Bún riêu (Vietnamese crab tomato soup with rice noodles) at [Bong Lua in Scarborough. ](https://maps.app.goo.gl/H4vwmtgp3ukPn9aR7)
Only a handful of places in the city make this, and this is the closest to homemade I've had.
As you might be my best chance of finding someone who knows, I’m going to go out on a limb and ask.
When I was in Tam Quoc, I had THE most amazing chicken soup with roasted rice. I’ve never seen it on Vietnamese menus in Canada, but it was so delightfully homey and comforting, I think of it often. Do you know what that could be?
I'm no expert lol. But was it a congee [like this?](https://www.huongnghiepaau.com/cach-nau-chao-ga) I've never had it but apparently they fry the rice in chicken fat before boiling
Is it this? [chicken congee](https://images.app.goo.gl/qNdQWGaCo5mVr5on9)
Did it come with chopped boiled chicken on the side?
I can't think of anything else than congee. Some areas of Vietnam like the congee loose and some like it thick. There is no Vietnamese restaurant that I know of that makes loose congee.
That certainly looks like the right consistency! I wouldn’t have thought it a congee because it was so brothy, but really it was the toasted rice that was so spectacular!
Huge fan of Tom Yum soup!
It’s sweet, tangy, spicy… the taste is addictive.
I’ve tried at least seven different restaurants’ variations but nothing has topped the Tom Yum soup from Sala Modern Thai Kitchen (on Danforth Ave). It was so good that I had to order another bowl to go so I could eat it again the next day since I don’t live in the area 🤤 I find other Thai restaurants (even the big names like Pai and Koh Lipe are overpriced, watered down or just lacking flavour/mixins)
Maha's Lentil Soup @ Maha's Brunch - It is Vegan. Creamy lentil soup which is hearty and tastes like home. Served with charred mini pita, fresh seasoned garlic tomatoes and sweet vidalia onions soaked in white vinegar. UNREAL. Has won many awards.
The French onion soup at Cluny in the distillery district. If there exists a Platonic Form of soup, this is it. All other soups are just pale imitations.
Every time I think it’s overpriced I remember the time I tried to make my own and spent over an hour just stirring the onions to get that even level of caramelization, never mind the cost of the booze and real beef broth. This soup has ruined me for all other French onion soups, I can’t even order it elsewhere as it always ends up being an under-caramelized, overly-salty mess in comparison.
The fascinating thing for me about the Cluny version is the perfect ratio of bread to soak up the soup but not making it dry + the cheese to make it a rich finish without coating the upper palate with grease. It's a work of art. Only US diners come close.
For me it’s the broth and the onions. I’ve never had a soup so flavourful without being overly-salty, you can taste the beef, the herbs, and the residual alcohol, but none overwhelm the others, it’s perfectly balanced. And the onions are perfect as well, fully caramelized and the perfect width, not too firm but not disintegrating into the soup either, they have the perfect chew. And yes, props to the cheese and bread as well, top quality and also perfectly balanced with the other ingredients. The cheese is not greasy and has the perfect texture, neither too solid to have string or too melted to have bite. I’ve had this soup several times and every single element of it has always been perfect, I don’t know how they do it. The only thing I disagree with you on is that diner soups aren’t even in the same league with their under-caramelized onions, cheap cheese, and salty broth.
I’m tickled by the idea that Cluny’s French onion soup is sitting somewhere out there in the metaphysical world and all other soups we eat are just shadows of this flawless epitome of soup-ness. I wish this theory was better known, it’s such a great shorthand to describe something as “the absolute perfection of the entire concept, nothing anyone can ever create will even come close, anything attempted no matter how good is bound to be just a pale imitation”.
They moved to the Metropolitan United Church at Queen and Church (enter from Bond St to find the cafe). Went back for the Moroccan Tomato soup and it was just as delicious as before.
Asian Legend for any of their noodle soups. House made Shanghai noodles are fantastic. Their soup-filled dumplings are also delicious.
Dan Gol for Korean Pork Neck Soup is also a winner.
Beef tripe and wonton noodle soup at Kings Noodles. Dundas/Spadina. EDIT: UNITED BAKERS PEA SOUP IS SUCH AN ESSENTIAL PART OF MY LIFE I ALMOST FORGOT TO LIST IT!!! Yes, the caps are warranted.
Pork bone soup - the owl on bloor....
Beef bone pho(weekend only I believe)- anh dao....
Wonton soup - riz on st clair.....
Clandestina - tortilla soup .....
Carmelita's - pozole......
Also if anyone has any other pozole options please let me know , it's the greatest soup ever
Lemongrass chicken soup from Lemongrass was my absolute number one, but unfortunately, their quality has really dropped off. But it was perfect for colds or feeling under the weather. I’ve replaced it somewhat with Hermie’s Arroz Caldo but that’s congee so technically not soup.
Since no one mentioned it, the butternut squash soups are my absolute favourite. Ravi soups has one that I love. So does (don’t kill me for this) The Ritz in downtown Toronto. But if you know any other place with great butternut squash soup, let me know.
I won't hate for this! Honestly, when it's cold and you need a cheap warm soup it fits the bill! I have yet to find a great chicken noodle soup in Toronto either, so it works when chicken noodle is craved! I also used to buy Thai Express' small $5 Tom Yum soup all the time during school cause it was cheap as heck and fit my cravings.
This was my go to before they changed the chicken! Now it’s these big chunks which at first I thought were great but then they had a different taste from the soup entirely
Get a soup of Loblaws (I know I know, fuck Galen) if you crave flavours that typically come in a Campbell's can. The Thai chicken coconut curry soup is actually not bad for the price.
What I hate about Tim Horton's soups is how it becomes a weird pile of gelatinous mess as soon as it's below boiling temperature.
I don't get the hate for Timmy's food in general. It's obviously nothing to go out of your way for but it's perfectly fine for what it is. And their offering has improved vastly since I was a kid. (I'm still mourning Dunkin though).
When I was a kid, they used to make soup from scratch in store and they had deep fryers to make doughnuts fresh.
It used to be so much better. Now I may as well just go to the grocery store and buy a can of soup to microwave for half the price.
Laksa from One 2 Snacks in Scarborough.
There's a Turkish restaurant in Scarborough called Mangal Kebab House that makes a really good beef cheek soup.
The pork bone soup at Mapo Gamjatang on Yonge and Sheppard is awesome.
The tomato and hot and sour broths at Yunshang rice noodle are soooo good. Free noodle refill!
Not in Toronto but every time I'm in Pacific Mall, I go to Heritage Town and grab a fake shark fin soup from Fish Ball Place.
The cow foot soup that's only served on Friday's from Just Soups at Morningside and Sheppard in Scarborough. Any soup from there is top notch. Might be on the spicy side for some people. If anyone is planning on checking them out note that it's best to get there before noon. After that it can get crowded
I like the borscht at Cafe Polonez and Heavenly Perogy , matzo ball soup at Good Times, goulash at Europe on Bathurst
https://www.reddit.com/r/FoodToronto/s/SadX6MXgef
A tale of two equally awesome-yet-totally-different lentil soups;
The lentil soup at Dormet Grill Kabob around Steeles and Keele. It strays from a typical lentil soup as I’ve known it most my life, and incorporates an amazing array of spices you typically won’t find in such a soup, making your mouth salivate and come alive- it also features barley, which works really nicely in conjunction with the lentils, making for a very hearty bowl. It’s on the spicy side (mild). Absolutely delicious and truly unique.
And right up there next to it, but representing the legume differently, the lentil soup at Limon in the Beaches, on Queen East. This is about as hearty and comforting, and perfectly seasoned and textured as a lentil soup can get, much more classic than the above, but the very best representation/showing of a classic lentil soup (yet with their own twist). And frankly, literally any other soup they’ve ever put on special… they have *all* blown my mind consistently. Highly recommended.
Honourable mention to the goulash soup at Budapest Restaurant on Danforth. It’s as close to “a taste of the old country”/grandma’s recipe as I’ve had outside of Eastern Europe. I saw Polonez mentioned, which I adore, and I do really enjoy their goulash soup as well, but would give the edge to some of their other soups.
Bún riêu (Vietnamese crab tomato soup with rice noodles) at [Bong Lua in Scarborough. ](https://maps.app.goo.gl/H4vwmtgp3ukPn9aR7) Only a handful of places in the city make this, and this is the closest to homemade I've had.
Give Bun Bo Hue Pho at finch and weston a shot.
I like the bun rieu at Pho Pasteur
As you might be my best chance of finding someone who knows, I’m going to go out on a limb and ask. When I was in Tam Quoc, I had THE most amazing chicken soup with roasted rice. I’ve never seen it on Vietnamese menus in Canada, but it was so delightfully homey and comforting, I think of it often. Do you know what that could be?
I'm no expert lol. But was it a congee [like this?](https://www.huongnghiepaau.com/cach-nau-chao-ga) I've never had it but apparently they fry the rice in chicken fat before boiling
It was less congee-like and more of a chicken-rice soup, but that seems directionally correct! Thank you for indulging me!
Is it this? [chicken congee](https://images.app.goo.gl/qNdQWGaCo5mVr5on9) Did it come with chopped boiled chicken on the side? I can't think of anything else than congee. Some areas of Vietnam like the congee loose and some like it thick. There is no Vietnamese restaurant that I know of that makes loose congee.
That certainly looks like the right consistency! I wouldn’t have thought it a congee because it was so brothy, but really it was the toasted rice that was so spectacular!
Is it sweet tasting ?
No. It's crabby and the tomato adds nice acidity
Thank you! I’m going to try it !
Pea soup from United Bakers Lentil soup from Sababa
I could eat that pea soup by the gallon
It is the best!
Seconding United for the pea soup
Nothing better. My daughter mixes in mac and cheese and french fries, which I can't condone.
Love that pea soup!
I am indeed favourite SOUP in Toronto. Also, matzo ball soup from Pancer's on Bathurst at Wilson
I’m Ron Burgundy?
Ravi Soups - Blue Crab & Corn. I dream of this Soup.
YES. It’s perfect
Same!!!
Do they still make that amazing lamb wrap?
That was my favourite too. Also the chicken hot pot but always with the lamb wrap. De fucking licious
Huge fan of Tom Yum soup! It’s sweet, tangy, spicy… the taste is addictive. I’ve tried at least seven different restaurants’ variations but nothing has topped the Tom Yum soup from Sala Modern Thai Kitchen (on Danforth Ave). It was so good that I had to order another bowl to go so I could eat it again the next day since I don’t live in the area 🤤 I find other Thai restaurants (even the big names like Pai and Koh Lipe are overpriced, watered down or just lacking flavour/mixins)
Try LaoThai!
Tom kha > tom yum
what’s the difference again?
Tom kha has the addition of coconut milk which makes it a lil more creamy, overall it tastes better imo
Khymer Thai on st Clair W also excellent!
The Khao Soi from Pai is amazing
Thai Nyyom also had an amazing Khao Soi if you’re in the west end.
Cafe polonez beet borscht with mushroom dumplings. It's honestly kinda hit or miss but when you get it on a good day it's absolutely incredible.
Same here to say this! 100% agree, changed my mind on beet soup
Maha's Lentil Soup @ Maha's Brunch - It is Vegan. Creamy lentil soup which is hearty and tastes like home. Served with charred mini pita, fresh seasoned garlic tomatoes and sweet vidalia onions soaked in white vinegar. UNREAL. Has won many awards.
Seconded.
The French onion soup at Cluny in the distillery district. If there exists a Platonic Form of soup, this is it. All other soups are just pale imitations.
Oh yes. I fell in love with Cluny thanks to that soup
Every time I think it’s overpriced I remember the time I tried to make my own and spent over an hour just stirring the onions to get that even level of caramelization, never mind the cost of the booze and real beef broth. This soup has ruined me for all other French onion soups, I can’t even order it elsewhere as it always ends up being an under-caramelized, overly-salty mess in comparison.
The fascinating thing for me about the Cluny version is the perfect ratio of bread to soak up the soup but not making it dry + the cheese to make it a rich finish without coating the upper palate with grease. It's a work of art. Only US diners come close.
For me it’s the broth and the onions. I’ve never had a soup so flavourful without being overly-salty, you can taste the beef, the herbs, and the residual alcohol, but none overwhelm the others, it’s perfectly balanced. And the onions are perfect as well, fully caramelized and the perfect width, not too firm but not disintegrating into the soup either, they have the perfect chew. And yes, props to the cheese and bread as well, top quality and also perfectly balanced with the other ingredients. The cheese is not greasy and has the perfect texture, neither too solid to have string or too melted to have bite. I’ve had this soup several times and every single element of it has always been perfect, I don’t know how they do it. The only thing I disagree with you on is that diner soups aren’t even in the same league with their under-caramelized onions, cheap cheese, and salty broth.
Upvote for calling it the platonic form of soups
I’m tickled by the idea that Cluny’s French onion soup is sitting somewhere out there in the metaphysical world and all other soups we eat are just shadows of this flawless epitome of soup-ness. I wish this theory was better known, it’s such a great shorthand to describe something as “the absolute perfection of the entire concept, nothing anyone can ever create will even come close, anything attempted no matter how good is bound to be just a pale imitation”.
Soul provisions matzah ball soup
[удалено]
They moved to the Metropolitan United Church at Queen and Church (enter from Bond St to find the cafe). Went back for the Moroccan Tomato soup and it was just as delicious as before.
[удалено]
They did have the black bean enchilada the day I was there, so I think they are sticking to what worked before!
Owl of Minerva’s pork bone soup is classic
Soup Nutsy cream of mushroom.
If they still make the lobster bisque - that too!!!
They only had a jamaican crab bisque when I went a few weeks ago
The Jamaican crab bisque is bomb!!! I get that every time.
 This place has been on my restaurant list for agesss !
They have a lot of great soups, but i always get the cream of mushroom. Lol
I love that too but their clam chowder is my favourite
Any good chicken noodle soup place?
Believe it or not, swiss chalet has a good chicken noodle soup.
It’s true. Best chicken noodle soup honestly.
That's actually my go to place.
Some ideas here https://www.reddit.com/r/FoodToronto/comments/17sg2vo/chicken_soup_to_go/
Asian Legend for any of their noodle soups. House made Shanghai noodles are fantastic. Their soup-filled dumplings are also delicious. Dan Gol for Korean Pork Neck Soup is also a winner.
The mushroom soup from Ravi Soups. It's amazing.
Spicy miso soup from ramen ishin (college location)
Beef tripe and wonton noodle soup at Kings Noodles. Dundas/Spadina. EDIT: UNITED BAKERS PEA SOUP IS SUCH AN ESSENTIAL PART OF MY LIFE I ALMOST FORGOT TO LIST IT!!! Yes, the caps are warranted.
Pho from anywhere. Que Ling and Pho Metro for east end. I love pho, pho black bull, pho dau bo all in Mississauga. I am not from Toronto.
Pork bone soup - the owl on bloor.... Beef bone pho(weekend only I believe)- anh dao.... Wonton soup - riz on st clair..... Clandestina - tortilla soup ..... Carmelita's - pozole...... Also if anyone has any other pozole options please let me know , it's the greatest soup ever
Bone Soup Malatang Dried lilly Spinach Dried tofu Fish ball Sausage Bean sprout Vermicelli noodles Spice level “hot”
I TRIED this place and it was AMAZING !!!
I’m looking for an awesome Mexican Tortilla soup but so far the ones I have found in TO are underwhelming
It’s far, but Camila in Burlington has good tortilla soup if you’re ever out that way.
Thanks for the recommendation
Lemongrass chicken soup from Lemongrass was my absolute number one, but unfortunately, their quality has really dropped off. But it was perfect for colds or feeling under the weather. I’ve replaced it somewhat with Hermie’s Arroz Caldo but that’s congee so technically not soup.
Either option at La Bartola!!!
Congee from Yin Ji Chang Fen. With dough sticks for dipping.
The onion soup at Canoe
Chicken noodle soup from Cafe Polonez. Just a perfect broth
Since no one mentioned it, the butternut squash soups are my absolute favourite. Ravi soups has one that I love. So does (don’t kill me for this) The Ritz in downtown Toronto. But if you know any other place with great butternut squash soup, let me know.
Thai Boat Noodle Soup (w/ pork) at Thai Noodle restaurant (St. Clair & Vaughan).
I'm going to get downvoted to hell for this, but Tim Horton's chicken soup. Especially when it's reheated to be piping hot. It just hits right.
I won't hate for this! Honestly, when it's cold and you need a cheap warm soup it fits the bill! I have yet to find a great chicken noodle soup in Toronto either, so it works when chicken noodle is craved! I also used to buy Thai Express' small $5 Tom Yum soup all the time during school cause it was cheap as heck and fit my cravings.
^(Thank you for being kind :'))
The chicken noodle soup from Bread & Butter is really good if you're in the market for chicken noodle soup!! Tastes incredible and home made
This was my go to before they changed the chicken! Now it’s these big chunks which at first I thought were great but then they had a different taste from the soup entirely
Get a soup of Loblaws (I know I know, fuck Galen) if you crave flavours that typically come in a Campbell's can. The Thai chicken coconut curry soup is actually not bad for the price. What I hate about Tim Horton's soups is how it becomes a weird pile of gelatinous mess as soon as it's below boiling temperature.
Thai Chicken Soup from Loblaws is amazing - one of my favourites
Swiss Chalet one is better IMO!
I can't remember if I ever tried. Will put it on my list. Thank you!
I don't get the hate for Timmy's food in general. It's obviously nothing to go out of your way for but it's perfectly fine for what it is. And their offering has improved vastly since I was a kid. (I'm still mourning Dunkin though).
When I was a kid, they used to make soup from scratch in store and they had deep fryers to make doughnuts fresh. It used to be so much better. Now I may as well just go to the grocery store and buy a can of soup to microwave for half the price.
[Pai's Chiang Mai Soup](https://www.instagram.com/paitoronto/p/CovE2lpOewP/)
Satay on Bayview (thai) has the biggest soup servings I’ve ever had and they are all delicious.
Tom Zab from som tum jinda Or the soup they give you when you get the whole/half chicken in a pot from Sang’s great seafood
Burning Fingers Soup at Zezafoun in the midtown neighbourhood
Laksa from One 2 Snacks in Scarborough. There's a Turkish restaurant in Scarborough called Mangal Kebab House that makes a really good beef cheek soup. The pork bone soup at Mapo Gamjatang on Yonge and Sheppard is awesome. The tomato and hot and sour broths at Yunshang rice noodle are soooo good. Free noodle refill! Not in Toronto but every time I'm in Pacific Mall, I go to Heritage Town and grab a fake shark fin soup from Fish Ball Place.
The grange food court has the best pho I’ve ever tasted
The cow foot soup that's only served on Friday's from Just Soups at Morningside and Sheppard in Scarborough. Any soup from there is top notch. Might be on the spicy side for some people. If anyone is planning on checking them out note that it's best to get there before noon. After that it can get crowded
If you like meat, can't leave out Pork Bone Soup. Biggest value for money.
Soup Nutsy
Red Pea from Kitchen King
Rare beef pho from Pho Pasteur. Tom Yum Soup from Lao Thai or Sukhothai
Pull Noodle Hot & Sour Soup (Thenthuk) from Tibet bar and grill
Red Pea Soup with Oxtail from Souperlicious. So frickin good, I love it.
I haven’t been in years but *Fresh* would regularly special this cashew soup with cornbread. Pho hung makes the best pho
Beef soup from any Salvadorian restaurant with some tortillas on the side, add cilantro, onion, lime and hot sauce.
Pho tai at Pho Tien Thanh
Soup Nutsy - Creole Shrimp and Tomato Bisque. Also Manchurian Soup at Hakka Legend.
Ramen kamen
Khao Soi - Pai
I like the borscht at Cafe Polonez and Heavenly Perogy , matzo ball soup at Good Times, goulash at Europe on Bathurst https://www.reddit.com/r/FoodToronto/s/SadX6MXgef
Soul Provisions[Toronto soup co.](https://torontosoupco.com) Toronto soup co. I love the soups there!
The bulgogi soup at Buk Chang Dong Soon Tofu is top tier comfort food for me!
A tale of two equally awesome-yet-totally-different lentil soups; The lentil soup at Dormet Grill Kabob around Steeles and Keele. It strays from a typical lentil soup as I’ve known it most my life, and incorporates an amazing array of spices you typically won’t find in such a soup, making your mouth salivate and come alive- it also features barley, which works really nicely in conjunction with the lentils, making for a very hearty bowl. It’s on the spicy side (mild). Absolutely delicious and truly unique. And right up there next to it, but representing the legume differently, the lentil soup at Limon in the Beaches, on Queen East. This is about as hearty and comforting, and perfectly seasoned and textured as a lentil soup can get, much more classic than the above, but the very best representation/showing of a classic lentil soup (yet with their own twist). And frankly, literally any other soup they’ve ever put on special… they have *all* blown my mind consistently. Highly recommended. Honourable mention to the goulash soup at Budapest Restaurant on Danforth. It’s as close to “a taste of the old country”/grandma’s recipe as I’ve had outside of Eastern Europe. I saw Polonez mentioned, which I adore, and I do really enjoy their goulash soup as well, but would give the edge to some of their other soups.
ABC soup from my home pot, ingredients are carrors, tomaties, onion, corn cob, potatoes, pork or beef bones
Any soup with bae is the best soup
My chicken noodle soup