Pho’s fine but there are other places around Budapest whose Asian soups are full of flavour and goodness. Here’s a selection of our favourite bowls guaranteed to warm you up on a cold day.
1/10
101Bistro
The
co-founders of this recently opened Taiwanese restaurant have bravely decided
to try to get the brand running in this tricky time. Whatever they could do,
they’ve managed to pull off, thanks to their curious little bento boxes from
Taiwan. Like the multicultural soup of the island nation, whose international
cuisine pretty much boils down to the beef-noodle variety. Order this niu ro
mient, with braised beef jaw, or the vegan version, mou gu tango, with several types
of mushroom, and you won’t regret being warmed up by either. Since they’ve only
been open for a short while, there’s only takeaway service for now, but we’ll
find them on Wolt soon.
2/10
Biang
Chinese buffets
started popping up in great numbers across the city in the 1990s. Back then,
locals generally understood Chinese gastronomy as cheap chicken bits
accompanied by Mexican vegetable mix and rice, and sweet and spicy soups with
an almost jelly-like texture, thanks to all of the starch in them. Now we can
safely let go of these false impressions, especially since TV chef Master Wang
opened Biang, where this genre of soups is perfected to the max. It can treat a
hangover, a cold, and can warm you up after a long hike as well. Biang is
available on Wolt.
3/10
Biwako Ramen House
When they opened this
Japanese restaurant, they clearly put the focus on ramen, but later also
introduced various Japanese bento boxes and izakaya dishes. Authentic cuisine is
the result, with only a few nods towards standard European tastes, but with
plenty of genuine Japanese dishes. If you’re after winter-beating soup, they
have a large selection: at least 18 types of ramen, from soy all the way to curry-
based, allowing to lean towards mild or spicy. If you’re not in the mood to
cross the Grand Boulevard, you can find them at NetPincér and Bolt Food.
4/10
Enso
Sadly, the Asian-Hungarian
fusion, izakaya-style Enso, located in a hidden courtyard somewhat reminiscent
of Berlin, had little time to get settled in after opening in early autumn
before the shutdown started. But anyone who was lucky enough to sample their
ramen – probably one of the best in town – wouldn’t want to be deprived of it
in the December chill. The components of the duck meat and the soup itself are presented
in separate jars, taking care that quality isn’t compromised and the
environment is not damaged with plastic waste. And while we’re on the subject
of warming soups, do bear in mind that from next week you can also take their unsurpassable
crispy pig’s ears home. For now, they provide home delivery throughout
Budapest, but they will also soon be available via Wolt.
5/10
Qui
The founders of Khan and Sao opened a
new outlet this summer, with Thai cuisine in the spotlight, but they also offer
a few traditional dishes from elsewhere in South-East Asia. You can’t go wrong
with anything on the menu, but since for warming soups, we recommend our
favourite kuay tiew tom yum, particularly popular in Chiang Mai. This
tom-yum based soup contains the wide rice noodles typical for pho, which makes
this dish quite filling, too. It’s made with their own secret curry paste, so a
unique experience is guaranteed. You can order Qui soups through Wolt.
6/10
Ramenka
Exclusively from an Asian granny’s
kitchen, proclaims Ramenka, and indeed it’s one of the best places in town to
find Asian comfort food and rich, heart-warming soups. There are seven
different ramens to choose from – all without a single flaw. Our top choice,
however, is shifudo, made extra special with prawns and clams. You can find
them on Wolt, too.
7/10
Rim
Heading to this slightly tatty downtown
eatery echoes Thailand, with three smiling ladies as the chefs. Just like on
the streets of Bangkok, there’s no fake glamour at Rim Thanonh, and that’s just
how we like it. All of the most important, classic Thai dishes can be found among
their selection, but our favourite is the smooth tom kha – which, if
you’re brave enough, you can be extra spicy. See their menu on Wolt.
8/10
Spicy Fish
For a long time, you had to travel all
the way to Kőbánya to enjoy one of the spiciest soups in town, but last year
they opened up a new outlet at Corvin on the Grand Boulevard. The eponymous
spicy fish is a special soup with a lot of chili, and big chunks of meat.
Gourmets will surely enjoy this fiery dish, but those on the more sensitive
side might want to go for something else. It’s a large serving as well, most
likely enough to feed two to three people at the same time.
9/10
Vietnami gulyás
Star chef
Krisztián Huszár is behind this iconic soup filled with life and energy for all
year round, but perhaps better suited when the thermometer dips below zero.
This fusion of South-East Asian soups can be ordered with udon noodles, pickled
eggs, mangalica pork dumplings, beef cheek or beef shashimi. Soups and takeaway
dishes are available from the venue near the Buda foot of Margaret Bridge, or
you can have Wolt deliver.
10/10
WAFU
This tiny place on Kazinczy utca opened just before
the spring quarantine and survived two difficult months thanks to its home-made,
authentic Japanese cuisine being available for take away. Everything on the
short but original menu is worth tasting, but among the various soups, the
dandan spicy sesame ramen was our favourite. They also take the genre
seriously, home-delivery options including making fresh ramen pasta at home, sent
to your door with information about the accompanying video on their Facebook page so you can make soup in the most professional manner – here, it’s all
about the real experience. They still offer takeaway, but you can find them on
Wolt as well.
