Scoop up these must-try soup spots for your next night out
While it may be hard to believe, autumn has fallen into our laps. The weather is slowly but surely getting colder — emphasis on the "slowly" — and we must once again arm ourselves with the coziest of clothes and foods to shield us from the oncoming chills.
So if you're aiming to eat something that will warm you up and enrich your soul as the temperatures drop, look no further than some of the most iconic spots for an enriching bowl of soup in New Brunswick.
Efes Mediterranean Grill
Efes Mediterranean Grill is the stuff of New Brunswick legend. With one of the most beautiful interiors of any restaurant in the city and delectable Turkish cuisine, it has cemented itself as a must-try for anyone who passes through Easton Avenue.
But of all of Efes' delicious appetizers, their lentil soup is in a league of its own. Smooth, rich and perfectly seasoned, this soup is bound to keep you grounded as the bitter New Brunswick winds try to blow your peace away. With a lemon wedge and a side of chewy, decadent bread, this lentil soup will feel like a comforting call from home for many.
Ramen Nagomi
Ask any Rutgers student for a classy restaurant suggestion and 11 out of 10 times, they'll tell you to go to Ramen Nagomi. The ramen selections feel luxurious, with options like Burnt Garlic Tonkotsu Ramen, Vegetarian Curry & King Trumpet Mushroom Ramen and Miso Crab Ramen.
While the complex and flavorful broths form the base of these soups, the real stars of the show are the perfectly cooked proteins like sous-vide chicken breast, slow-braised pork belly and tempura-fried tofu. The tender noodles and elegant toppings fill the bowl with goodness as well. Good luck going back to instant ramen after you go here.
Panera Bread
While it's great to keep it classy, sometimes you need something quick and reliable. Sometimes all you want to do after getting off the bus at the College Avenue Student Center is march into Panera and order a tomato soup in a bread bowl. Chase that feeling. Forget your manners, wash down your chipotle chicken melt with a piping hot bowl of broccoli cheddar soup. Wolf down the French onion soup like no one's looking. Live free.
Indochine
It's time to talk about pho. You can't talk about the best soups to sip on in New Brunswick and ignore one of the most satisfying noodle dishes known to man. Indochine's meaty, aromatic, filling bowls of pho are powerfully wholesome.
The silky broth mixes with slices of rare steak, soft rice noodles, chopped basil, jalapeños and green onions to capture your senses and take them on a journey. Indochine's dedication to Vietnamese cuisine makes it abundantly clear why they have been a staple of George Street for the past 14 years.
George Street Co-op
Off-campus students already know about this one. Quietly nestled behind the SoCam 290 Apartments and The Standard, this healthy food store offers incredible, hearty, ready-made soups. Instant accessibility, fresh ingredients, reasonable price and chunky perfection of their soups make at least one visit to the store mandatory. If there's any soup in this article that can claim the secret ingredient of love, it's this one.
Elijah's Promise Soup Kitchen
Soup holds a special place in the world. Its warmth and fullness are not only comforting but sometimes life-saving. With lack of access to food being a very fixable yet, unfortunately, very real plague affecting our country and communities, it's important to highlight places where it is accessible.
It's important to spread the word about establishments like "Elijah's Promise" and the Rutgers Office of Basic Needs to bring attention to anyone who may need it.
Make use of the cold weather and visit these soup spots on your next food excursion.
