Good soups in LA?

[circe0723]

Hi,
I am looking for places that have great soups. I love Pho and Thai-style soups, but also interesting variations of classics or superior classic soups.
Any recommendations would be appreciated.
Thanks!
Claudia

[katydid13]

Canter's has awesome matzoh ball soup.

[Ernie]

Cocido de res or sopa de albóndigas at Mi India Bonita in East LA

[cleanhead]

I really like the soups at Studio Cafe Magazzino. Very simple all vegetarian( Brocolli, grean bead, tomatoe basil etc). It is a soup salad and sandwich place, near Warner Brothers and only open for lunch

818 953-7220
109 n. Pass Ave

[bulavinaka]

Izakaya Bincho at the Redondo Beach Pier does great small plates as well as two heart-warming soup dishes. zousui (or zosui) and tsukune dango nabe.

The zousui is basically a porridge of rice that has been simmered in a stock made from free-range chicken, where pieces of chicken and egg are added in to make this more of an entree. The perfection of this soup dish is evident in its clean taste, where the rice, stock, chicken and eggs play perfectly together.

The tsukune dango nabe is basically another chicken stock-based soup consisting of various vegetables and incredibly tasty chicken meatballs. The take on this is simplicity, where the stock and the meatballs telegraph an exquisite chicken flavor.

Both are prepared and served in a small metal urn (nabe). On a cold winter night, I can think of nothing better than these two soups to warm and comfort the soul.

[baloney]

Totally agree on the tsukune, great suggestion, bulavinaka. And you can't forget their agedashi tofu! I have to get it every single time I go, which is often.

[huaqiao]

I was reminded of this in another thread on a different board, but one of my favorite soups ever is the second course of Peking duck. When you order Peking duck, they'll usually serve the skin and meat with the buns/crepes, green onions, and sauce. The second course they'll take the bony parts that are left after they slice off the meat and cook it in a simple soup with tofu and bok choi. It sounds very basic, but the roast duck gives the soup a really rich flavor.

They remove all the solids from the soup before serving and place them on a plate. So what they bring you is a large crock of just the resulting broth which they ladle out to the table and a big plate of the bok choi, duck, and tofu that the soup was cooked with. You choose how much of that you want to put back into the broth in your bowl.

I've usually had this at Sam Woo in Irvine(my parents live there and SW is their go-to place), but I know I've had this same preperation at other places...just can't remember exactly where. We get it so often I tend to think of it as just another dish and don't bother remembering where I have it.

Anyway, it's something I'd recommend trying some time when you get the chance. You should ask the restaurant if they do the second preperation for Peking duck when you order as I'm not sure all places do.

[Hughlipton]

I used to get that at quan Jude. Hop Li does not do that preparation nor does Empress Pavillion. It would be interesting to hear if there is any place in Chinatown that does.

[Dorron M]

The Consommé Ranchero at Monte Alban is spectacular. I'm not much of a soup guy but I will gladly get this one any time.

From their menu: chicken broth with shredded chicken breast, chopped tomato, onion cilantro jalapeno, avocado and ranchero cheese.

It's corner Santa Monica Blvd and Brockton

Enjoy

[a_and_w]

Second that and would add their sopa azteca (tortilla soup) which is the soup that eats like a meal.

I'm also addicted to the ash (soup) at Attari sandwiches on Westwood.

[ozhead]

Also at Monte Alban: barbacoa de chiva, which is a bowl of spicy (but not hot) dense red broth with a great chunk of braised young goat in it, served with some chopped onions and herbs to mix in. I'm not sure if you'd call this a "soup" (I would, but you might not), but DANG it''s good.

[a_and_w]

I haven't tried it yet, but it looks amazing. Comes in a big stone bowl, as I recall.

[ozhead]

It is amazing, but I don't think it comes in a stone bowl -- not unless things have changed since the last time I had it a few months ago, when it came in a big green porcelain bowl. I think maybe the chicken soup is served in a big stone bowl, but I'm not sure. But the bowl is pretty much immaterial; what counts is what's IN the bowl. And that's some goooooooood goat 'n' broth.

[a_and_w]

Things may have changed because I remember asking the waitress what the heck was in those stone bowls. Also, I've ordered both the consumme ranchero and sopa azteca, and they didn't come in the stone bowl. Can't wait to try it -- thanks for the reminder!

[Hughlipton]

On Fridays and I think Saturdays Zachs on Cahuenga between Vineland and Lankershim (that may still be Ventura Blvd.) makes a really good clam chowder. Short of Zach's I have to travel to Ventura. DuPars used to have good split pea and good chowder on Friday but I haven't been there for their soup in 15 years.

[SaltCod]

I just had my favorite Chicken Noodle soup at Home in Silverlake. The new Home, not the one on Hilhurst. It was fantastic!!

[westsidegal]

not exactly what you are looking for, but so excellent that it must be mentioned:

the shrimp soup at mariscos chente
and
the fish soup at maricos chente

Mariscos Chente 4532 S. Centinela(at Gilmore )Mar Vista, CA

[delishdonna]

I love the shio ramen at Asahi Ramen on Sawtelle in West LA. Their Gyoza are also very good.

[OCAnn]

In OC, Ruta's has great home-made soups.

-----
Rutabegorz Restaurant
211 N Pomona Ave, Fullerton, CA 92832

[PurpleTeeth]

Duck Noodle Soup at Daisy Mint is Pasadena

Goat Soup at My Taco in Highland Park

The Polish Tripe Soup at Polka

[circe0723]

I will try out all three. thanks

[ceviche]

i thought My Taco served sheep, not goat? either way, whatever is in that dish is AMAZING.

[PurpleTeeth]

definatly goat.

[ceviche]

no wonder i liked it better than the lamb soup i had earlier that day.

[PurpleTeeth]

yes, it's a bit more funky and rich. I am craving that soup right now...