As the leaves change into their autumnal colours and the air crisps, the need for a meal that will warm both your insides and hands skyrockets. And what’s better than a liquid meal that can be a vehicle for many different flavours and cultures? Soup Season is upon us, and this now gentrified peasant meal’s virality grows every time you bookmark a TikTok recipe you may or may not forget about by the next 10 second video that pops up on your feed. 

But what is this seasonal phenomenon? If you’re anything like me, soup is a crucial part of nourishment in the colder months. With its versatility and ability to feed the masses, it is an easy crowd-pleaser at any dinner party. Not only that, with the hustle and bustle of work and school, its bulk sizing makes it an easy meal prep for lunches and dinners throughout the workweek—with some soups, getting better each passing day. My family always marks the first day of fall with some sort of soup to warm the soul, and I’ve carried this into my adult life as I began to live on my own. This year’s draft pick: plant-based Chicken soup (may I recommend Sons of Butchers ‘Trick’n strips’ for any of your shredded chicken needs) with leeks, lots of dill and itty bitty pastina and/or orzo pasta to thicken the broth.

But the beauty of soup—especially when shared—is the love surrounding its process. The smell of a Mirepoix (french term for carrots, onions, garlic and celery sauteed in butter to make the base of a broth-based soup) fills the home, causing your flatmates to trickle into the kitchen asking what’s on the stove. The time that it takes to make a soup, while most of it is just waiting while the pot simmers, shows dedication and devotion to those you cook for. 

Moreover, soup has been promoted as a cure-all for ailments; many mothers and grandmothers alike have that one soup that they swear will heal all sorts of flu and colds. From Campbell’s ‘just what the doctor ordered” advertisements, to the term ‘Jewish penicillin’ —this carries an air of remedy wherever you look. While soup’s steam and liquidity do aid in clearing the nose, and its ability to be easily digestible amid illness, it’s the caretaking quality of preparing it for loved ones that shines as its main cultural heartwarmer. 

Here are a few places that may broaden your soup horizons this season, and may become your new favourite spots:

1. Matzo Ball Soup at Deli 613, Dublin 06: A Traditional Jewish Deli dishing out the best Matzo ball soup in Dublin by a mile. This  soup, primarily served at Passover, is my personal hangover cure. With its tender but not mushy matzo ball and chicken broth seasoned to perfection—this one you can’t miss. Served off and on throughout the week, so hopefully you get lucky. €3 for a small €4.50 for a large. Pairs well with a latke, or if taking it to go—grab a bagel, toast it and dip away. 
2. Tom Kha (Gai) at Neon Asian Street Food, Dublin 02: Right on Camden Street, this Thai coconut based soup is a staple in comfort Asian cuisine. This was the soup my dad would get for me whenever I was feeling a bit ill. While I promised to be forever loyal to my hometown’s Thai spot, this one comes close in both flavour and its not-too-terrible price point. This soup is packed full of chicken, mushrooms, spring onions, and coriander. The lemon grass and lime leaves give it this subtle tang that soothes the throat and satisfies the soul. Adding some extra spice to it also intensifies the flavours and clears out the nose nicely. At €7 for the chicken option, try it out—though with the multitude of Thai places around the city, don’t let this recommendation stop you from finding your favourite rendition of Tom Kha.
3. Hot and Sour Soup at Lee’s Charming Noodles, Dublin 01: The choices of Asian food on Parnell street are endless, but this version of the peppery and vinegary soup is to die for. There’s a variety of veggies, Shiitake Mushrooms, and Bamboo shoots in the soup to add flavour and varying textures for a literal “party in your mouth.” Now, if you’re turned off by the thought of vinegar in your soup—don’t be. It’s addition doesn’t make the mouth curl and pucker, but adds a sort of acidic tartness that balances out the white pepper heat making each mouthful memorable. Priced at €6.50 with a healthy portion, definitely make this a staple in your soup rotation. 

Honourable mentions:

Soup Dragon, Dublin 7, pumpkin chilli and coconut soup

Han Sung, Dublin 7, Kimchi jjigae

Pho Kim, Dublin 1, Pho Ga (add chilli paste)

While soup shouldn’t JUST be confined to the fall and winter months, it’s a quintessential meal that will make your cold evenings worthwhile—and can help bring your friends and loved ones together through the joy of food. Enjoy soup season 2023!