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A bowl of bright red tomato soup topped with crumbles of bread and shreds of cheese on a white plate alongside slices of crusty bread and a small green salad
The last of the summer tomatoes stewed with Alma’s rustic bread is just one steamy bowl to seek
Restaurant Alma/Facebook

12 Soul-Sustaining Soups in the Twin Cities

Satisfying bowls of pho, ramen, matzo ball, and more

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The last of the summer tomatoes stewed with Alma’s rustic bread is just one steamy bowl to seek
| Restaurant Alma/Facebook

When the cold wind blows straight down to the bone, there is only one way to combat that damp dreariness, by lowering your face into a steaming bowl of comfort made by expert hands. No matter the culture, there is a long simmered broth of beauty to be found. So, whether a rich stock mingled with cheese is what’s desired, a golden broth surrounding a fluffy mound of matzo, or anise-spiked perfume accompanied by a bowl of personal mix-ins, there is a perfect soup suited for any kind of cold Minnesota day.

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Bryant-Lake Bowl & Theater

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An icon of vegetarian chili, this bean and tomato redolent cup (or bowl) is wonderfully satisfying and filling. Forgoing all the meat without ever sacrificing on flavor, this is cold weather dish for the ages. Order online.

Ramen Kazama

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Ramen Kazama was an instant hit when the doors first opened on Nicollet Avenue. Now, with a second location on Como, there is no stopped this ramen revolution. The kara miso is best known as Magma, irresistible fire, full of of rich flavor that does not skimp on the spice. This soup has been known to cause a good sweat even in the dark days of a polar vortex. Order online for both locations.

Quang Restaurant

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Choosing a favorite pho is a deeply personal decision, but there is no arguing about the value and quantity of what is served inside this family-run restaurant in Minneapolis. A veritible cauldron of broth with a welcome salty kick that’s especially effective if you’re feeling under the weather. Sup away and know that this bowl will likely be the only meal needed in one 24 hour period.

A woman stands beside a bubbling cauldron of soup inside Quang’s kitchen
Not quite the actual serving size, but it feels close
Quang Restaurant/Facebook

Zen Box Izakaya

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Zen Box Izakaya’s chef and co-owner John Ng is a self-avowed ramen fanatic. (Follow him on Instagram as Ramen Architect.) The kimchi ramen is a balance of spicy, salty, sour, and completely utterly cravable. There’s no cold that can stand up to the power of this soup.

A table spread with Japanese dishes like ramen and sashimi and small bowls of soy sauce.
Ground zero for great ramen
Zen Box Izakaya/Facebook

Taqueria y birrieria las cuatro milpas

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One of the many treasures of Mexican eating along East Lake Street. Order the Zacatecas-style birria, a rich meaty broth filled with aromatic, toasty chilies, toasty spices, and a promise to cure whatever ails.

A clay pot with bright red/orange broth topped with raw onion and cilantro
Toasty chiles, earthy spices, and a whole lot of long-simmered goodness
Taqueria Las Cuatro Milpas/Facebook

When times are hard, the comforts are often found in the simplest of the things. A hot bowl of tomato and bread soup taken away from Alma’s cafe is the perfect last taste of summer, fresh and roasty tomatoes mingled with Alma’s wonderfully flavorful bread is given just a little drizzle of olive oil and a smattering of fresh basil.

The exterior of Alma’s restaurants and hotel
Visit the daytime cafe for light bites, baked goods, and a steaming cup of wonderful broth
Hotel Alma/Official

Kimchi Tofu House

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The molten-hot bowl contains so much flavor, it’s hard to wait it out and inevitably, there are tongue burns. The original silken tofu beef stew is the best place to start when ordering from this delightful restaurant near the University of Minnesota.

Bull's Horn Food and Drink

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Bull’s Horn is a dive bar with an occasional ramen dalliance thanks to an obsession from co-owner and chef Doug Flicker. Watch the bar’s social media feeds for the ramen specials available to order as kits to make at home.

Cecil's

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When distanced from grandma and mom when the sniffles arise, Cecil’s is the next best option. Long simmered golden chicken broth with misshapen soft veggies and threads of chicken surround deeply tender matzo balls in their soup.

IndoChin Vietnamese Restaurant

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Quibbles about whether porridge is a soup aside, this simply beautiful congee is worth having near at hand with the cold winds blow. Delightfully gentle, a simple chicken broth coats white rice with snappy ginger making a garnish appearance. This is one giant bowl of sooth. Call the restaurant for take away or get delivered through Grub Hub.

Ngon Vietnamese Bistro

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Another fine pho option is this St. Paul restaurant with rich, clear broth and local, mindfully raised beef. The simplicity in appearance belies the complexity of this broth’s flavor. Order ahead and reheat that steamy broth on your stovetop. Pour over the beef and enjoy in the coziness of home.

Broth is poured from a pot into a bowl with onions and beef slices
Rich and satisfying, one of the best bowls of pho in a city rich with options
Ngon Vietnamese Bistro/Facebook

Dixie's On Grand

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Thick and creamy, studded with crabmeat and splash of sherry, Dixie’s crab bisque is a luxurious cup or bowl of comfort. Order online for pick up.

A white cup of soup with a thick, orangish soup topped with three croutons. The soup cup is on a saucer lined with fake newspaper on a wood table.
Rich comfort from Dixie’s crab bisque
Dixie’s on Grand/Facebook

Bryant-Lake Bowl & Theater

An icon of vegetarian chili, this bean and tomato redolent cup (or bowl) is wonderfully satisfying and filling. Forgoing all the meat without ever sacrificing on flavor, this is cold weather dish for the ages. Order online.

Ramen Kazama

Ramen Kazama was an instant hit when the doors first opened on Nicollet Avenue. Now, with a second location on Como, there is no stopped this ramen revolution. The kara miso is best known as Magma, irresistible fire, full of of rich flavor that does not skimp on the spice. This soup has been known to cause a good sweat even in the dark days of a polar vortex. Order online for both locations.

Quang Restaurant

Choosing a favorite pho is a deeply personal decision, but there is no arguing about the value and quantity of what is served inside this family-run restaurant in Minneapolis. A veritible cauldron of broth with a welcome salty kick that’s especially effective if you’re feeling under the weather. Sup away and know that this bowl will likely be the only meal needed in one 24 hour period.

A woman stands beside a bubbling cauldron of soup inside Quang’s kitchen
Not quite the actual serving size, but it feels close
Quang Restaurant/Facebook

Zen Box Izakaya

Zen Box Izakaya’s chef and co-owner John Ng is a self-avowed ramen fanatic. (Follow him on Instagram as Ramen Architect.) The kimchi ramen is a balance of spicy, salty, sour, and completely utterly cravable. There’s no cold that can stand up to the power of this soup.

A table spread with Japanese dishes like ramen and sashimi and small bowls of soy sauce.
Ground zero for great ramen
Zen Box Izakaya/Facebook

Taqueria y birrieria las cuatro milpas

One of the many treasures of Mexican eating along East Lake Street. Order the Zacatecas-style birria, a rich meaty broth filled with aromatic, toasty chilies, toasty spices, and a promise to cure whatever ails.

A clay pot with bright red/orange broth topped with raw onion and cilantro
Toasty chiles, earthy spices, and a whole lot of long-simmered goodness
Taqueria Las Cuatro Milpas/Facebook

Alma

When times are hard, the comforts are often found in the simplest of the things. A hot bowl of tomato and bread soup taken away from Alma’s cafe is the perfect last taste of summer, fresh and roasty tomatoes mingled with Alma’s wonderfully flavorful bread is given just a little drizzle of olive oil and a smattering of fresh basil.

The exterior of Alma’s restaurants and hotel
Visit the daytime cafe for light bites, baked goods, and a steaming cup of wonderful broth
Hotel Alma/Official

Kimchi Tofu House

The molten-hot bowl contains so much flavor, it’s hard to wait it out and inevitably, there are tongue burns. The original silken tofu beef stew is the best place to start when ordering from this delightful restaurant near the University of Minnesota.

Bull's Horn Food and Drink

Bull’s Horn is a dive bar with an occasional ramen dalliance thanks to an obsession from co-owner and chef Doug Flicker. Watch the bar’s social media feeds for the ramen specials available to order as kits to make at home.

Cecil's

When distanced from grandma and mom when the sniffles arise, Cecil’s is the next best option. Long simmered golden chicken broth with misshapen soft veggies and threads of chicken surround deeply tender matzo balls in their soup.

IndoChin Vietnamese Restaurant

Quibbles about whether porridge is a soup aside, this simply beautiful congee is worth having near at hand with the cold winds blow. Delightfully gentle, a simple chicken broth coats white rice with snappy ginger making a garnish appearance. This is one giant bowl of sooth. Call the restaurant for take away or get delivered through Grub Hub.

Ngon Vietnamese Bistro

Another fine pho option is this St. Paul restaurant with rich, clear broth and local, mindfully raised beef. The simplicity in appearance belies the complexity of this broth’s flavor. Order ahead and reheat that steamy broth on your stovetop. Pour over the beef and enjoy in the coziness of home.

Broth is poured from a pot into a bowl with onions and beef slices
Rich and satisfying, one of the best bowls of pho in a city rich with options
Ngon Vietnamese Bistro/Facebook

Dixie's On Grand

Thick and creamy, studded with crabmeat and splash of sherry, Dixie’s crab bisque is a luxurious cup or bowl of comfort. Order online for pick up.

A white cup of soup with a thick, orangish soup topped with three croutons. The soup cup is on a saucer lined with fake newspaper on a wood table.
Rich comfort from Dixie’s crab bisque
Dixie’s on Grand/Facebook

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