1. Banga Soup | Nigeria
A Rich, Spicy Soup from Nigeria’s Niger Delta
Banga is made from oil palm fruits, catfish, beef, and dried seafood, creating a rich, flavorful broth. It’s often paired with eba, a starchy side made from cassava.
2. Beef Pho (Phở Bò) | Vietnam
Aromatic Beef Noodle Soup from Vietnam
Beef pho is a fragrant noodle soup made by simmering beef with cinnamon, star anise, and other spices for hours. It’s the classic Vietnamese comfort food, often served with herbs, lime, and bean sprouts.
3. Borscht | Ukraine
Ukrainian Beet Soup with a Tangy Twist
Borscht is a vibrant, beet-based soup typically served with sour cream. It often includes kvass (fermented beet juice) and is a beloved dish across Eastern Europe, especially in Ukraine.
4. Bouillabaisse | France
A Classic Fish Stew from Marseille
Bouillabaisse is a Mediterranean fish stew from Marseille, featuring a variety of fresh fish, saffron, garlic, olive oil, and tomatoes. It’s typically served with a side of rouille sauce and crusty bread.
5. Caldo Verde | Portugal
Hearty Portuguese Kale Soup
A comforting soup from Portugal’s Minho region, caldo verde combines thinly sliced kale, potatoes, onions, and chorizo sausage, creating a warming and satisfying dish.
6. Chorba Frik | Algeria, Libya, and Tunisia
North African Soup with a Rich Tomato Broth
Chorba frik is a tomato-based soup featuring freekeh (green durum wheat), chickpeas, and stewed meat such as chicken or lamb. It’s especially popular during Ramadan.
7. Chupe de Camarones | Peru
Creamy Shrimp Soup with Potatoes and Corn from Peru
A specialty from Arequipa, chupe de camarones is a creamy shrimp chowder flavored with aji amarillo (yellow chili pepper) and served with Andean potatoes and corn.
8. Gazpacho | Spain
Chilled Spanish Vegetable Soup for Hot Summer Days
Gazpacho is a refreshing cold soup made from tomatoes, cucumbers, garlic, and olive oil. It’s perfect for summer, especially in Andalusia, where it’s a favorite to beat the heat.
9. Groundnut Soup | West Africa
A Creamy Peanut Soup from West Africa
Groundnut soup, made with peanuts and a variety of meats (chicken, fish, or goat), is a rich and creamy dish enjoyed throughout West Africa. It often includes spicy Scotch bonnet peppers for a fiery kick.
10. Gumbo | United States
A Hearty Louisiana Stew with Seafood, Chicken, and Sausage
Gumbo is a quintessential Southern dish from Louisiana, blending French, African, and Native American influences. It’s made with a rich roux, filé powder, and often served with rice.
11. Harira | Morocco
Moroccan Chickpea Soup with Spices and Meat
Harira is a savory soup made from chickpeas, tomatoes, and spices like cinnamon and turmeric. It’s traditionally eaten during Ramadan and is often served with lamb or beef.
12. Kharcho | Georgia
Georgian Beef Soup with Plum Sauce and Walnuts
Kharcho is a hearty soup from Georgia, made with tender beef, a tart plum sauce (tkemali), and ground walnuts, giving it a unique, rich flavor. It’s spiced with khmeli suneli, a Georgian spice mix.
13. Lanzhou Beef Noodle Soup | China
Hand-Pulled Noodles in a Rich Beef Broth from China
Lanzhou beef noodle soup features hand-pulled noodles in a flavorful beef broth, topped with tender beef slices, radishes, and chili oil. It’s a famous street food in China.
14. Mohinga | Myanmar
Myanmar’s Beloved Fish Soup with Rice Noodles
Mohinga is a traditional breakfast soup in Myanmar, made from fish, rice noodles, and a broth thickened with toasted rice powder. It’s packed with aromatic herbs and spices.
15. Menudo | Mexico
Hearty Mexican Tripe Soup
Menudo is a traditional Mexican soup made with tripe and hominy, often consumed as a hangover cure. It’s served with fresh onions, chiles, and cilantro and can be red (menudo rojo) or white (menudo blanco).
16. Moqueca de Camarão | Brazil
Brazilian Shrimp Soup in Coconut Broth
Moqueca de camarão is a flavorful Brazilian shrimp soup made with coconut milk, palm oil, and tomatoes, creating a rich and aromatic dish from the Bahia region.
17. Soto Ayam | Indonesia
Indonesian Chicken Soup with Rich Spices
Soto ayam is an aromatic chicken noodle soup made with turmeric, star anise, cinnamon, and lemongrass. It’s often topped with boiled eggs and served with fried shallots and chili.
18. Tom Yum Goong | Thailand
A Spicy, Sour Thai Soup with Shrimp
Tom yum goong is a hot and sour Thai soup made with shrimp, galangal, lemongrass, lime leaves, and chili peppers, creating a complex and flavorful broth.
19. Tonkotsu Ramen | Japan
Rich Pork Bone Broth Ramen from Japan
Tonkotsu ramen is a rich and creamy Japanese noodle soup made by simmering pork bones for hours. It’s known for its cloudy broth and is often topped with pork belly, soft-boiled eggs, and noodles.
20. Yayla Çorbası | Turkey
Turkish Yogurt Soup with Rice and Mint
Yayla çorbası is a Turkish yogurt-based soup with rice and dried mint. It’s known for its healing properties and is often served in winter to ward off colds.