The best soup in town

I have found that soup is a rarity on the menus of this my city. Many places do not serve any and those that do have a very narrow selection, but my efforts finally paid off when I went to dusitD2 along Riverside Drive and Nairobi Java House at Valley Arcade (shopping centre). PHOTO | NATION

What you need to know:

  • I do not know if Kenyans prefer to masticate for nutrition or if food service providers don’t see it as profitable, but I have found that soup is a rarity on the menus of this my city.
  • Many places do not serve any and those that do have a very narrow selection, but my efforts finally paid off when I went to dusitD2 along Riverside Drive and Nairobi Java House at Valley Arcade (shopping centre).
  • My next find was unexpected. Nairobi Java House has just two soup options on their menu, and while I have been there countless times, it has never crossed my mind to try them.

What could a five-star boutique hotel and a coffee house franchise possibly have in common, beyond the fact that they both provide food to their patrons?

No, not the best grade coffee but a more wholesome treat that is perfect for the cold and wet which have descended on Nairobi. Having lost the fight against the recent chill filling the spaces in my house, I decided to hit various city spots in the search of soup that could make me feel human again.

I do not know if Kenyans prefer to masticate for nutrition or if food service providers don’t see it as profitable, but I have found that soup is a rarity on the menus of this my city. Many places do not serve any and those that do have a very narrow selection, but my efforts finally paid off when I went to dusitD2 along Riverside Drive and Nairobi Java House at Valley Arcade (shopping centre).

Soko at dusitD2 provides modern, chic interior installations which are sure to remind any customer that their meal will not come cheap.

The staff are incredibly warm and well trained giving recommendations where your decisiveness falters and assuring you they know what they are doing. This is something every establishment should aim to achieve. I eventually decided on the cream of mushroom, a choice which no lover of food (unless allergic to one of its ingredients) would regret.

Thickened with Parmesan cheese, barley and cream, this exotic flavour was enhanced by a generous sprinkling of emmental crust. Originally from Switzerland, this savoury cheese with its massive holes is not commonly found in Nairobi, and I was well impressed by its addition.

Three baked cheesy delights accompanied the soup which sat in a bowl on a sterling white oblong platter; all very fancy which is the least one could wish for considering the prices of Soko’s offerings.

My next find was unexpected. Nairobi Java House has just two soup options on their menu, and while I have been there countless times, it has never crossed my mind to try them.

The fixed option sounded dull, so I requested to know what the chef’s soup of the day was and was charmed to hear it was chicken and cheese.

Served in a deep plate with two butter-grilled baguette slices, the soup had a more than generous amount of lightly grilled chicken fillet bits. This made me infinitely happy. I am not a chilli person, but the sting of the red bullet peppers was thankfully tempered by the melted cheddar cheese, creating the perfect balance between spiciness and edibility. Soy sauce, garlic and onions were added for a fuller flavour.

Three days. Two excellent kinds of soup. One happy man. I have found a way to fight this weather!