Top Ten Soups / Stews

As a kid, I was really keen on eating soup or stew. I didn't dislike soups, but I always felt like they were a side dish, or something you ate when a "real" meal wasn't available.

After college, however, I found myself eating more and more soup. Soup is especially awesome for lunch - and even better when you are slightly sick. I'm constantly wanting to eat it more and more. So I figured that I would list my top ten favorite soups and stews. And for the record, I'm still confused what exactly the difference is between a stew and a soup. I still say that they are the same thing. So I'm including them on the same list. You can argue in the comments.


10.) Chicken Noodle Soup - Okay, is this a bland addition or what? Everyone in the world eats this stuff, or reads incredibly sappy books that use it as a title. But when you are sick, there is NOTHING better. Now, the chunkier it is, the better, and it absolutely needs celery. I don't eat this often, but when I do get a chance, I relish every moment. It also probably has the best "drink" when you are done. And oddly, I like it with white meat. I need a bit more chewy-ness in my soup.


9.) Split Pea Soup - I know that a lot of people don't like this soup, and it does have one of the nastiest colors in existence. But this soup - which needs to be thick and delicious, can be simply amazing. Now, it's almost required that you put in chunks of ham - and directly off the bone is probably the best way. It does have the worst after effects of any soup I know (except for the deadly 16 bean soup), but I say it's worth it. Needs a drop or two of Tabasco to be perfect.


8.) Beef Stew - Now this one is subjective. Beef stew is good. Dinty Moore is not. I like beef stew, but it needs to taste at least slightly fresh, not like it's been sitting on a shelf for twenty years. Sadly, I've seen many people who seem to aspire to having their stew emulate the taste and texture of Dinty Moore. I want to chew my beef and potatoes, not slurp them through a straw, thank you.


7.) Mulligan Stew - This is what I prefer to eating beef stew, actually, simply because I like my own homebrewed brand. But while the basic gist of this soup is "put whatever is on the kitchen counter in it", I still enjoy it. I add in my secret ingredients - some would likely suprise you - and make about 100 servings of this once each year. And then I eat them for the next several weeks. And I'm happy.

6.) Ham and Potato Soup - Now this may seem similar to the split pea soup mentioned above, I enjoy this one more because of the potatoes. However, much as I love the picture to the right, I love a variation without the cream. Simply boil ham, potatoes, and green beans in a broth, and then add copious amounts of vinegar. That, my friends, is heaven.


5.) Chili - Yes, I know. This could be a whole category in itself. But three things are important to note here. First of all, while rice is optional - Saltine crackers are a MUST. Secondly, the amount of meat needs to be at part with the beans, and the meat must be in chewable chunks. And finally, while I don't need to blow my brains out with spiciness, it better have a zing. This is one thing us Yankees can't get - to make our foods that serious five alarm hotness.


4.) New England Clam Chowder - This soup is found at almost every buffet I've ever gone to. However, don't these people realize that you actually have to put more than one clam in per soup bowl. Lots of clams are needed, and then you also need a good amount of bacon and cheddar cheese. Then you can sit back and be simply happy as you eat one of the best dishes in existence.


3.) Mandu Guk - What? A soup you haven't heard of? That's because it's native to Korea, and it's one of the best soups in existence. Made from mandu (basically dumplings filled with meat), rice cakes, onions, and seaweed - it tastes much better than it sounds. I ask for this soup on a continual basis, and given the vast different amounts of mandu that are available - I think the variations are tremendous.


2.) Manhatten Clam Chowder - Why yes, I do enjoy me some clam chowder, how could you tell? I like the creamy flavor of New England, but tomato trumps milk, in my opinion. I get this one less often, because it requires more ingredients, but that just makes it better when I do get to eat it.

1.) Kimchee Chigae - And my favorite is yet another Korean soup. It's made of the kimchee - the most famous Korean dish in existence, and it's spicy as all get out. Now you can have it with spam and tuna, but it's at its best with pork. I love it, and think I could eat it every day. I never thought I would be keen on eating tofu, but this dish just makes it delectable. Wonderful. Wonderful. And wonderful.


Think I'm wrong? Got some better soups/stews? Tell me in the comments!