8 Instantly Warming Noodle Soups

Let’s not leave noodle soups to the days we’re feeling patchy: My philosophy is that when you’re feeling just fine, they make you feel even finer. To me, there is nothing more comforting than something brothy—and as someone who eats pasta or noodles pretty much daily, this is a comfort that can only logically be increased with some stringy additions. If you need a quick refresher on the countless types of noodles out there in the world, find our detailed rundown here.

Here are the soups to simmer with this month:

Though there seems to be no shortage (to my delight) of ramen shops anywhere, it doesn’t mean you can’t aspire to make some at home—this simple version is a good place to start. You can find kombu, Japanese dried seaweed, which will give your broth a great umami base, at Asian grocers, or online.

This ready-to-slurp soup is never far away if you’ve got a pack of chewy udon in the cupboard. It’s also a good challenge: Anyone who says soups aren’t filling can literally eat their words.

The stalwart nourisher, chicken noodle soup has to be on the list—there are countless versions of the classic, if you've got your own favorite recipe, let us know in the comments!

Richly fragrant but as clear as water, this is pho real my favorite soup. It’s packed with the kind of flavor only a long simmer of stock bones and warming spices like fennel, star anise, cardamom, and cinnamon can give.

This Thai green-curry-inspired soup is based on a brilliantly green, quick and easy spice paste that’s full of herbs and alliums to make you feel brand new.

This Japanese hotpot is a fun, colorful dish to serve a group—to lengthen it out, just add noodles!

The most famous Italian soup also has hidden nuggets of pasta within. Minestrone is a classic thrown-together soup that can often be made with whatever vegetables are hiding in the fridge.

Creamy, spicy, sour, filling—this soup ticks all the boxes! It’s worth seeking out kaffir lime leaves, which you can often find frozen at Asian grocers, if not fresh, as they lend a unique limey fragrance to the piece.