Soup is an integral part of the human diet and a universal remedy for all occasions. Some of them help with colds or hangovers, others help you lose weight, and fish soups are useful in every way. April 5 is International Soup Day all over the world, and we can't miss this event. Let's go around the world and see what soups are popular in different countries.
Pho Bo (Vietnam)
Pho Bo is a traditional Vietnamese soup made of beef and noodles with herbs and spices. Thanks to its simplicity and cheapness, it has gained wide popularity among the poor local population, who, surprisingly, prefer it for breakfast.
The most important thing in this dish is the rich broth, which according to the rules must be boiled for at least 12 hours with cloves, cinnamon, ginger, saffron and other spices. Street vendors boil it continuously throughout the day in large pots, periodically renewing the ingredients.
This is one of those soups that you have to assemble yourself. A bowl of broth, noodles and pieces of meat is served with plenty of herbs and spices, which are added to taste.
Real pho bo can be tasted in street cafes that specialize only in this soup. It is usually a simple establishment with long metal tables, usually open until 11 am. The main point of reference is the large number of local people inside.
Price per serving: $1-2.
Palots Levesz (Hungary)
Goulash is the culinary hallmark of Hungary, and not a single meal is complete without it. As a rule, the meal ends with this dish, as there is no strength to eat something else. In restaurants, the portions are large, thick and hearty. This is why Palots Levesh looks more like goulash than soup.
The main ingredients: lamb, onions, sweet and hot peppers are stewed for 2-2.5 hours, then mixed with broth and only then boiled. The last touch - adding a dressing of garlic, sour cream, flour and dill - makes the soup even thicker. And do not forget about paprika, which is nicknamed "red gold" in the country. It gives the soup not only a rich color, but also a rich flavor.
If you are in Budapest, visit small places like Lanchid Brasserie, Hungarikum Bisztro or For Sale Pub. In these places this soup is delicious.
Price per serving: $3.50 to $4.50.
Onion soup (France)
Onion soup is a classic of French cuisine. Originally from Lyon, this soup used to be considered the food of the poor. However, gradually it was looked at and tasted, and it was decided that in noble circles it would also be served. Even the wizards from the Harry Potter universe spoke favorably of it.
The word "soup" comes from the Latin word "suppa", which literally means "a piece of bread that has been dipped in gravy", and onion soup is a clear example of this. It is the crouton with garlic and melted cheese, which is placed on top of the finished portion, that distinguishes this dish from all others.
If you don't like the taste of onions, no problem. In the process of cooking, it practically disappears. It is not for nothing that white wine is added during long breading, and 50 grams of cognac are poured into the broth. Keep in mind, this soup will warm you up at any time of the year, especially since it is prepared in almost all restaurants in France.
Price per serving: from 4€.
Gazpacho (Spain)
Spaniards are a hot people. The local entertainment includes bullfighting, running away from herds of bulls, and La Tomatina, a mass shooting of tomatoes at each other. Gazpacho soup is designed to cool down the hot Spanish fervor, so it is served not just cold, but very cold.
Gazpacho is a soup made from chopped tomatoes, cucumbers, sweet peppers and pickled onions. Bread crumbs are used to make it thick. All this is crushed to a homogeneous mass, put in the refrigerator for some time, and before serving diluted with tomato juice or white dry wine.
The key to good gazpacho is good tomatoes. The finished portion should be provided with a sprig of herbs and a splash of lemon juice. Light and refreshing, and most importantly - full of vitamins, Spanish summer soup can be tasted in almost any cafe.
Price per serving: 5€
Miso soup (Japan)
If the Spanish are famous for their fiery temper, the Japanese are famous for their longevity. This is because they eat miso soup, or "misoshiru" in Japanese, for breakfast, lunch and dinner. This dish has been one of the most popular in Japan for several centuries.
And it is not by chance, because miso soup is very healthy. It contains unique ingredients rich in vitamins and nutrients, which you can't find except in Japan.
One of them is miso paste based on soybeans. The second ingredient is dried wakame seaweed. Dashi dried fish broth is also an essential part of the soup, even if the main broth is meat. Finally, tofu is soy cheese, which is placed in large slices in the plate.
Price per serving: $2-4
Zurek (Poland)
Zurek is a unique soup that can't be found in any other cuisine in the world. But in Poland, it can be found in almost every restaurant and even in families. It is the rye sourdough, which is the basis of the dish, that gives it its unique flavor.
The starter itself, made of rye breadcrumbs, flour, garlic, oregano pepper and bay leaf, should insist for about 4 days. When it acquires the smell of pickles, you can start cooking the soup itself. Smoked sausages are boiled, carrots, potatoes, herbs, boiled eggs and sour cream are added.
Either to save money or to attract tourists, Polish restaurants tend to serve zurek in a piece of bread instead of a traditional plate. On the other hand, it's convenient (no need to wash dishes), but most importantly, it's delicious.
The Market Square area of the Old Town in Warsaw has a concentration of cafes with national cuisine, each of which offers zhurek, but prices are lower in the Krakow suburbs.
Price per serving: $2-3
Chile con carne (Mexico)
Mexican cuisine is famous for its spiciness, and chili con carne soup has not been spared this fate. The name of the dish means "chili with meat". And literally a couple of spoonfuls of this culinary delicacy will turn you from an ordinary tourist into a fire-breathing dragon.
The soup itself resembles more of a stew. Meat, red beans, vegetables, tomato paste and spices are added to the beef broth. Do not forget about the chili pepper. The meat is put in the form of minced meat, which makes this culinary masterpiece really thick. The secret ingredient is the iron nerves of the cook, because all the components need to be stewed in one pot for several hours.
Like many national dishes, chili con carne has many variations of preparation: vegetarian, with cheese and sour cream, and even with chocolate. However, the spiciness is its main draw.
Price per serving: $4.50 to $5.50.
Lohikeitto (Finland)
Despite the fact that Finland produces a lot of fish, Finns only eat Lochikeitto soup on holidays. Tourists are lucky in this respect, they can try this wonderful dish on any day and in almost any café or restaurant in Helsinki.
A more convenient name for this soup is "creamy ear". The recipe is very simple, and if you want, you can easily prepare it at home. First boil the ear, and near the end we pour in cream with a fat content of 20%. A couple of spoons of butter will not hurt either. Well, if the soup is allowed to stand for 24 hours, it will become even tastier.
Finland is one of the most expensive countries in Europe, so if you decide to dine in a restaurant, pay attention to Kalakeitto soup. This is a cheaper version, where white fish is used instead of red fish, and milk is used instead of cream.
Price per serving: 11-12€.
Swallow's Nest Soup (China)
It is hard to imagine how man came up with the idea of eating birds' nests. Soup from the nests of swifts is one of the strangest and most expensive dishes in the world. Just imagine: the price for 1 kg of nests can reach 10 thousand dollars.
But this is not surprising, as nest collectors literally risk their lives in their work, climbing up the cliffs on flimsy wooden ladders. "Harvesting" doesn't happen often - only three times a year - and the labor-intensive cleaning process adds to the cost of the finished product.
It is believed that the soup is very useful and when eaten for a long time can improve the performance of almost all organs. Bird's nests are poured with chicken broth, and the finished portion is sprinkled with green onions and ham. Broiled bird's nests have a consistency similar to jelly and not everyone will like them.
Price per serving: $30 to $100
Shkembe chorba (Bulgaria)
Shkembe chorba is a must-have dish on the menu of any self-respecting national restaurant in Bulgaria. It is a spicy, hearty and, for some people, insanely delicious soup that is popular among Bulgarians.
It is made from lamb or beef scars. During cooking, the scars emit a terrible "aroma", so at home only the most resistant will go through the whole process to the end. But after several hours of cooking, the odor disappears and the rumen can be used in soup.
Škembe chorba is also called "hangover soup" and is often consumed with cold beer. If you've been out partying the night before, a bowl of this unusual soup will get you back on your feet in no time. Keep in mind, however, that not everyone will like it.
There is no middle ground on skembe chorba: you will either love this soup from the first spoonful or you won't be able to eat it.
Price per serving: $2
Alla -
I love soups))))) have been wanting to make onion soup for a long time, after such a great review I will do it for sure))))))