The start of the spring semester means we’ve entered the coldest part of the school year. While the journey from Bobst Library to Downstein is enough to make your ears go numb, walking a few extra blocks for a steaming bowl of soup is worth the trek. There’s nothing wrong with a classic chicken noodle, but these five soups highlight cuisines from around the world — and might just become your new winter obsession.
Little Myanmar: Coconut Chicken Noodle Soup | $14
150 E 2nd St.
Less than a 10-minute walk from NYU’s Second Street residence hall, Little Myanmar is a family-owned East Village favorite serving traditional Burmese dishes. Described by Eater as “simply the best Burmese restaurant in the city,” it features more than a dozen Burmese soups, including the coconut chicken noodle soup, or ohn no khao swe. The pieces of chicken are perfectly tender, and the rich, bright yellow broth contains an aromatic blend of spices, herbs and creamy coconut milk — a complex yet comforting flavor profile for a chilly winter day.
Boucherie: French Onion Soup | $19
Multiple locations
With locations near campus in the West Village and just north of Union Square, Boucherie is a tried-and-true New York bistro. One of the restaurant’s standout dishes, the French onion soup is an ideal pick-me-up for a midday break or after a long day of class. Its rich, savory broth is complemented by sweet caramelized onions, creating a flavorful base that is both filling and comforting. Topped with a generous layer of golden, melted cheese, this dish is wonderfully decadent — a timeless classic served in a restaurant whose blend of casual chic and playful charm is the perfect backdrop for a warm meal.
Jack’s Wife Freda: Matzo Ball Soup | $16
Multiple locations
You might know Jack’s Wife Freda as a celebrity hotspot, but this upscale Mediterranean restaurant with Jewish and South African influences is also home to a standout matzo ball soup. This classic Jewish dish is a fan-favorite among Jack’s Wife Freda regulars and features a large, tender matzo ball topped with dill and served in a bath of hearty chicken broth — great to sip on while people-watching. Jack’s Wife Freda has several locations near NYU, including in the West Village, SoHo and Union Square — meaning that your hands probably won’t be overwhelmingly cold by the time you arrive.
Cafe Himalaya: Dal | $5
78 E 1st St.
Cafe Himalaya proves that great taste doesn’t have to come at a steep cost. For $5 and a 17-minute walk from Washington Square Park, the restaurant’s vegan dal will warm all your taste buds. This East Village gem features traditional Tibetan and Nepali flavors. Dal, also known as lentils, is a common Himalayan ingredient that, when infused with aromatic shallots, fresh cilantro and leafy greens, makes for a bold, earthy soup with flavors worth much more than the price tag. While the broth is thinner than that of most lentil soups, this dish’s hearty flavors more than make up for it.
Brodo: Tortellini en Brodo | $12
200 1st Ave.
Brodo, an online bone broth company, has a takeout counter in the East Village, where its comforting tortellini en brodo is a great remedy for winter chills. Brodo’s menu spans from hot bowls to fresh juices and smoothies, but this Italian classic is a standout. This dish contains luscious, cheese-filled tortellini topped with parmesan and olive oil, served in your choice of broth — Brodo offers chicken, beef, its signature hearth broth or a shiitake and kelp-based vegan option. It’s the type of soup whose balance of bold and comforting flavors feels like a much-needed warm hug.
Contact Chinara Dorancy at [email protected].
