When cold, flu and midwinter January misery hit, I want a big bowl of soup. The hottest, spiciest, brothiest soup I can find. And while Chicken Noodle Soup has its place in the world, I want something to wake up my taste buds and light my sinuses on fire. Here are our top picks for the best alternatives to chicken noodle soup in Salt Lake City that will get you through the winter.
Award-winning for a reason; this is my favorite Ramen shop in Salt Lake City. Their broth is done right—simmered for hours until it is perfectly milky looking and rich. While they don’t deliver, you CAN place an order and send a non-sickie to pick it up.
For maximum heat, go for the Spicy Karai Ramen with tonkotsu broth served with spicy ground pork, a soft-boiled egg, sweet shiitake mushroom, bean sprouts, and spring onion. I always add their Kimchi to the bowl for an extra fermented kick.
Another favorite is the Curry Ramen. Japanese curry is delicious and has an umami that sets it apart. The tonkotsu broth is flavored with Japanese beef curry and topped with a pork cutlet, onsen soft-boiled egg, and bok choy served with wheat noodles. The spice level is milder but lingers. It’ll get the job done!
In the heart of Sugar House, Somi has been one of my go-to’s for years. Their pho is delicious, and the broth is top-notch. Somi offers delivery and pick-up.
I get their Grass-Fed Wagyu Beef Pho. When you are sick, the best thing about pho is that you can doctor it up with jalapenos and sriracha to volcano levels of heat, and the basil adds another level of congestion-clearing fragrance. It goes down easy if you have a sore throat to boot.
Some other options if you want something a bit more hearty is their Lemongrass Beef Noodle Soup with brisket, beef shank, and rice noodles in a tangy, spicy broth with fresh herbs. I also love the Crab Meat Noodle Soup with crab and pork meatballs, shrimp, tofu, and rice noodles in a savory tomato broth. It isn’t really spicy, but it is filling and unique.
I realize that we can’t all be spicy food people. Maybe you want something warm and comforting without the heat—Feldman’s Deli to the rescue with the best beyond-the-basic chicken soup.
The Matzo Ball Chicken Soup is as comforting as they come. The broth is salty and thick; the matzo ball dumplings are just the right size. At $6 a cup, it is worth ordering a bigger portion— some, for now, some for later since it reheats so well (unlike Ramen and Pho).
Thai anything is a solid choice when you are sick. With all the veggies, a good dose of heat, fresh lime juice, and herbs, it comes across as healthy while still showing up as comfort food. They offer both carryout and delivery.
I’m a sucker for Tom Yum Soup. Hot. Sour. Lots of veggies. You can get it with tofu, chicken, or shrimp. I also love the Tom Kha Soup, which is hot and sour, but it also comes with a coconut milk broth for a silky rich flavor. Both will treat you well.
This local butcher shop was a weekly visit for me during the pandemic. Since they are all about tip-to-tail butchery, they also have containers of frozen house-made Bone Broth on hand. You’ll usually find beef or chicken bone broth, pho, and ramen broth. It is worth picking up now to have on hand for when you DO get sick down the road. It is highly sippable.
Rawtopia has both raw foods and a few cooked vegan options for when you want something warming. Their dairy-free Creme of Mushroom Soup is made with well-spiced, pureed cashew, shiitake and miso, topped with wild rice, broccoli and cilantro. And, of course, love—an ingredient in every one of their dishes. It says so on the menu. The result is a delicious and comforting soup.
What do you crave when you have a cold?
