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10 Places to Find Great Bowls of Soup in Ann Arbor

From ramen and pho to pozole and fiery chili, here’s where to go for soup season in Ann Arbor

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Midwest living has many benefits, but it also means cold weather. Like, teeth-chattering cold. A thick coat and warm cap are usually enough to get by, but sometimes the chills make their way through all the layers and deep down into the bones. When that happens, nothing warms up and satisfies like a big, hearty bowl of soup. And it’s much tastier than a parka.

Ann Arbor has many great soups and stews and the dynamic international community here means that there’s something for every palate. From favorites like lobster bisque, chili, and French onion to ramen and pozole, here are some great soups for the cooler weather.

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Zingerman's Roadhouse

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There’s much debate over whether chili is considered a soup (it’s technically a stew) and even more as to whether it can contain beans. There’s no debate, however, that the Roadhouse’s ancho beef chuck chili — with black beans — deserves a spot on this list for its deep, rich flavor and hunks of beef.  

John Reyes

Arirang Restaurant

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Budae Jjigae, or “army base soup” started as a necessity due to food scarcity in post-war Korea as locals used surplus food from American military bases. Locals took whatever they could find — often canned meats and hot dogs — to create this spicy soup that eventually became part of the national lexicon. Arirang’s version uses pork belly, ham, and sausage and is a highlight on a menu that already features more than a dozen other soups. 

John Reyes

VKitchen

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Many consider pho to be the Vietnamese national dish as it’s enjoyed at all times of the day at households, restaurants, and local street food stalls. Its earthy broth is complemented with rice noodles and meat and is served with garnishes of of herbs, peppers, and other toppings giving the diner the ability customize t their own unique version. V Kitchen does not skimp on the toppings and offers several types of proteins, including a spicy version with three kinds of meat.

Le Dog = La Soup

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Hidden among a set of shops on Main Street is local legend Le Dog, a weekday lunch window serving up soups and hot dogs. A constantly-changing lineup of specials joins two mainstays — lobster bisque and chicken tortilla — that have been a local favorite for almost 50 years. 

Amadeus Restaurant

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Diners don’t need a flight to Vienna to experience a healthy dose of old-world European charm. Everything at Amadeus — from the light fixtures to the decor to the live music — is right out of a classic central European cafe. That authenticity also extends to the menu, which includes two classic soups — ogorkowa, a creamy, dill pickle soup and barszcz, the Polish version of the popular beet soup borscht.

Knight's Steakhouse

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Ann Arborites flock to Knight’s for their swimming pool-sized cocktails and hearty steaks. Their French onion soup is a classic and is a great antidote to brisk Michigan weather. 

John Reyes

Slurping Turtle

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Long gone are the days when ramen was only known as a packet of instant noodles prepared by novice home cooks or those looking to stretch their food budget. The past couple of decades have seen dedicated ramen shops opening all across the country as people discover the endless combinations of broths and flavor profiles. Slurping Turtle has some of the best versions of ramen featuring ingredients such as pork belly, chicken, and their popular duck fat fried chicken.

Lan City Noodle Bar (Ann Arbor)

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At Lan City, diners can enjoy fresh noodles that are hand-pulled to order and served in a variety of stir fry dishes and over fifteen different soups. The chong quing soup is a treat for spice seekers with minced pork, vegetables, and noodles in a sinus-clearing Sichuan peppercorn-infused broth.  

John Reyes

When it comes to heartiness, there aren’t many soups that can match up to pozole — shredded pork and hominy in a pool of rich, spicy chile-infused broth. Tmaz serves a terrific version with a variety of garnishes like lime, shredded cabbage, chopped onions, and cilantro. Alternately, Tmaz’s earthy menudobeef tripe is another stellar option for soup season.

Bellflower

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Located in downtown Ypsilanti, Bellflower has received much well-deserved acclaim for its elegant, Southern-inspired menu made from local ingredients. The gumbo here changes based on what’s currently best available and often includes ingredients such as shrimp, duck, smoked lamb, or sausage.

John Reyes

Zingerman's Roadhouse

There’s much debate over whether chili is considered a soup (it’s technically a stew) and even more as to whether it can contain beans. There’s no debate, however, that the Roadhouse’s ancho beef chuck chili — with black beans — deserves a spot on this list for its deep, rich flavor and hunks of beef.  

John Reyes

Arirang Restaurant

Budae Jjigae, or “army base soup” started as a necessity due to food scarcity in post-war Korea as locals used surplus food from American military bases. Locals took whatever they could find — often canned meats and hot dogs — to create this spicy soup that eventually became part of the national lexicon. Arirang’s version uses pork belly, ham, and sausage and is a highlight on a menu that already features more than a dozen other soups. 

John Reyes

VKitchen

Many consider pho to be the Vietnamese national dish as it’s enjoyed at all times of the day at households, restaurants, and local street food stalls. Its earthy broth is complemented with rice noodles and meat and is served with garnishes of of herbs, peppers, and other toppings giving the diner the ability customize t their own unique version. V Kitchen does not skimp on the toppings and offers several types of proteins, including a spicy version with three kinds of meat.

Le Dog = La Soup

Hidden among a set of shops on Main Street is local legend Le Dog, a weekday lunch window serving up soups and hot dogs. A constantly-changing lineup of specials joins two mainstays — lobster bisque and chicken tortilla — that have been a local favorite for almost 50 years. 

Amadeus Restaurant

Diners don’t need a flight to Vienna to experience a healthy dose of old-world European charm. Everything at Amadeus — from the light fixtures to the decor to the live music — is right out of a classic central European cafe. That authenticity also extends to the menu, which includes two classic soups — ogorkowa, a creamy, dill pickle soup and barszcz, the Polish version of the popular beet soup borscht.

Knight's Steakhouse

Ann Arborites flock to Knight’s for their swimming pool-sized cocktails and hearty steaks. Their French onion soup is a classic and is a great antidote to brisk Michigan weather. 

John Reyes

Slurping Turtle

Long gone are the days when ramen was only known as a packet of instant noodles prepared by novice home cooks or those looking to stretch their food budget. The past couple of decades have seen dedicated ramen shops opening all across the country as people discover the endless combinations of broths and flavor profiles. Slurping Turtle has some of the best versions of ramen featuring ingredients such as pork belly, chicken, and their popular duck fat fried chicken.

Lan City Noodle Bar (Ann Arbor)

At Lan City, diners can enjoy fresh noodles that are hand-pulled to order and served in a variety of stir fry dishes and over fifteen different soups. The chong quing soup is a treat for spice seekers with minced pork, vegetables, and noodles in a sinus-clearing Sichuan peppercorn-infused broth.  

John Reyes

Tmaz

When it comes to heartiness, there aren’t many soups that can match up to pozole — shredded pork and hominy in a pool of rich, spicy chile-infused broth. Tmaz serves a terrific version with a variety of garnishes like lime, shredded cabbage, chopped onions, and cilantro. Alternately, Tmaz’s earthy menudobeef tripe is another stellar option for soup season.

Bellflower

Located in downtown Ypsilanti, Bellflower has received much well-deserved acclaim for its elegant, Southern-inspired menu made from local ingredients. The gumbo here changes based on what’s currently best available and often includes ingredients such as shrimp, duck, smoked lamb, or sausage.

John Reyes

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