A good bowl of soup can make a meal feel complete. The flavour of the broth, the freshness of the ingredients, and the balance of spices all contribute to the experience. A well-prepared soup may look simple, but it takes care and attention to bring every ingredient together.
Across Asian cuisines, soup is an important part of everyday meals. Chinese soups often accompany other dishes, while Taiwanese noodle soups can be enjoyed as a complete meal. From light broths to rich, flavourful noodle bowls, each soup offers a different combination of ingredients and cooking techniques.
San Diego has several Asian restaurants serving traditional soups alongside modern Asian dishes. In the Del Mar area, Zen Modern Asian, located inside Sky Deck at 12841 El Camino Real, offers a selection of soups inspired by Chinese and Taiwanese cooking. Its menu includes classic favourites and hearty noodle soups prepared with a focus on flavour and fresh ingredients.
Here are four Asian soups worth trying on your next visit.
Egg drop soup is a familiar choice at many Chinese restaurants. It is made with broth and beaten eggs, which create soft, silky ribbons as they cook. Although the ingredients are simple, the quality of the broth and the way the eggs are prepared can make a noticeable difference.
At Zen Modern Asian, the egg drop soup offers a smooth broth with a light, comforting texture. The eggs are added to create delicate ribbons throughout the soup, giving each spoonful a balanced combination of broth and egg.
The soup is a good choice if you prefer something light before your main course. It can also complement a larger meal without making it feel too heavy.
Priced at $7, it is one of the more affordable options on the menu. If you are exploring different dishes, this soup is a simple way to start your meal.
For more ideas on choosing dishes, read this guide on what to order at an Asian restaurant.
Hot and sour soup is known for its combination of tangy flavour, gentle heat, and savoury ingredients. A good version balances these elements without allowing the spice or sourness to overpower the broth.
At Zen Modern Asian, the soup combines a rich broth with silken tofu, mushrooms, bamboo shoots, scallions, and egg ribbons. Each ingredient adds a different texture. The tofu is soft, the mushrooms bring an earthy flavour, and the bamboo shoots provide a slight crunch.
White pepper gives the soup its warmth, while vinegar adds the characteristic sour taste. Together, these ingredients create a flavourful bowl that works well as a starter or as an accompaniment to a main dish.
At $7, hot and sour soup is an affordable option for anyone who enjoys a combination of tangy and spicy flavours.
If you are looking for hot and sour soup near you in San Diego, this dish is worth considering. You can also pair it with dumplings for a more filling starter.
Wonton soup is a popular Chinese dish made with dumplings served in a savoury broth. The wontons usually contain a seasoned filling wrapped in a thin layer of dough. Some versions keep the ingredients simple, while others include additional meat and vegetables.
Zen Modern Asian offers two options: standard Wonton Soup and Wor Wonton Soup. Understanding the difference can help you choose the right bowl for your meal.
Priced at $8, the standard Wonton Soup includes house-made pork wontons, barbecue pork, spinach, and a savoury broth.
The combination of delicate wonton wrappers and seasoned pork filling makes this a suitable choice for diners who prefer a lighter soup. The additional ingredients bring more flavour to the broth without making the dish too heavy.
It works well as a starter or alongside other dishes shared at the table.
The Wor Wonton Soup costs $19 and offers a more substantial meal. It includes house-made pork wontons, shrimp, chicken, barbecue pork, spinach, mushrooms, bamboo shoots, and egg ribbons in a savoury broth.
With its combination of meat, seafood, vegetables, and wontons, this soup offers more variety in every serving. It is a good option for diners who want a filling bowl rather than a small starter.
When exploring wonton soup in San Diego, consider how much you want to eat and whether you plan to order other dishes. The standard version suits a lighter meal, while the Wor Wonton Soup can be enjoyed on its own.
You can also read more about Asian comfort food in San Diego to discover other dishes inspired by traditional Asian cooking.
Taiwanese beef noodle soup is a well-known dish in Taiwan. It combines noodles, tender beef, vegetables, and a flavourful broth seasoned with ingredients such as soy sauce, ginger, star anise, and chilli bean paste.
Preparing this soup involves bringing several flavours together. The beef needs time to become tender, while the broth develops its characteristic savoury taste. The noodles must also hold their texture when served in the hot liquid.
At Zen Modern Asian, the Taiwanese Beef Noodle Soup includes noodles, slow-braised beef, bok choy, cilantro, and scallions. The broth brings together savoury notes and warming spices, while the beef adds richness to the dish.
You can also add pickled vegetables for $1. Their tangy flavour provides a contrast to the rich broth and adds another layer of taste to the meal.
At $23, this is the most expensive soup on the menu. However, its combination of noodles, beef, vegetables, and broth makes it a substantial option for lunch or dinner.
The dish also reflects the restaurant's connection to Taiwanese cooking. Head Chef Henry Yang was born in Taiwan and has more than 40 years of cooking experience across Taiwan, Thailand, and China.
To learn more about the people and experience behind the menu, visit the restaurant's story and chef information page.
You can also explore this guide to Asian fusion versus traditional Asian cuisine to understand how traditional dishes fit into a modern Asian restaurant menu.
Choosing the right soup depends on your appetite and the other dishes you plan to order. Some options work well as starters, while others are filling enough to serve as a complete meal.
Here are a few ways to plan your order at Zen Modern Asian.
If you are dining with friends or family, sharing different dishes can help everyone try more items from the menu. You can check the full menu before your visit to plan your meal.
The restaurant is located inside the Sky Deck in Del Mar. If you are planning to visit on a Friday or Saturday evening, consider making a reservation in advance.
Zen Modern Asian also offers private events and catering for group gatherings and special occasions.
Asian soups offer a range of flavours, textures, and meal options. Egg Drop Soup is a simple choice for a light start, while Hot and Sour Soup combines tangy and spicy flavours. Wonton Soup provides a familiar Chinese favourite, and Taiwanese Beef Noodle Soup offers a more filling meal with noodles, tender beef, and a rich broth.
If you are exploring Asian soups in San Diego, these four options at Zen Modern Asian provide a good starting point. Your choice will depend on whether you prefer a light starter, a flavourful broth, or a complete noodle meal.
Next time you visit the restaurant, consider trying a soup you have not ordered before. It may become one of your new favourites.
Experience the harmony of flavors at Zen Modern Asian Bistro — where Asian tradition meets modern innovation.