Soup is a common dish in many cultures across the world, from Africa and Asia to Europe and the Americas. In many places it’s a breakfast dish, being packed with vegetables and spices that provide a power-up for the day ahead, but here in the UK it’s typically served for lunch or as a starter.
In Britain, mulligatawny soup is a favourite, originating from Tamil cuisine in the south of India. It became popular during the British Raj, when colonists took the traditional recipe and added ingredients such as meat and rice to suit their tastes. Now it appears in both Indian curry restaurants and English pubs, offering a hearty and flavourful dish that’s perfect for autumn and winter.
How to eat soup
Another very British creation is correct dining etiquette, and this of course extends to eating soup. Let’s delve into the ‘proper’ way to serve and eat soup.
Serving
Soup should be served in a soup bowl, which is placed on an underplate. When the soup is finished, the spoon should be left on the right hand side of the underplate, not in the bowl.
Eating
When eating soup, you should bend slightly towards the soup bowl without dropping your head and rounding your back. The handle of the soupspoon should rest on your middle finger with the thumb placed on top. Dip the spoon sideways into the soup at the front edge of the bowl and skim it towards the back, allowing it to wipe the back rim of the bowl before raising it to your mouth. The rhyme, “Like ships that sail out to sea, I spoon my soup away from me” is a handy reminder of how to spoon soup.
Ideally, soup is not blown on to cool it. Instead, wait for a few minutes to allow the dish to cool before eating. You can also hold the spoonful of soup lightly just above the bowl, allowing the liquid to cool before eating. Sip clear soups and broths quietly from the side of the spoon without slurping. Heartier soups can be eaten by placing the spoon point first into the mouth.
If eating soup with bread, place the spoon on the underplate then use the same hand to pick up the bread and take a bite. The bread should not be dipped into the soup. If eating soup with oyster crackers or saltines, these should be added sparingly.
When retrieving the last spoonfuls of soup, tip the bowl slightly away from you and gently scoop up the liquid, taking care not to clang or scrape the bowl with the spoon.
Sample Indian soup in London
If you’re looking for an Indian curry place that serves traditional mulligatawny soup, head to Little India in Kensington. We serve authentic cuisine from soups and daals to tandoori dishes and curries, all made with the freshest ingredients. Search ‘Indian curry near me’ and book a table today to experience a taste of the Indian subcontinent in London.
