To quote Winnie the Pooh, fall is “a time of hot chocolatey mornings, and toasty marshmallow evenings, and, best of all, leaping into leaves!” All of which we are on board with, but there’s much more goodness to be had in these few gorgeous months between the heat of summer and the dead of winter, not least of all, humble but comforting steaming bowls of soup. There is nothing quite like feeling that warmth on your face and that intoxicating mix of aromas as you dive in for your first spoonful of hot, hearty soup after a long day of apple picking, pumpkin carving, or gutter cleaning (those leaves though…). Embrace the season with these heartwarming soups in Northern Virginia.
Chay Restaurant’s Hủ Tiếu Noodle Soup
Any of Chay’s Vietnamese noodle soups would hit the spot this time of year, but if we had to recommend one it would be the Hủ Tiếu Noodle Soup. Silky noodles are served in a clear broth with tofu, soy protein, and a bevy of fall veggies, including broccoli, carrots, and mushrooms. A little fried garlic on top adds pungent flavor, plus an extra crunch. 6351 Columbia Pk., Ste. 201, Falls Church
Rosemont Cellar’s Creamy Cauliflower Soup
Rosemont Cellar makes all of its soups and stews from scratch in-house. You wouldn’t even know that the cauliflower soup is vegan; it contains no cream or other dairy whatsoever, but still has a velvety mouthfeel and satisfying richness, which comes from pureed cashew nuts. Cruciferous vegetables like cauliflower taste best when they’re grown and harvested in colder weather, so get your bowlful soon. 2 E. Walnut St., Alexandria
Saravana Palace’s Mulligatawny Soup
Even though mulligatawny soup can be found on Indian restaurant menus year-round, its distinct sweet-savory-spicy profile makes it especially suited for the fickle weather of fall. Saravana Palace combines lentils, coconut milk, tamarind, and a slew of spices for a delightfully flavorful, filling soup. 11725 Lee Hwy., Ste. A15, Fairfax
South Street Under’s Potato Leek Soup
As the days get shorter and chillier, the cold soups of summer make way for steaming bowls of comfort. South Street Under serves up a bowl just like that with its potato leek soup. Reminiscent of its fancier, fair-weather twin vichyssoise, this version stands as more of a chowder. If you have memories of coming home to a hot, hearty, thick soup on a rainy and windy fall day, this soup will bring you straight back there. 203 Harrison St. SE, Leesburg
True Food Kitchen’s Roasted Butternut Squash Soup
Butternut squash soup is a classic fall soup, and True Food Kitchen’s preparation of this classic is pretty traditional with its creamy texture and lots of herbal, woodsy sage that complements the natural sweetness of the squash. This rich, velvety soup is a treat. 4238 Wilson Blvd., Ste. 1110, Arlington; 2910 District Ave., Ste. 170, Fairfax
Feature image of Hủ Tiếu Noodle Soup courtesy Chay Restaurant
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