italy)

A hearty vegetable and pasta soup.

Ingredients:

1 onion, diced
2 carrots, chopped
2 celery stalks, chopped
1 can diced tomatoes
4 cups vegetable stock
1 cup cooked beans (cannellini or kidney)
1/2 cup small pasta
1 zucchini, diced
Fresh basil and Parmesan (for garnish)

Instructions:

Sauté onion, carrots, and celery. Add tomatoes and stock. Simmer for 20 minutes. Add beans, zucchini, and pasta. Cook until pasta is tender. Garnish with basil and Parmesan.

Calories: ~200 per serving (1 cup).

Tips:

Add seasonal vegetables for variety. Use pesto as a topping for extra flavor.

Read here how to make Minestrone

6. Laksa (Malaysia)

A spicy coconut curry soup with noodles.

Ingredients:

1 package rice noodles
1 cup coconut milk
4 cups chicken or shrimp broth
1 lb shrimp or chicken
1 tbsp red curry paste
1 tbsp fish sauce
1 cup bean sprouts
Lime wedges and fresh cilantro (for garnish)

Instructions:

Cook noodles according to package instructions. Heat curry paste in a pot. Add broth, coconut milk, and fish sauce. Simmer for 10 minutes. Add shrimp or chicken and cook until done. Serve with noodles and garnish with bean sprouts and cilantro.

Calories: ~400 per serving (1 bowl).

Tips:

Adjust the spice level by increasing or decreasing curry paste. Add boiled eggs for extra protein.

Read here how to make Laksa

7. Clam Chowder (United States – New England)

A creamy soup with clams and potatoes.

Ingredients:

1 lb clams, cleaned
2 cups milk
1 cup heavy cream
2 potatoes, cubed
1 onion, diced
4 slices bacon, chopped
2 tbsp flour

Instructions:

Cook bacon in a pot. Remove and set aside. Sauté onions in bacon fat. Stir in flour to create a roux. Add clams, milk, cream, and potatoes. Simmer until potatoes are tender. Garnish with bacon and serve.

Calories: ~350 per serving (1 cup).

Tips:

Use fresh clams for the best flavor. Serve with oyster crackers or crusty bread.

8. Harira (Morocco)

A tomato-based soup with lentils and chickpeas.

Ingredients:

1 cup lentils
1 can chickpeas, drained
1 onion, diced
2 cups tomato puree
4 cups vegetable stock
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp ground cinnamon
Fresh cilantro (for garnish)

Instructions:

Sauté onion with spices. Add tomato puree and stock. Add lentils and cook until tender. Stir in chickpeas and simmer for 10 minutes. Garnish with cilantro.

Calories: ~250 per serving (1 cup).

Tips:

Add small pieces of lamb for a heartier version. Serve with flatbread or dates for a traditional touch.

Read here how to make Harira

9. Chicken Tortilla Soup (Mexico)

A spicy and flavorful chicken soup topped with tortilla strips.

Ingredients:

1 lb shredded chicken
4 cups chicken stock
1 can diced tomatoes
1 cup corn kernels
1 tsp chili powder
1 avocado, diced
Tortilla strips and fresh cilantro (for garnish)

Instructions:

Simmer stock with tomatoes, corn, and chili powder. Add chicken and cook for 10 minutes. Serve with tortilla strips, avocado, and cilantro.

Calories: ~300 per serving (1 bowl).

Tips:

Add cheese or sour cream for extra creaminess. Roast tortilla strips for a healthier topping.

10. Ramen (Japan)

A savory noodle soup with rich broth and toppings.

Ingredients:

4 cups chicken or pork broth
1 package ramen noodles
2 eggs, soft-boiled
1 cup sliced pork belly
Green onions and nori (for garnish)

Instructions:

Heat broth and cook noodles separately. Assemble noodles, broth, and pork in bowls. Top with eggs, green onions, and nori.

Calories: ~400 per serving (1 bowl).

Tips:

Use miso or soy sauce to flavor the broth. Add vegetables like bok choy or mushrooms for variety.

Read here how to make Ramen

Origin and History

Soup is one of the oldest dishes in human history, dating back thousands of years to when early societies simmered bones, grains, and vegetables over open fires. Nearly every culture has developed its own interpretation of soup, often shaped by geography, climate, and the availability of ingredients. From hearty broths meant to sustain farmers to light, refreshing soups designed for hot weather, these dishes reflect not just sustenance but also tradition.

For example, French onion soup has roots in 18th-century Parisian taverns, while Japan’s miso soup traces back over a millennium to Buddhist monks who promoted its health benefits. In Mexico, pozole carries ceremonial significance, often eaten during celebrations and holidays, while Italian minestrone evolved as a peasant dish, changing with the seasons depending on which vegetables were available.

These soups are more than just meals; they’re cultural expressions. Each bowl tells a story of resilience, resourcefulness, and community, offering a delicious glimpse into the history of a nation or region.

How Long You Take to Prepare

The time it takes to prepare these global soups varies significantly. Quick and simple recipes, like Greek avgolemono (a lemon-egg soup), can be ready in under 30 minutes, making them perfect for weeknight dinners. Others, such as Vietnamese pho, may require hours of simmering to extract the rich, layered flavors from beef bones and spices.

Most of these soups fall somewhere in between, taking about 45 minutes to 1.5 hours to prepare. Soups like Indian lentil dal or Moroccan harira rely on simmering to meld spices and aromatics, but they don’t demand constant attention. While the pot bubbles away, you can easily prepare accompaniments like bread or rice.

For the ambitious cook, some recipes like Russian borscht or Thai tom yum may involve additional preparation of vegetables, proteins, or spice pastes. Still, even these more complex soups reward the effort with vibrant flavors that far surpass store-bought versions.

Serving Suggestions

When serving these soups, consider how locals traditionally enjoy them. Pho is best served steaming hot with fresh herbs, lime, and chili on the side for customization. French onion soup calls for crusty bread topped with melted cheese, broiled until golden and bubbly. Minestrone, on the other hand, pairs beautifully with a drizzle of olive oil and freshly grated Parmesan.

For lighter soups like miso soup or avgolemono, smaller bowls work best as a starter before a main course. Meanwhile, heartier dishes such as pozole or dal can serve as the centerpiece of a meal, especially when paired with sides like tortillas or naan bread.

Adding drinks to the table can elevate the experience — a glass of wine with onion soup, a light beer with borscht, or hot tea with miso soup creates a well-rounded dining experience. Presentation matters too: serving soups in rustic bowls or elegant soup cups can set the tone, whether casual or celebratory.

Final Thoughts

Exploring soups from around the world is a journey in itself, offering a chance to taste diverse cultures without leaving your kitchen. Each bowl brings with it a story of tradition, geography, and identity, making cooking and eating these dishes a cultural experience as much as a culinary one.

What makes these soups special is their accessibility. Whether you’re simmering bones for hours or whisking together a quick broth, each recipe emphasizes comfort, nourishment, and flavor. They remind us that food can be both humble and profound, offering satisfaction while connecting us to centuries of culinary history.

Ultimately, these 10 must-try soups are more than just recipes to bookmark — they’re invitations to slow down, share a meal, and appreciate the universal language of good food. By trying them at home, you not only expand your cooking repertoire but also bring a piece of the world to your table.