eat + drink

Soup lovers, the world is at your doorstep! From Cambodian tam yam to Ghanian peanut butter soup to Ukrainian borscht, the restaurants of the Twin Cities area offer a global selection of winter warmers. We couldn't list all of the world's soups that are available or list all of the restaurants that serve them. But here's a sampling of some of the tastiest meals in a bowl. You won't find all of the varieties of soup I mention in every one of the restaurants listed for that country, but you can expect to find a good variety.

Cambodia

You can taste the proximity to Thailand and Vietnam in soups such as hot and sour tam yam; saramann beef curry soup with coconut milk, peanuts and kaffir lime, and machu Angkor, a traditional sour soup made with winter squash, pineapple, tomato and fresh herbs.

Cheng Heng, 448 W. University Av., St. Paul; 651-222-5577.

Kolap Restaurant, 601 N. Dale St., St. Paul; 651-222-2488.

China

Wonton soup is the most famous, but the world's most populous nation has a tremendous range, from beef brisket noodle (my favorite) and congee (rice porridge) with pork and thousand-year-old egg to such exotic banquet fare as shark's fin and bird's nest soups.

Hong Kong Noodle, 901 Washington Av. SE., Minneapolis; 612-379-9472.

Mandarin Kitchen, 8766 Lyndale Ave. S., Bloomington; 952-884-5356.

Rainbow Chinese Restaurant, 2739 Nicollet Av., Minneapolis; 612-870-7084.

Seafood Palace, 2523 Nicollet Av. S., Minneapolis; 612-874-7721.

Village Wok, 610 Washington Av. SE., Minneapolis; 612-331-9041.

Yummy, 2450 Nicollet Av. S., Minneapolis; 612-870-8000.

Ecuador

Caldo de bagra combines catfish, yucca and plantains -- but watch out for the bones! Other offerings include seafood, chicken and cow's foot soups.

Guayaquil Restaurant, 1526 E. Lake St., Minneapolis; 612-722-2344.

France

Potages are puréed, while soupes are chunky, but the greatest French soup of them all is bouillabaisse, the Mediterranean seafood chowder.