As temperatures take a sharp drop this winter, we find a renewed appreciation for all things cozy, especially when it involves a steaming bowl of soup. Aside from the comforting aspect, the best part about soup comes in how universal it is. Soup has warmed communities across the world, and each culture has made it unique with local ingredients, techniques, and traditions.
Find many iterations of the dish all around the Denver metro area, from ladles of homey Mexican green chili stew to bowls of rich French onion to containers of licorice-tinged Vietnamese pho. This season grab a cup of comfort and stay warm while indulging in flavors from around the world. We gathered five types to enjoy and where to get them.
French Onion Soup at Le French
During this soup soliloquy we start in France. In fact, it’s country the English word for the dish came from. Namely, French onion soup, a traditional option featuring rich beef broth swimming with cooked onions and topped with bread and toasted cheese. While the exact origins of the onion soup remain unclear, one tale credits King Louis XV with creating the first bowl with onions, butter, and champagne.
Today, sisters Aminata and Rougui Dia bring a taste of France to Denver with Le French, a gourmet, Parisian-style bistro. Raised in Neuilly-Plaisance, just 30 minutes outside Paris, the sisters opened their first location in the Denver Tech Center in 2019, quickly earning a loyal following. By 2023, they expanded to the 9+CO development. The French Onion Soup ($12) contains a rich blend of vegetable broth, caramelized onions, and gruyère cheese gratiné atop baguette croutons. Grab a bowl during lunch, dinner, and brunch services, and melt away the chill of the day. 846 Albion St., Denver and 4901 S. Newport St., Denver, lefrenchdenver.com
Pho at Pho King Rapidos
For our next stop we head to Vietnam, where soup is so important, the country’s national dish is pho. Pronounced like “fuh”, the soup has become a global favorite. The origins of pho are intertwined with French colonization and cultural shifts.
Before beef became a staple, coastal regions served bánh đa cua (a crab-based noodle soup), while northern communities enjoyed xáo, made with vermicelli noodles and thinly sliced water buffalo meat. The French introduced beef in the late 19th century, and by 1954, after the partition of Vietnam, Southern influences like basil and bean sprouts made way into the now-iconic dish.
Here in Denver, Long Nguyen and Shauna Seaman, both Colorado natives, put their own spin on the flavors of home with Pho King Rapidos. Starting from a food truck and expanding to a stall inside Avanti Denver in 2020, the team serves “Vietnamese-ish dishes” that blend tradition with creativity.
Nguyen’s modern approach has earned a large fan base. Alongside innovative banh mi sandwiches ($14-$18) and seasonal specials like the Crispy Adobo Bowl ($15), you’ll find a comforting bowl of Pho with Smoked Brisket ($15). Made with 24-hour beef bone broth, pho-spice smoked brisket, fresh rice noodles, and topped with cilantro, scallion, onion, and jalapeño, it’s a satisfying take on a timeless dish and perfect for warming up. You can visit them at Avanti daily from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily or order in via Uber Eats. 3200 N. Pecos St., Denver, pkr-denver.com
Hotpot at The Bronze Empire
Now we move toward the traditional roots of Chinese hotpot, a communal dining experience that dates back to northern China in approximately 1600 B.C. Here the frigid winters demand hearty, warming meals. Hotpot is an interactive and customizable feast, allowing diners to flavor the broth with spices, oils, and herbs. Cook the thinly sliced meats, fresh seafood, and vibrant vegetables at the table in a constantly heated pot, which ensures every bite is perfectly cooked and piping hot.
The Bronze Empire is a fine choice to get one started, especially because it offers the all-you-can-eat option for $29.99. The restaurant is part of the One Concept Restaurant Group, led by Shuang Crossland, a restauranteur originally from Dalian, China, where hotpot is a staple.
Once seated, select from 11 broths, ranging from the fiery Authentic Spicy Pot to the milder Original Pot. From there choose your base of rice or noodles. Now, the fun truly begins, with an array of toppings from traditional beef tripe to raw egg to gyoza. Premium proteins include USDA Angus prime ribeye, beef tongue, and pork belly. Then on the seafood side, fresh pieces of squid, Arctic surf clams, and shrimp are available. Also check out the entire soy-based line up as well as vegetables, and mushrooms.
Located just off the Colorado Boulevard exit on I-25, The Bronze Empire welcomes guests seven days a week from 4 p.m. to midnight, making it the perfect spot to gather, share, and warm up on a chilly Denver evening. 1591 S. Colorado Blvd., Denver, thebronzeempire.com
Green Chili Soup at 3 Margaritas
Bringing us back to North America, we turn to Mexico, a country with a rich tradition of beloved soups such as menudo, pozole, tortilla soup, caldos, and birria. While the list is long, Colorado’s particular affection for green chili deserves special recognition.
At its heart, green chili is defined by roasted and peeled green chiles native to Mexico, which lend a smoky, earthy flavor to the dish. Regional variations of green chili incorporate other vibrant ingredients such as onions, peppers, lime, cilantro, and garlic, resulting in a uniquely flavorful dish. Often incorporating tender chunks of pork, the stew achieves a balance between its hearty texture and the bright, vibrant essence of the green chiles.
For a taste of this local favorite, 3 Margaritas, a family-operated franchise with eight locations across the Denver area, offers a flavorful Green Chili Soup ($12). This version showcases green Hatch chiles sourced from New Mexico, paired with tomatoes, pork, and traditional seasonings. Served with your choice of corn or flour tortillas, it’s a bowl filled with warmth that speaks to the region. While operation hours vary per location, you can order this delicious soup during the lunch and dinner services to experience a true Colorado favorite. Multiple locations, 3margaritasrestaurants.com
Water Grill
Rounding out our soup tour, we head to New England, home to some of the finest seafood in the United States and the birthplace of clam chowder. This rich, hearty soup is traditionally thickened with cream or roux, and laden with seafood and/or vegetables. While its origins trace back to European fishermen, who incorporated their daily catch into a warming stew, the East Coast put its own spin on the dish by highlighting clams and serving it alongside iconic oyster crackers.
As a staple of seafood cuisine, clam chowder can be found on menus across the country, but Water Grill’s rendition stands out. Each bowl comes seasoned with onion, carrot, celery, and chives, and elevated with fingerling potatoes, whole clams, and applewood-smoked bacon, just to give it a bit of smoky depth. Executive Chef Jessica Biederman, a winner of the Surf, Seafood Challenge, ensures the freshest ingredients shine in every bowl. The clam chowder is available from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Sunday through Thursday and until 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. 1691 Market St, Denver, watergrill.com
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