Fragrant broths, velvety purees, chunky stews, rough-cut veggies and buttery, eclectic combinations of sea creatures all have a place in the landscape of soups. We revisited our favorite soups along with a few new ones, and we're sharing recipes for some and places to get your fill for others. From hominy-filled pozole to herb-packed tom yum, warm your bones this winter season with one of these unique bowls.
Pho Ha Long's Pho
Find it at 6424 NW Loop 410, (210) 521-4507
A perennial contender for Best Vietnamese restaurant in our Best of San Antonio issue, Pho Ha Long's found a secret formula for keeping Alamo City slurpers happy. It could be the accoutrement plate with snappy bean sprouts, thick jalapeño slices, juicy quartered limes and finely shredded cabbage that's ready for piling into your bowl (medium should be more than enough, but the large is also an option for more ravenous appetites, and the broth does reheat well).
Maybe it's the clean, fresh cuts of meat that come with every bowl of pho — flank, round eye steak, brisket, skirt, tripe, tendon or meatball. We're partial to the No. 10 with round eye steak, lean flank and chewy tendon, but if you're looking for a spicy variation, dining companions recommend the No. 45 bún bò huê with spicy beef soup and a combination that's not for the faint of stomach — sliced beef, pork, slightly metallic pig blood curd and handsome pig's foot for chewing on.
Or maybe it's the broth, which makes it to the table at just the right temperature and ready for diving in. One spoonful soothes just about any worry or case of the sniffles. Head here when nothing else will do during cedar season.
Where to get your fix:
Pho Sure
741 W. Ashby Pl., (210) 733-8473, pho-sure.com
Heavenly Pho
19178 Blanco Road, #305, (210) 545-3553, heavenlypho.com
Pho Thien An
126 W. Rector, #108, (210) 348-8526, phothienansa.com
Viva Pho
2114 NW Military Hwy., (210) 525-8388, vivapho.com
Pho Cong Ly
300 W. Bitters Road, Suite 115, (210) 499-5572
