When winter settles in and the temperatures dip, nothing feels more comforting than a bowl of hot, aromatic soup. From Himalayan heirloom lentils to Asian broths and classic winter vegetables, these five home-friendly recipes bring together tradition, wellness, and exquisite flavors. Here’s a curated list of must-try soups shared by celebrated chefs and beloved cafés across India perfect to warm you up on the coldest days.
Kumaon Wellness Soup from Taj Corbett Resort & Spa
By Chef Bidyut Saha, Executive Chef, Taj Corbett Resort & Spa
Rooted in the Himalayan foothills, this wholesome soup beautifully blends Gahat Dal (Horse Gram) with fresh local vegetables. Rich in protein and fiber, it captures the rustic charm of Kumaoni cuisine while keeping wellness at its core. Perfect for chilly evenings, this comforting bowl embodies mountain simplicity reimagined for modern dining.
Ingredients:
• Gahat Dal – ½ cup (soaked overnight)
• Carrots – ½ cup
• Broccoli – ½ cup
• Zucchini – ½ cup
• Baby Corn – ½ cup
• Beans – ½ cup
• Onion – ½ cup, chopped
• Garlic – 1 tsp, minced
• Ginger – 1 tsp, minced
• Green Chili – 1, chopped (optional)
• Oil – 1 tbsp
• Salt & Pepper – to taste
• Lemon Juice – 1 tsp (optional)
Instructions:
- Soak Gahat Dal overnight and boil with water, salt, turmeric, garlic, and ginger until soft.
- In a pan, heat oil. Sauté onion, garlic, ginger, and green chili. Add carrots, beans, broccoli and zucchini. Cook until tender.
- Add cooked dal to the veggies. Adjust consistency with water. Simmer for 5–10 minutes.
- Add salt, pepper, sauté mushroom, and lemon juice. Serve hot with crusty bread or millet flatbread.
Himalayan Kulath Soup (Horse Gram Soup) – Leisure Hotels Group
By Chef Hari, The Naini Retreat
A warm, earthy, and traditional Pahadi soup made with kulath dal, this recipe is both nourishing and aromatic. With a robust tempering of cumin, garlic, and mustard seeds, it delivers a punch of mountain flavors and is a perfect winter immunity booster.
Ingredients:
• Kulath dal – ½ cup
• Water – 4 cups
• Onion (finely chopped) – 1 small
• Tomato (chopped) – 1 medium
• Garlic (crushed) – 4–5 cloves
• Ginger (grated) – 1 tsp
• Green chili – 1 (optional)
• Cumin seeds – ½ tsp
• Mustard seeds – ½ tsp
• Turmeric powder – ¼ tsp
• Coriander powder – ½ tsp
• Salt – to taste
• Black pepper – ¼ tsp
• Ghee or oil – 1 tbsp
• Lemon juice – 1 tsp
• Fresh coriander leaves – for garnish
Method:
• Soak kulath dal for 6–8 hours or overnight.
• Drain and pressure cook with 4 cups of water, turmeric, and salt for 5–6 whistles.
• Heat ghee/oil. Add cumin, then garlic, ginger, and green chili.
• Add onion, sauté until golden. Add tomato and dry spices; cook till soft.
• Add cooked dal and adjust water to soup consistency. Simmer 5–10 minutes.
• Finish with roasted jeera powder, lemon juice, and coriander. Serve hot.
Potstickers Soup – Parisian Cafe
This hearty Asian-inspired winter bowl is flavorful, aromatic, and incredibly satisfying. With potstickers simmered in a ginger-garlic broth, it’s the perfect cozy soup for evenings when you want something warm, filling, and packed with umami.
Ingredients:
Broth
• Ginger garlic
• Soya
• Veg or chicken stock
• Seasoning
Method:
• Heat 1 tbsp oil in a large stockpot over medium-high heat.
• Add chopped carrots, green onion and edamame; sauté.
• Add remaining oil, garlic and ginger. Sauté 1–2 minutes.
• Add vegetable broth and soy sauce; bring to a boil.
• Add pan-seared potstickers and half the scallions; cook 3–4 minutes.
• Stir in sesame oil and freshly ground black pepper.
• Adjust seasoning as needed.
Veg Khao Suey Soup from Chowman
By Ram Bahadur Budhathoki, Head Chef, Chowman Chain of Restaurants
Ingredients:
• Boiled Noodles – 150 gm
• Beans – 10 gm • Carrot – 15 gm
• Broccoli – 20 gm
• Green Zucchini – 5 gm
• Yellow Zucchini – 5 gm
• Button Mushroom – 20 gm
• Chinese Cabbage – 10 gm
• Pak Choi – 15 gm
• Green Peas – 10 gm
• Baby Corn – 15 gm
• Water Chestnut – 10 gm
• Red Capsicum – 15 gm
• Yellow Capsicum – 15 gm
• Green Capsicum – 15 gm
• Oil – 10 gm
• Singapore Oil – 10 gm
• Khao Suey Paste – 25 gm
• Salt – 4 gm
• Sugar – 4 gm
• White Pepper – 1 gm
• Ajinomoto – 2 gm
• Curry Powder – 2 gm
• Coconut Milk – 40 ml
• Lemon – 1 pc
• Condiment Set – (Burnt Garlic, Fried Onion, Fried Noodles, Spring Onion, Coriander Leaves, Fresh Red Chilli, Crushed Peanut & Lemon Wedges)
Method:
- Heat oil and Singapore oil in a wok. Add all the vegetables—beans, carrot, broccoli, zucchini, mushrooms, cabbage, pak choi, peas, baby corn, water chestnut, and capsicum. Stir-fry on high flame for 2–3 minutes.
- Add Khao Suey paste and curry powder. Mix well to coat the vegetables evenly.
- Pour in coconut milk and let it simmer gently to create a rich, creamy base.
- Season with salt, sugar & white pepper. Stir and cook until the flavors blend well.
- Add boiled noodles to the curry base and toss gently so they absorb the sauce.
- Adjust consistency with a little water or coconut milk as desired.
- Squeeze fresh lemon juice before serving for a tangy lift.
- Serve hot in a bowl topped with the condiment set – burnt garlic, fried onions, fried noodles, chopped spring onions, coriander leaves, fresh red chilli, crushed peanuts, and lemon wedges.
Preparation Time: 25–30 mins
Tulsi Tomato Shorba – Kalpaney
A soothing, aromatic shorba that celebrates the warmth of winter, Kalpaney’s version pairs ripe tomatoes with fresh tulsi for a beautifully balanced bowl. Light yet flavorful, it features spices like black pepper, deghi mirch, and coriander seeds. Served with crispy house-made basil rusk, this shorba feels like a gentle winter embrace.
Ingredients:
• Ripe tomatoes
• Fresh basil (tulsi)
• Ginger
• Garlic
• Coriander seeds & fresh coriander
• Black peppercorn
• Deghi mirch powder
• Sunflower oil
• Salt
• Sweetened saffron milk (optional)
Method:
Tomatoes are slow-cooked with spices and aromatics until soft and fragrant. The mixture is blended to a smooth consistency and finished with a tempering of garlic, tulsi, and warm spices. The soup is strained, reduced, and served hot with basil rusk for crunch.
READ MORE: Where Should You Check In This Winter? Our Curated List of Chic Seasonal Escapes
