Twelve of Sydney's cosiest bowls to wrap your hands around for under $25
From some of the city's best ramen, to a much-revered suburban pho, warm up with these soups this winter.
Tired of hibernating this winter? Take a break from your Oodie and warm up with a bowl of soup at one of these cosy, budget-friendly restaurants in Sydney. From comforting prosciutto minestrone at Simon Says in Darlinghurst, to bright bowls of tamarind prawn soup at the new Charcoal & Crisp Lechon in Crows Nest, nothing on this list is more than $25.
Beef noodle soup at Ama, Surry Hills
$19
This Chinese-Thai beef noodle soup is so good it spawned an entire restaurant. Sisters Rowena and Kate Chansiri started serving their grandmother's recipe as a pop-up dinner special at their acclaimed Kingsgrove cafe Ickle. Soon, it became so popular they decided to give it a permanent home. The soup is a deeply satisfying mixture including beef broth, noodles (egg or rice), slow-braised corned beef brisket, beef short rib, spices and pickled mustard greens.
There are two things owner-operator Simon Fowler says he's most proud of his role in creating: his son, and his cafe's minestrone. It's the classic, hearty combo of bone broth and vegetables, amped up with pan-seared prosciutto. It might be the soup of the day when you visit, or it could be one of the kitchen's other thoughtfully prepared options, such as the current roasted cauliflower soup – browned, buttery and warming with a ras el hanout spice blend.
Good to know: Simon Says is also a well-established juice company. Try the Pineapple Express.
263 Oxford Street, Darlinghurst, simonsays.sydney
$22.50
When was the last time you had watermelon in your soup? Sinigang sa pakwan, or watermelon tamarind soup, is a vibrant Filipino dish balancing the sweetness of watermelon against the tanginess of tamarind. At this friendly new family-owned eatery, it's served with either tender pork belly or prawn, depending on your preference.
Good to know: Also order a serving of the charcoal-roasted lechon (suckling pig), the restaurant's specialty.
16 Falcon Street, Crows Nest, charcoalcrisp.com.au
Pumpkin soup at Parami, Sydney
$9
Often, you just want something simple, delicious and solid value for money. That's where Parami's pumpkin soup comes in. Chef-owner Mika Kazato might be better known for onigiri, but her creamy Japanese pumpkin soup, made with milk and onion, is the go-to for a comforting lunch on a blustery day.
Good to know: Parami also serves tonjiru (pork, vegetable and miso), chicken and ginger, and minestrone soups.
101/21 Alberta Street, Sydney, parami.com.au
Birria ramen at Papi's Birria, Haberfield and Carlton
$18
Owner-operator Lawrence Diaz uses about 30 ingredients for Papi's birria consome, including dried ancho and guajillo chillies, ossobuco, and chuck. The shimmering broth cooks for 16 hours before it's served in a small takeaway bowl – a deliciously rich dip for folded, cheesy tortillas, or soup for Korean instant ramen.
Good to know: Papi's is a food truck, so come dressed for the elements.
163-165 Parramatta Road, Haberfield and 71 Jubilee Avenue, Carlton, instagram.com/papis.birria
Cornish chicken soup at Han Soup Bar, Mascot and Chatswood
$24.80
Medicinal double-steamed Cantonese soups are not typically for the fussy of heart, but they may help alleviate a persistent cough. Each of the 14 soups on Han's menu targets specific ailments, from an oxtail soup with hairy fig root and shark bone for lumbar muscle strain, to silkie chicken soup with donkey hide and egg for those with 'high mental intensity'. The Cornish chicken soup, served in a coconut, is a much-loved all-rounder.
Sure, French onion soup is simple enough to make at home. But it's an entirely different experience in this vibey suburban French restaurant, where it's served in a warm ceramic bowl with crispy croutons and a thick layer of caramelised cheese, slowly dripping down the side. The deep onion flavour packs a punch.
Good to know: The soup is also available at sister restaurant Bouillion l'Entrecote in Circular Quay.
1047 Pacific Highway, Pymble, brasserielentrecote.com.au
Iekei ramen at Kosuke Revised, Rosebery
$24
Chef-owner Kosuke Morita claims his new Rosebery restaurant serves some of the best ramen in Australia. The chef has quietly developed a cult following at his three other locations, but the menu here is elevated, featuring revised recipes such as the iekei (pork marrow and soy) ramen with smoked slow-cooked pork neck and house-made flat noodles.
Good to know: Find the other Kosuke Ramen restaurants at North Strathfield, Newington and Lane Cove.
2/6-10 Rothschild Avenue, Rosebery, kosuke-revised-in-rosebery.square.site
Avgolemono at Olympus, Redfern
$18
On a menu filled with grilled calamari, honey-drizzled saganaki and oversized pies of golden spanokopita, you'd be forgiven for overlooking the egg and lemon soup. But next time you'll know: its subtle, bright flavours and creamy texture make the avgolemono a surprise must-order at this stunner of a Greek restaurant.
Good to know: Olympus offers the chance to try some hard-to-find Greek wines by the glass.
Wunderlich Lane, 2 Baptist Street, Redfern, olympusdining.com.au
Pork bone soup at Yeodongsik, Lidcombe
$23
This tiny Lidcombe restaurant has become something of an internet sensation for owner-operator Justin Shin's hearty Korean soup. There's six to choose from, but the haejangguk (pork bone) 'hangover soup', which may or may not have the power to cure a soju-induced headache, is something of a signature.
36/44 John Street, Lidcombe, jkbc.com.au
Beef tortilla soup at Mami's, Bondi
$14
There's something comforting about a big bowl of cheese-laden soup that looks like your mum made it, especially if you happen to be eating at the communal table at Mexican restaurant Mami's. The beef tortilla soup is made with pulled beef and cabbage, and topped with crispy tortilla bits, fresh onion, coriander and melty cheese.
Good to know: You can BYO your favourite bottle of wine.
286 Bondi Road, Bondi, instagram.com/mamis.food.bondi
Beef pho at An Restaurant, Bankstown
From $20
It's a classic for a reason. The Saigon-style beef pho at this family-owned Bankstown stalwart often tops best-of lists in Sydney, in large part due to the consistency of its slow-cooked, flavoursome, clear bone broth. Join the queue, order some variation of the pho bo, inhale.
Good to know: An Restaurant accepts cash only.
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