20 Warm and Cozy Soups From Around the World


This winter, dial up the simple pleasures in life-like quality time spent with family, evenings fireside, or a warm bowl of life-renewing soup. There’s just something about savory, aromatic soup that feels like a reset button for the soul. And it’s not just in America—soups across the globe are beloved favorites made for celebrations, lauded for their healing properties, or often enjoyed because they are just darn delicious. Here are 15 international soups you should be cooking this season.

Restaurant Style Chinese Egg Drop Soup

Photographer: Jake Sternquist / Food Styling: Shannon Goforth / Prop Styling: Dera Burreson


Feeling too tired to even bother with ordering and pickup from your favorite Chinese restaurant? With just seven ingredients that you likely already have on hand, make a restaurant-worthy egg drop soup that will soothe your soul.

“This Egg Drop soup is born from a love of the soup and MANY trips to my favorite Chinese restaurant (asking them many questions) resulting in this variation,” says recipe creator W.J. Cory. And the 700 five-star ratings prove that it’s a hit!

Ukrainian Red Borscht Soup

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Beet soup gets gussied up in this veggie-rich beef-spiked version of the Ukrainian and Russian classic. Onion, carrots, cabbage, and, of course, beets intermingle with tender delicious pork sausage in a rich red stew, topped with fresh dill and a dollop of sour cream.

“Turned out just as good as the Ukrainian Restaurant’s near my house,” said one reviewer. Another chimed in saying, “My husband HATES beets and he loved it!”

Japanese Miso Soup

Photographer: Carson Downing / Food Styling: Holly Dreesman / Prop Styling: Gabriel Greco


A warm bowl of Miso Soup hits the spot on a cold winter day. Plus, it’s only takes a handful of ingredients to put it together!

“This recipe was so easy and so delicious! i added a little bit of wakame seaweed and a dash of sesame oil to mine and it turned out incredible,” shared one reviewer.

Vietnamese Pho

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This soup demands time, but it’s well worth the wait. Vietnamese pho puts “chicken soup for the soul” to shame with its dazzling flavor profile. Beef bones imbue the stock with rich minerals and nutrients, while onion, ginger, salt, star anise, and a dash of fish sauce awaken the palate. Toothsome rice noodles and sliced sirloin, can be paired with your choice of toppings: cilantro, green onion, bean sprouts, Thai basil, lime wedges, hoisin sauce, and chile-garlic sauce.

“This is definitely not a fast meal, but worth the time,” says Allrecipes member Walter Kapp. “I added some peppercorns and some coriander seeds to the simmering broth. Other than that I followed the recipe. We enjoyed it fully. Awesome flavor.”

Italian Zuppa Toscana

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This Americanized version of an Italian classic is good—but don’t take our word for it. Over 3,000 home cooks have rated it 5-stars! Sausage, potatoes, bacon, onion, garlic, and spinach come together for a creamy belly-filling bowl.

“The fam devoured the soup and we enjoyed watching the falling snow while soothing with a great winter soup,” shared one reviewer.

Mexican Menudo Rojo

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Menudo is a beloved Mexican soup made with nutrient-rich tripe, hominy, and a team of peppers. Garnish with the classic chopped white onion, cilantro, and lime, and prepare to be wowed.

“Tastes just like my abuela used to make,” said reviewer Crystal Lewis. “Super easy to make as well.”

Vegetarian Moroccan Harira

Being vegan or vegetarian does not mean you have to miss out on serious flavor. And dishes like this famous Moroccan soup prove that point. Tomatoes and chickpeas anchor the dish, which is rich with herbs like cilantro, parsley, and mint, as well as spices like paprika, turmeric, saffron, ginger, and harissa. Adjust the thickness to your liking and prepare to be impressed.

“This recipe is deliciously thick and chewy, and goes great on rice,” raved one reviewer. “The words vegetarian and vegan might deter some people but let me assure you it is as good as any meaty soup.”

Greek Avgolemono Chicken Soup

Allrecipes

This Greek soup is based on avgolemono, meaning “egg and lemon,” a light broth-forward soup. This variation incorporates chicken and rice. “This is the traditional recipe made in Greek kitchens,” says Allrecipes member, dimitra, who shared the recipe.

“Second time around for me with this soup and it came out delicious,” said Allrecipes member Sue Neyland. “I ended up using shredded chicken breasts in place of the whole chicken but it didn’t hurt the taste. One of my all-time favorite recipes!’

French Onion Soup Gratinée

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Caramelized onions in a red-wine-and-Worcestershire-spiked beef broth marry sweet, savory, and aromatic flavors. This piping hot bowl of heavenly onion soup is topped with a toasted slice of French baguette crowned in melted Gruyere cheese—all of which must be enjoyed immediately.

“I have been making it for 30 years and it never fails to please,” says recipe creator Jersey Tomato. “It makes an exquisite presentation, too!”

Spicy Chicken Thai Soup

Photographer: Jake Sternquist / Food Styling: Shannon Goforth / Prop Styling: Dera Burreson


Fresh lemongrass and ginger root permeate this coconut-y aromatic broth, which swirls with notes of fish sauce, garlic, red curry, and lime. Chicken, mushrooms, and red onion soak up the flavor, and the bowl is topped off with cilantro, lime wedges, and fresh sliced jalapenos. Chef John notes: “By controlling the amount of [spicy red curry] paste you add, you can tailor this to your own threshold of pain.”

Brazilian Moqueca de Peixe Baiana

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This fish stew, called moqueca, is a very typical, traditional Brazilian dish that originated in the Northeast. The palm oil gives it its distinctive flavor. Serve hot with white rice or coconut rice.

Turkish Red Lentil ‘Bride’ Soup

This one-pot dish is a classic Turkish soup of red lentils, bulgur, butter, onion, tomato, cayenne, and dried mint, normally garnished with lemon and freshly chopped mint. Although this soup lacks meat, it is a substantial and filling dish, traditionally given to brides to fortify them for the journey of marriage.

“There is no way to mess this recipe up,” shared one reviewer. “It is easy peasy with a minimal amount of dicing involved. It is nutritious and delicious. Perfect in the cooler months. I love it!”

West African Peanut Soup

Photographer: Brie Goldman / Food Styling: Addelyn Evans / Prop Styling: Gabriel Greco


This African favorite marries the flavors of earthy sweet potato with nutty, creamy peanut butter for an unforgettable treat. Tomato, ginger, onion, and garlic round out the veggies. Feel free to add more spices such coriander, cinnamon, cloves, or cayenne for extra depth. Top with cilantro and chopped peanuts—enjoy!

“This soup is AMAZING!!!,” raved one reviewer. “I have made this time and time again! Best comforting tasty soup ever!”

Italian Cioppino

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Cod fillets, shrimp, bay scallops, clams, and mussels—oh, my! This succulent seafood cooks in a classic tomato sauce with white wine, onions, garlic, and herbs.

“Love, love, love! The broth is to die for, so make sure to have that bread handy,” suggested one Allrecipes user. “Couldn’t get clams so they were omitted but I don’t think it affected the outcome. A wonderful recipe full of flavor that no seafood lover should be without!”

Spanish Sopa de Ajo

This fragrant dish takes the classic Spanish garlic-and-bread soup, sopa de ajo, and incorporates warming spices like cayenne and paprika with generous slices of garlic, ham, and cubes of toasted French bread. And that’s not all. “It’s also topped with eggs poached in a fragrant, brick-red broth,” says Chef John. “It’s like a steaming bowl of breakfast-for-dinner.”

“This is one of those special dishes where the flavors come together to create a totally unique flavor,” said Allrecipes member Kar. “No one ingredient sticks out; it is a delicious blend of all of them.”

British-Indian Mulligatawny Soup

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Get ready to meet your new favorite soup: mulligatawny. Hearty, bright, and deliciously spiced —mulligatawny is the ultimate cold weather meal. “Amazing, seriously the best soup I’ve ever had,” said one Allrecipes user.

Puerto Rican Asopao de Pollo

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“I grew up in Puerto Rico and this dish is very familiar to me,” shared one Allrecipes member. “That said I had not made it in years and decided to look up a recipe to jolt my memory and came across this one. The asopao came out so good that everyone in my family absolutely loved it! This is a keeper for sure!”

Persian Ash Reshteh

Allrecipes Magazine


Ash Reshteh is a Persian noodle soup packed with pinto beans, chickpeas, lentils, and herbs that has the consistency of stew. It’s traditionally eaten on the 13th day of Nowruz (Persian New Year), when celebrators spend time in nature to avoid potential bad luck at home.

Polish Potato Soup

John Mitzewich


“What makes this Polish potato soup extraordinary is the addition of chopped dill pickle, pickle juice, and plenty of fresh dill,” said Chef John, who shared the recipe. “These ingredients, plus tangy sour cream, create a delicious, complex, comforting potato soup. I find it a comforting soup to eat, but the true comfort, the true relaxation comes from the process of making the soup.”

Filipino Chicken Tinola

Photographer: Fred Hardy II / Food Styling: Jennifer Wendorf / Prop Styling: Hannah Greenwood


“I love this recipe. It’s pretty close to my Grandmother’s recipe and I’ve used it many times,” shared one Allrecipes member. “My kids always ask for it. I add more chayote and don’t always add the spinach. It’s pretty easy to prep and make. I highly recommend it.”


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