When we learned that January is National Soup Month, we immediately thought about how Campbell’s Soup Company has been a part of Camden County for over 150 years! Campbell’s is a household name across the US and it’s right here in our backyard.
In the 1950s, visitors would say they could smell the soup cooking as they drove across the Ben Franklin Bridge into NJ. As a tribute to soup month and our very own Campbell’s, we wanted to explore some other favorite soup places in our community!
Fresh Soups from Philadelphia
With a permanent mark on America’s rich history, locals and visitors associate Philadelphia with The Declaration of Independence, the Liberty Bell, and being the first capital of the United States. As the 2nd largest city on the East Coast, Philadelphia is known for its diversity in science, tech, engineering, and math by Smart Asset. Ranked as the 3rd most populated downtown, Philadelphia is also well known for its many landmarks and hidden gems, among them is Reading Terminal Market and Chinatown, so we sampled soup from each location!
We asked some local friends for their favorite soup spot in Philly, and nearly all of them mentioned Terakawa Ramen. As someone who lived in Tokyo, I was on a mission to find the best “Tantanmen” Ramen when we moved back, and I agree with everyone’s sentiments. Terakawa’s Tan Tan Ramen is extremely authentic and each slurp brings me back to my favorite ramen restaurants on the streets of Tokyo.
Next on our list was Pearl’s Oyster Bar, which has been family-owned and operated since 1981, known for making fresh seafood dishes. Their menu features a Maryland Crab Soup that we needed to try. The freshness of the crab meat, and just the right amount of tomato base with Old Bay Seasoning, truly made this soup delicious. Pearl’s Oyster Bar is located inside Reading Terminal Market, which is one of America’s largest and oldest public markets.We suggest using the 12th & Filbert St. entrance to grab your cup of soup, and from there you can explore the other iconic vendors.
Classic Soup from Haddonfield
Located in Camden County, NJ, is the dreamy town of Haddonfield. Founded in 1713, this historic and walkable downtown is home to just over eleven thousand residents and a dinosaur skeleton named Hadrosaurus. The statue of Hadrosaurus, which was the first nearly intact complete dinosaur skeleton found in the world, joins other iconic town statues located on Kings Highway.
In visiting the town, we chose to visit The Bread Board Plus, and in doing so we may have just discovered the best chili in Southern New Jersey! Open 7 days a week, The Bread Board Plus has been serving the community for over 35 years, and their classic chili always hits the spot. They have rotating soups on their menu, but you can order a cup of chili anytime.
We highly recommend adding sour cream and shredded cheese on the side of your chili for some extra flavor. Stop in for a cup at 605 Haddon Ave, and let us know if this is the best local chilli you’ve tried.
Comfort Soup from Cherry Hill
The sprawling township of Cherry Hill with nearly seventy-one thousand residents is well known for its expansive system of public and county owned parks, as well as one of the largest public libraries in the state. With easy access to the PATCO, Amtrak and nearby interstates, it is clear why residents flock to this Camden County suburb.
Serving the region for over 20 years as a Cherry Hill staple, The Kibitz Room and their Matzo Ball Soup define true comfort food! There is so much flavor that is sure to satisfy your tastebuds — from the chicken broth, onion, and carrots to the bay leaf and peppercorns. It’s truly one of our absolute favorite soups. They have been featured in South Jersey Magazine for their sandwiches, but their hidden gem is their Matzo Ball Soup, and we had to try it. The Kibitz Room is conveniently located at The Shoppes at Holly Ravine on 100 Springdale Road, so we encourage you to visit for a warm cup of soup this season.
Flavorful Soup from Moorestown
With deep historical roots, Moorestown located in Burlington County, is home to approximately 20,000 residents and was initially settled in the early 1680s. In the following hundred years, Quakers settled in the area building two highly ranked local schools in 1785, including the well-known Moorestown Friends School. The current Main Street follows a ridge that was occupied by the Lenni Lenape Native Americans and is listed on the National Registry of Historic Places. Today, you can find local shops and restaurants all along Main Street.
We were excited to visit Maurizio’s Bistro, a family-owned restaurant located on Main Street in Moorestown and has become a staple for fine Italian food. Known for their welcoming atmosphere, diners here can expect first-class service accompanied by the most delicious dishes! One of their featured soups, Pasta Fagioli which means “pasta and beans,” is a traditional Italian dish. This must-try soup is rich in flavor and brimming with hearty fillings that will please any appetite. It is served with crostini on the side – the perfect companion for dipping!
After learning more about the history of Campbell’s and the amazing soup restaurants in our own backyard, National Soup Month feels even closer to home. Connecting the community with amazing local places was a delicious endeavor. We look forward to sampling more soups as the weather gets colder. If you have a favorite soup place that we missed, we would love to hear about it!
More of Our Favorites
Haddonfield:
Crumb – Roasted Tomato + Fennel, Organic Mushroom, Butternut Squash
The Bistro at Haddonfield – French Onion
Saxby’s – Rotating Soup Selection
Spice C – Wonton Soup Szechuan Style, Brisket Beef Soup
Valente’s – Lobster Bisque
Audubon:
Simply Soups & A Little More – All their soups
LesbiVeggies – Potato Leek Soup
Moorestown:
The Pie Lady Cafe – Homemade Soup Daily
The Cubby Hole – Homemade Soup Daily
Luna y Sol – Crab Bisque
Oriental Pearl – Hot & Sour Soup, Wonton Soup
Collingswood:
Haddon Culinary – Rotating Selection, Haddon Ave Chili
Sabrina’s – Mum Mum’s Chicken Noodle
The Pop Shop – Tomato, White Chicken Chili
Circles Thai – Lemongrass, Coconut Milk
Cherry Hill:
Pho Barclay – Pho Noodle Soup
The Farm & Fisherman Tavern – Minestrone
Norma’s – Lentil Soup, Harrira Soup