LET’S GO SOMEPLACE FOR COMFORTING SOUP

By Kathleen Mest

As we enter “sweater weather,” it also means it’s the perfect time for soup! A hug in a bowl. Comforting for the soul. Soup warms you from the inside out.

With so many choices, I agonized over this list (as my husband can attest) which was not in the least comforting, ironically. Soups can be personal, like a good friend, and I wholeheartedly apologize to the soups that I didn’t include. It was a wonderful journey revisiting old favorites and discovering new soups.

Here is my short list (and I could definitely make a long one!) of ten soups that nourish my body, spirit, and taste buds.

Tonkotsu Ramen

(Photo courtesy of Hiro Nori Craft Ramen)

Hiro Nori Craft Ramen

610 E. Carson Street, 90807

This soup always feeds my soul. Of course, I’ve tried other ramens, but end up saying, “It’s not as good as Hiro Nori.” During the pandemic, the Tonkotsu ramen was on our take-out rotation. The 24-hour simmered pork bone broth is silky and complex; and is topped with bean sprouts, green onion, spinach, a half egg, seaweed, wood ear mushrooms, and pork chashu (Japanese braised pork belly). I like to add fresh minced garlic to mine and when I feel like splurging… I add an extra ramen egg.

Tuscan Tomato Soup

Belmont Brewing Co

25 39th Pl, 90803

A foodie friend turned me onto this soup. Served with a puffed pastry, this tomato soup is sweet, tangy, and creamy. Watching the beach waves, feeling the ocean breeze on their heated patio while enjoying a warm bowl of tomato soup… add a grilled cheese sandwich (lunch menu only), it’s absolute contentment.

Cambodian Beef And Meatballs Noodle Soup (Ka’thiew)

Phnom Penh Noodle Shack

1644 Cherry Ave, 90813

My neighbor and her family have been dining here since the 90s, when it was literally a small 500 square foot shack. A local community favorite, the restaurant has a homey, warm vibe with a gallery of photos and food columns framed on pale yellow walls. Per my neighbor’s instructions, I ordered the soup “dry” with the broth on the side. The broth comes out in a separate bowl with a large beef bone with marrow (when available)! I added broth to the noodles, as needed, and enjoyed my “two” meals - slurping the wet noodles and eating meat off the bone. An order of cha quai (fried bread sticks) is necessary to dip into the broth or, as a treat, dip into coffee with sweetened condensed milk. The clear broth is made of beef bone that has been simmered for hours and your “dry” bowl has fresh noodles with plenty of thinly sliced beef, meatballs, cilantro, garlic and scallions. Absolutely delicious, the portion is really enough for two!

New England Clam Chowder

(Photos by Monique Kuhlman)

Berth 55 - Fish Market & Seafood Deli

555 Pico Ave, 90802 (Queens Wharf)

Walk past the case of fresh catch on ice to the register and order yourself a Clam Chowder in a sourdough bread bowl. The Deli is counter service and there is plenty of outside seating at large bright blue picnic tables under bright blue shades overlooking commercial fishing boats and Berth 54. The chowder is thick and clam-my, with small cut potatoes and vegetables. Together, this is a quintessential seafood experience.

Caldo De Albóndigas

El Burrito Grill

4101 N. Bellflower Blvd, 90808 | 5211 PCH, 90804

Mexican meatball soup is just what your body ordered. Nourishing and hearty, owner Jose makes his albóndigas with a tomato base, bite-size chunks of vegetables, medium-size meatballs (not too big, but probably shouldn’t put the whole thing in your mouth at once) and Mexican rice. For those looking for a Chicken Tortilla soup with a chicken broth base, El Burrito Grill has a good one, too. Note: In their Lakewood Village location, the soups are found on the hand menu, but not listed on the menu board.

French Onion

Bake N’ Broil

3697 Atlantic Ave, 90807

The French Onion is like Bake N’ Broil itself, “simply good food.” Owned by the Jongewaards since 1965, the restaurant is the epitome of comfort food and home cooking. A seat at the counter is my favorite spot where you can feel the buzz of activity and watch the customer interactions. Offering four soups daily, the French Onion is always available. It is a deeply flavored dark broth, full of onions, topped with homemade seasoned croutons (a mix of breads) with a great cheese pull. As one of my daughter’s favorite soups, we try to order it as often as we can.

Maharaja Soup

(Photo courtesy of Appu's Turmeric Cafe)

Appu’s Turmeric Cafe

2211A Palo Verde Ave, 90815

Appu’s is a vegan/vegetarian cafe that promotes a low-fat healthy eating lifestyle. WIth six flavorful soup offerings, my favorite is the Maharaja. I’m cheating a little… It's two of their soups, their signature mushroom soup and spinach soup, deliciously blended into one. With mushrooms, turmeric, spinach, cumin, and chunks of paneer, it is a delightfully complicated and creamy soup. For a vegan option, the Turmeric Lentil soup is my second favorite with blended yellow lentils, ginger, and loaded with turmeric.

Tom Kha Gai

(Photo by Monique Kuhlman)

Bai Plu Thai & Sushi

2119 Bellflower Blvd, 90815

My family loves this spicy (mild spice level for us!) chicken coconut soup with mushrooms, galanga (from the ginger family), lemongrass, lime juice and chili. We like to add white rice to soak up all the amazing flavors. Full of thin strips of chicken and mushrooms, the creamy coconut contrasts deliciously with the lightness and freshness of citrus. It’s a must-have dish when we have Thai cuisine. And I will always have wonderful memories of the owner holding my baby when, as a new family, my husband and I would venture out into the world. Yes, this is a comforting soup.

Roasted Poblano Soup

Cafe Lorel

5203 PCH, 90804

Daily house-made soups rotate weekly out of owner Lorella’s small but mighty kitchen at Cafe Lorel. Checkered tablecloths and comfy vignettes dot the cafe + coffee house where she serves 1-2 selections per day from her personal soup recipes. Roasted Poblano (one of the regulars’ favorites) is usually available on Thursdays; call to find out which of her delicious soups (and lunch specials) are being offered. Sweet and creamy with a medium spice kick (for me) and hints of corn, this soup warms your insides and is slightly addictive; you can easily finish a bowl before you know it.

Sinigang Na Baboy

Kainan Sa Kanto

5521 Del Amo Blvd, Lakewood, 90713

Did I save my favorite soup for last? Maybe. This savory and sour Filipino soup can be cooked with a variety of proteins (fish, shrimp, beef) but I love it with bony, meaty pork that has been simmering in the broth for hours. I usually make this soup at home, but luckily my go-to take-out Filipino restaurant for lumpia shanghai (fried eggrolls) serves Sinigang Na Baboy on Wednesdays. The tamarind flavored broth was filled with pork ribs, bok choy, green beans, tomato, onions, and I always eat it with white rice drowning in the soup. Many times, this was the dish I would request from my parents on my birthday. Could I eat this soup everyday? Maybe.