The Definitive Ranking Of Soups

Not all soup is created equal.

24. Lentil Soup

Flickr: cuttingboard / Via Creative Commons

There is some weird underlying sadness in lentil soup.

23. Egg Drop Soup

Flickr: mattmendoza / Via Creative Commons

Sorry, but those egg shreds will just always be a little unsettling.

22. Split Pea Soup

Flickr: sidknee23 / Via Creative Commons

Split pea texture is what I imagine eating chalk would be like, if the chalk was pea-flavored. Plus it's hard to eat without thinking about The Exorcist.

21. Manhattan Clam Chowder

Flickr: bewarenerd / Via Creative Commons

You think hot tomato clams make you so metropolitan, don't you? Sorry, but you'll never be as cool as New England clam chowder.

20. Chicken Noodle Soup

Flickr: divinedecay / Via Creative Commons

This soup is great in theory, but it's almost never executed well. Soggy noodles and sad chicken bits, crying together in a bowl.

19. Broccoli Cheddar Soup

Flickr: ejchang / Via Creative Commons

When done well, this soup can be amazing. When done poorly, it’s an ungodly mouth punishment.

18. Gumbo

Flickr: foodishfetish / Via Creative Commons

Gumbo gets points for spiciness, but there's a lot going on. It can be a little intimidating.

17. Bean Soup

Flickr: sweetbeetandgreenbean / Via Creative Commons

Mad love for dem beans (white beans, black beans, navy beans, love them all), but it must be said: Soups just don’t let 'em shine.

16. Minestrone

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Minestrone is the go-to vegetarian soup, but it can go bad so easily. Urgh, so many overcooked vegetables.

15. Miso Soup

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Miso serves its purpose (getting your body ready for the inappropriate amount of sushi you’re about to digest) but — real talk — it’s pretty bland and lame in the grand scheme of soups.

14. Chili

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Chili is like a thick, spicy bowl of the American dream. And the American dream will make you feel kind of pukey if you eat too much.

13. Matzo Ball Soup

Flickr: sheriwetherell / Via Creative Commons

Sure, sometimes the matzo balls are so dense you feel like you ate a softball and are scared of what's gonna come out the other end. But when a matzo ball soup is done correctly, it’ll warm your entire soul.

12. Wonton Soup

chinasichuanfood.com / Via Creative Commons

Never choose between dumplings and soup again.

11. Mushroom Soup

jamieoliver.com

Something magic happens to mushrooms when you blend them up, especially if you use rosemary.

10. Potato Soup

acouplecooks.com

This is perfect if you've ever wanted to drink a potato. Potatoes (and sweet potatoes, as shown above) are delicious in all forms, even liquid.

9. New England Clam Chowder

norecipes.com

Hot clams in cream seem like a bad idea. WRONG. They're a great idea.

8. Tomato Soup

Flickr: rusvaplauke / Via Creative Commons

Full disclosure: If all tomato soup was actually tomato-cheddar, it would be at the top of the list. But since it isn’t, tomato remains in the upper middle of the pack. Sometimes it is EXACTLY what you need and sometimes it's just tomato water.

7. Seafood Bisque

versesfrommykitchen.com

Like eating your own personal creamy ocean.

6. Gazpacho

sundayswithjennie.com

When it's hot out there is literally nothing better than gazpacho. It has all the flavors of summer in one convenient bowl. It’s like sunshine was put into a soup.

5. Chicken and Dumpling Soup

thepioneerwoman.com

This is just an excuse to eat dumplings with the added recreation of chasing after them as they swim around.

4. Pho

seriouseats.com

Not sure what's better — the subtle flavors or arguing with people about how to pronounce it. Either way, it will fill your soul with happiness.

3. Tortilla Soup

peasandcrayons.com

So many yummy flavors! It’s like a fiesta in your mouth.

2. Ramen

ladyandpups.com

There's a noodle party and you're invited.

1. Butternut Squash Soup

cafepatita.net

This soup is the squash at its best. Creamy and yummy, it's like drinking velvet.