Nothing feels more comforting than a warm bowl of soup to help soothe the body and soul. If you’re fighting off a cold or just craving something comforting during all the rainy weather this week, a hearty, steamy bowl can make anyone feel better. And while Los Angeles is known for its year-round sunshine, these cozy dishes can warm you from the inside out.
Fortunately, our city offers a variety of spots, from ramen to lentil soup. These are the perfect soups and comfort food to get you through. No need to venture out and leave the comfort and safety of your home either! Many of these restaurants will deliver right to your door.
1. Ramen from Daikokuya
Whether you’ve been to the original Daikokuya in Little Tokyo or not, chances are you’ve caught glimpse of its long lines. Once you get to taste their homemade noodles and flavorful broth, it’s easy to understand why. We recommend getting their Spicy Miso Ramen for some extra warmth. Oh, and don’t forget the egg!
📍 Location: 327 1st St, Los Angeles, CA 90012
2. Menudo or Caldo from Los Tres Cochinitos
If you’re looking for some authentic Mexican soup, then look no further. Los Tres Cochinitos is a hole-in-the-wall that offers delicious menudo and caldo de res or pollo that will satisfy any craving. Some even swear their soups are better than abuelitas, but please don’t tell her that. Instead, just take her with you too, and let her be the ultimate judge. Heads up! This place is cash-only.
📍 Location: 3111 N Main St, Los Angeles, CA 90031
3. Rare Beef Pho from Phở 87
Found right on the outskirts of Chinatown, Phở 87, excuse our language, is so pho-cking good. They offer exceptional Vietnamese dishes, and you already know their rare beef pho is a local favorite, and a must during this weather. They don’t offer delivery at this time, but, you can call for pick up! (This spot is also cash-only)
📍 Location: 1019 N Broadway Los Angeles, CA 90012
📞 (323) 227-0758 for pick-up
4. Sopa de Pata (Salvadoreña) from La Pupusa Urban Eatery
This Salvadoran staple is the perfect way to get cozy on a winter’s day. Their savory broth along with the tender meat, cooked to perfection corn and yucca will feel like a big warm hug on your taste buds. And hey, it’s okay if you pick up a few pupusas while you’re there too!
📍 Location:1051 W Washington Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90015
🍲 Order pick-up or delivery here!
5. Albondigas Soup from El Tepeyac Cafe
If you’re an East LA local, chances are you grew up coming to this spot. Their albondigas soup is made with their homemade flavor-packed broth and juicy handmade meatballs that practically melt in your mouth. Travel channel even named El Tepeyac as one of the “101 Best Chowdowns in America” in 2010 and ranked them at #23 in the whole country.
📍 Location: 812 N Evergreen Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90033
🍲 Order delivery or pick-up here!
6. Pozole from El Parian
I mean, you already knew pozole was going to be on the list. It truly is an unwritten rule to feast on it when it rains, and we highly recommend heading to El Parian to get your fix. If you really want to warm yourself up, grab yourself a beer or two. Their soup is guaranteed hot and ready, while their beer is ice cold. You’ll surely warm up in more ways than one! Cheers to that.
📍 Location: 1528 W Pico Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90015
📞 (213) 386-7361
7. Sopa de Pollo (Cubana) from El Colmao
Sopa de Pollo con Fideos is a Cuban take on the classic chicken noodle soup. It’s so simple yet so satisfying. Each sip will fill you with nostalgia and warmth like no other. El Colmao also offers other authentic Cuban dishes in case you’re in the mood for some ropa vieja, platanos, and more!
📍 Location: 2328 W Pico Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90006
8. 7 Seas Soup from Gloria’s Cafe
This beloved Salvadoran and Mexican spot combines the best flavors found in both cultures. Gloria’s Cafe is a respected local favorite that’s been serving Los Angeles since 1981, and with just one taste of their 7 Seas Soup, you’ll truly understand why they’ve been around for decades. So much so, that they even came out on Drive-Ins, Diners, and Dives, and even Guy Fieri himself described the soup as having a “Deep, deep flavor! Really rich!” If you’re curious, you can check out the episode here.
📍 Location: 10227 Venice Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90034
📱 Order online for pick-up here
9. Birria Ramen from Birria Red Tacos
Speaking of combining flavors… when you can’t decide on what you want, why not have the best of both worlds? Birria Red Tacos has combined the yummy texture of noodles and the juiciness of birria with their own twist on ramen. While they only do pop-ups at this time, you can catch them at Imperial Night Market and El Mercadito Night Market.To stay up to date on their future pop-ups, follow them on Instagram here!
📍 Location: 2300 E 15th St, Los Angeles, 90021
10. Sopa de Caracol (Hondureña) from Doña Bibis
Found in the heart of MacArthur Park, Doña Bibi’s has been serving authentic Honduran food since 1997. Honduran immigrant, traditional cook, and Latinx activist Doña Bibi opened up this place over 20 years ago, and now Maynor Sandoval upholds her legacy through her original dishes. A local favorite (especially during winter) is their Sopa de Caracol, which is a warm pot full of conch, shrimp, yucca, and vegetables.
📍 Location: 2400 W 7th St #101, Los Angeles, CA 90057
📞 (213) 383-8595
🍲 Order online here!
11. Chinese Hotpot from Haidilao
Admittedly, Haidilao is a chain that can be found all over the world, but we’d be lying to you if we said it wasn’t good. The truth is, their hotpot is life-changing and the service is exceptional. They offer several soup bases, and an array of dishes from shrimp to noodles. They also have a signature sauce bar where you can customize any flavor to your liking. We can go on and on about this place, but you really need to check it out for yourself.
📍 Location: 10250 Santa Monica Blvd Ste 2610, Los Angeles, CA 90067
12. Sancocho (Panameña) from Caribbean Soul Kitchen LA
Caribbean Soul Kitchen LA gives locals authentic flavors straight from Panama. They promise that their roots and food will keep you coming back for more, and when you try their Sancocho, you’ll know it to be true. Their hearty Panamanian soup is full of straight-up goodness like corn, squash, carrots, yuca, and chicken. And yes, they deliver!
📍 Location: 5354 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036
🍲 Order online here!
13. Lentil Soup from Carnival Restaurant
Carnival Restaurant has been a beloved destination for authentic Lebanese cuisine in Los Angeles for decades. One of the standout dishes is the rich and flavorful vegetarian lentil soup, a local favorite that keeps guests coming back for more.
📍 Location: 4356 Woodman Ave. Sherman Oaks, CA 91423
🍲Order online here!
14. Menudo from La Barca Restaurant
La Barca Restaurant is a hidden gem near the University of Southern California. While all of their Mexican cuisine is delicious, their traditional-style red chili menudo is the most comforting dish on the menu.
📍 Location: 2414 S Vermont Ave Los Angeles, CA 90007
📞 (323) 735-6567
15. Pozolería Doña Ana
Pozolería Doña Ana is a true hidden gem in Panorama City and Pacoima, known for serving some of the best pozole in Los Angeles. Their famous pozole rojo estilo Nayarit, especially the loaded version with pork meat, pata, and cuerito, has earned them a loyal following. Doña Ana’s heartfelt cooking shines through in every bowl. And don’t miss pairing it with her tacos dorados de picadillo.
📍 Locations:
- 14551 Nordhoff St, Panorama City, CA 91402
- 10345 Laurel Canyon Blvd, Pacoima, CA 91331
Originally written by Sophie Len.