By Marie-Antoinette Issa.
Sydney may be a little short on New York-style Seinfeld-inspired Soup Nazi vendors dishing up bowls of clam chowder (20-degree Winters will do that to you!) However, the city’s vibrant multicultural makeup means that you’re more than likely to find a soup-er selection of brothy-based bowls inspired by eats from almost every other corner of the globe on the menu.
From tucking into pots of piping hot pho to slurping your worries away with a warm mug of Italian minestrone, our picks for the 9 best soup spots across Sydney are so hot, it hurts!
The South Western Sydney suburb of Bankstown is traditionally a hub for all things Little Lebanon, but, don’t let the scent of munoosh throw you! The area is actually also home to a broad range of including those from Vietnam.
For this reason, you’ll find some of the best pho this side of Saigon here. Especially if you head directly to the AN Restaurant (aka Pho AN) - a cult-status, family-owned local institution that’s been flinging pho to hungry patrons since 1987.
Offering traditional Southern-style soups inspired by the street vendors of old Ho Chi Min, every bowl of pho at AN Pho features tender slices of quality chicken or beef, slippery rice noodles made for slurping and a medley of freshly picked herbs and crisp bean sprouts. The fact that MasterChef’s Melissa Leong names the restaurant as one of her favourites makes it a must-visit. Pho sho!
Okay, so the very generous addition of hearty noodles has it veering into stew territory, but ramen’s rich broth makes it a worthy addition to the list of soup-erb Sydney soups. The best ones can be found at Chaco Ramen Darlinghurst, where each spoonful will treat your tastebuds to a punch of umami flavours that are somehow both comforting and invigorating.
The broth, painstakingly crafted with care and precision, serves as the perfect canvas for the accompanying toppings, which range from lush slices of pork belly to perfectly cooked eggs and crisp, fresh vegetables.
Do Dee Paidang is a hidden gem renowned for its exceptional rendition of traditional Thai fare - in particular, its take on tom yum soup - the spicy and tangy delicacy of succulent shrimp, fragrant lemongrass, aromatic kaffir lime leaves and a fiery kick of chilli - which takes centre stage at this bustling eatery in Sydney's Chinatown.
Each bowl is a testament to the restaurant's dedication to authenticity and flavour, with the option to tailor the spice level to your preference. A unique grading system ranging from 0 to 7 on the heat scale (denoting the number of dried chilli scoops infused into your broth) allows patrons to customise their tom yum adventure with precision.
From stalls sitting in the shadow of suburban shopping malls (looking at you, Temasek) to finer dining South East Asian establishments, many Malaysian menus across Sydney will try to convince you their laksa should be first on the list.
While the competition was fierce, the slurpy egg noodles cooked al dente, rich and creamy coconut milk broth infused with a harmonious blend of spices, fragrant lemongrass and fiery chilli, helped the Haymarket branch of Ho Jiak bring home the win. Head in and tuck into a bowl of Nyonya curry laksa (the signature) served with a choice of Hainan chicken or jumbo prawn and sambal on the side, for a delicious, budget-friendly bowl, guaranteed to transport you to the bustling hawker stalls and vibrant markets of Penang with every bite.
While most would associate hot pot with Korean cuisine, oriental eatery YX Mini Hot Pot does a cracking version inspired by the Land of the Red Dragon. Located in Eastwood, the establishment redefines the traditional hot pot encounter by emphasising flavourful and nutritious soups crafted freshly every day.
Committed to delivering top-notch Chinese cuisine and with the authentic decor to match, YX Mini Hot Pot also proudly clinched the 2019 Australian Design Award - a testament to their dedication to excellence and innovation across all aspects of operations.
Nestled within the historic walls of Chippendale's former English Scottish Bank, Kyiv Social is an ode to Ukrainian culinary heritage, delivering soul-warming dishes with a modern twist.
Spearheaded by the Plate it Forward group, renowned for its commitment to social enterprise through food, Kyiv Social employs Ukrainian refugees, offering them a new home and a platform to share their culture through cuisine.
Try the green Borscht soup, crafted from spinach and sorrel leaves and loaded with dumplings, the kind filled with everything from mushrooms to cherries.
Lenny Briskets brings the flavours of traditional Jewish cuisine to the heart of Darlinghurst with its delightful matzo ball soup. This iconic dish is a comforting blend of savoury chicken broth, tender chunks of meat and perfectly seasoned - and ginormous! - matzo balls that are light and fluffy yet satisfyingly hearty.
Each spoonful is a warm embrace of nostalgia, transporting diners to the famed Jewish delis of New York where owner Leonard Brisket was born over half a century ago.
French fare is having a moment in Sydney with many places serving up fancy takes on Parisian bistro classics such as moules, frites, and escargots.
Sometimes, you just want to sink your teeth (or spoon!) into something simpler. Oui? Enter the French onion soup - or the soup à l’oignon à la truffe - at Gavroche, Chippendale.
Thick and hearty with a smattering of perfectly caramelised onions, this would feel like a warm hug… if the French were the hugging type. Topped with piles of Comté melted cheese and served with a crusty baguette, the addition of truffles makes it extra luxe.
