The Beaver Reader

By Abby Scott

When I think of winter, I think of cuddling up with a blanket and watching a movie by the fire. S’mores are possibly part of this equation, and next to me in this perfect fantasy is a warm bowl of soup. Soup captures everything winter has to offer in one bowl: warmth, comfort, and relaxation. Soup heats up my shivering body from the cold whenever I step outside into the freezing New England winter. This winter, ever since I have gotten my driver’s license, I have become a Bostonian soup connoisseur. It’s always the perfect treat after school on my way to tennis practice or whatever activity I have that day. While I am not an expert, my friends do tell me that I give great food recommendations and have a skill of finding small hole-in-the-wall restaurants that have some of the best food that they have ever tasted. So buckle up, and let me take you on an adventure!

The first soup that I adore is the matzah-ball soup from the New England Soup Factory. Although it does not match up to my grandma’s cooking, this has to be one of the best restaurant-made matzah ball soups that I have ever had. The matzah ball’s light, airy texture matches up perfectly with the slight saltiness of the broth and the tenderness of the chicken.

Rating: 9/10

The second restaurant that I would recommend is Saltbox Kitchen in Concord. I go here weekly and they change their selection of soup each season. In the fall, they have the most delicious butternut squash soup I have ever tasted, drizzled with olive oil and served with crunchy grilled bread. In the winter, they have mouthwatering lentil soup with coconut milk (which is ideal for people that are vegan or lactose-intolerant.) A perfect after-school snack, the cafe not only serves delicious soup but also serves a side of classic New England charm. With metal teapots and linens, this cafe satisfies not only a craving for warm soup but an overall aesthetic experience.

Rating: 10/10 (for both the cozy cafe vibes and the delicious soups)

Another soup that I would recommend is the Tom Kha soup at Manow Thai Kitchen in Newton. The light coconut milk broth coats your throat on a cold day, and the mild spices and scallions give it a fresh flavor. This soup pairs very well with chicken and shrimp, but the vegetarian option is just as delicious.

Rating: 9.5/10

The next soup that I would recommend is the wonton soup at Dumpling Daughter in Weston. As a huge dumpling fan, I love wonton soup. The wonton soup at Dumpling Daughter is especially great because you can create your own and customize it to your liking. I add extra wontons, tomatoes, bok choy, and cucumbers to my soup, and it comes with a side of crunchy noodles that you can also add in. What are the ingredients in the wonton soup of your dreams?

Rating: 9.5/10

The last soup that I would recommend is the steaming-hot udon noodle soup at Takara in Wellesley. It is a balance of soft noodles and a slightly-salty broth flavored with chicken. As you slurp up your noodles and relax into the environment around you (Takara has a really catchy music playlist that they play in the background), your entire body will warm up and you will thoroughly enjoy every bite and spoonful.

Pro tip: order some sushi along with your soup to create an even more delicious experience

Rating: 8.75/10 (1000/10 if ordered with sushi)

Even if the weather is not so cold outside, these delicious soups will still hit the spot. If you try any of these soups, we hope you enjoy them!