IT is only natural to close your eyes as you lean over a bowl of broth and breathe in the delicious wisps of steam rising up your face. I’ve seen animated characters from Studio Ghibli’s food-laden filmography perform this action many times, but never felt the urge to do so myself—until now.
I’m at The Soup Shop, near Paul’s Hospital on Kaloor-Kathrikadavu Road, to try the new specials from their revamped menu. Their Taiwanese beef noodle variant, with its melt-in-your-mouth stewed tenderloin cuts, crisp bok choy, and rice noodles glistening in a flavourful meat consommé, sets a high benchmark.
The outlet, which will soon be celebrating its third anniversary, has redesigned its interiors too. Though not much has been done in terms of plush decor, the seating capacity has improved substantially from 12 to 30 covers with the kitchen having moved upstairs.
Slurp it up
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The next gratifying serving I try is called Popeye’s Dream, complete with fresh peas and (surprise, surprise) spinach! Every hot bowl serving here comes with butter-garlic toasted baguette pieces, and this pairs brilliantly with the aforementioned mishmash of an Italian stracciatella and Chinese egg drop soup.
Chefs Vishnu AR and Stanlee George Philips have also introduced a bunch of appetising salads like prawns and veggies tossed in an excellent paprika-laden Louie dressing. Furthermore, I recommend trying their pepper sauce glazed cut-up beef steak which easily serves two.
The Soup Shop’s unique assortment of wholesome dining options may not seem as spectacular as the classic comfort foods conjured up by Studio Ghibli’s imagineers, however, it comes real close.
From noon to midnight.
anoop.p@newindianexpress.com
@godsonlymistake
Pics: Gichu Tom