5 Different Soup Bowl Types

The soup bowl is more than just a vessel; it's an integral part of the culinary journey. The way you present your soup can either elevate or diminish the experience. This article delves into the five types of soup bowls and how each type lends itself to various soups and occasions. Come along on our journey through the fascinating realm of soup bowls.

The Basics: Understanding the Bowl Universe

Setting out on the adventure of soup bowls means delving into the essentials, recognising various types and dimensions, and mastering the craft of choosing the ideal bowl for distinct soups.

The Three Fundamental Types of Bowls

  • Shallow bowls:

These bowls typically have a wider opening and are not deep. Shallow bowls are the choice for smooth, blended soups like veloutés or bisques. Their wide surface area allows quicker soup cooling, preventing the palette from experiencing extreme heat. Their design showcases the soup’s texture and garnishing. It’s an aesthetically pleasing choice and encourages even distribution of ingredients with every spoonful.

  • Deep bowls:

Deep bowls, as the name suggests, have more depth than width. These bowls are preferred for chunky, hearty concoctions like meat stews or vegetable chowders. Their depth helps to retain heat, ensuring the last bite is as warm as the first. Deep bowls allow ingredients to pile up, ensuring a mouthful of varied ingredients with every bite, enhancing the taste and experience.

  • Wide bowls:

These are broader bowls that allow soups with multiple ingredients to spread out. Wide bowls are best suited for soups with many flavours and textures, like Asian noodle soups or seafood bouillabaisse. These bowls enable each ingredient to have its own space, providing a visual treat and ensuring that the diner gets a bit of everything in every spoon.

Understanding Bowl Sizes

  • Small: These bowls typically hold around 150 to 250 ml. Small bowls are ideal for light soups, broths, or starters. Think of clear chicken soup or a consommé. They control portion size, ensuring that diners have space for subsequent courses. Moreover, they provide an elegant presentation of delicacies.
  • Medium: Medium bowls can contain around 250 to 500 ml. These are perfect for hearty soups with chunky ingredients like minestrone or lentil soup. They offer a fulfilling quantity without being too much, ensuring a satisfying yet balanced meal.
  • Large: These bowls typically hold more than 500 ml. Large bowls are the best choice for serving family-sized portions or meals in one dish, like a spicy ramen bowl. They allow for communal sharing and are ideal for family gatherings, ensuring everyone gets their hearty share.

Determining the Perfect Bowl for Your Soup

Choosing the suitable bowl for your soup is not just about aesthetics; functionality also plays a pivotal role.

  • Texture Matters: The texture of your soup, whether smooth, chunky, or a mix of both, will determine whether you should go for a shallow, deep, or wide bowl.
  • Ingredients Play a Part: If your soup has varied ingredients that need its spotlight, a wide bowl can do justice, whereas a deep bowl can be great for thick, chunky mixtures.
  • Serving Size: Considering the quantity is essential. You wouldn't serve broth as a main course in a small bowl or a rich, creamy soup in a large one.
  • Visual and Gastronomic Perception: The bowl you choose will influence the diner's perception of the soup. A well-chosen bowl can elevate the soup's presentation, making it more inviting and enhancing its perceived flavour.

By understanding the universe of bowls, one caters to the taste buds and the visual appetite, ensuring every soup is a delightful experience.

Unveiling the 5 Soup Bowl Marvels

The world of soup bowls is as vast and varied as the delicious soups they contain. Let's embark on a journey that unveils five distinctive soup bowl marvels, each with unique attributes and purpose.

  • Lug Soup Bowl


Lug Soup Bowls, named for their prominent 'lugs' or handles on either side, merge practicality with elegance. These handles make it easier to grip, especially when the soup is piping hot.

This bowl serves soups rich in texture and flavour, such as thick chowders or creamy bisques. Their design allows for easy stirring and scooping.

When it comes to maintenance, this bowl is straightforward to maintain since it is dishwasher-safe. Avoid sudden temperature changes to prevent cracks. Hand wash with mild detergent, and occasionally check the handles for any signs of wear or damage.

Should You Buy These?

Consider getting some lug bowls if you are a fan of thick chowders or creamy bisques (or any other thick, brothy type). Thanks to the side handles, they are made to last and are easy to carry around.

  • Soup Plates


Soup plates, often mistaken for shallow bowls, have a broader brim and a moderate depth. Their flatter profile makes them suitable for broths with few solid ingredients. 

These plates are great for clear broths, lightly textured soups, or soupy pasta dishes. Their broad brim also allows for garnishing and presentation flair. 

Their balance between depth and width means ingredients spread out more, making it easier to scoop up a bit of everything in each bite. Their design can make the dining table appear more refined.

Should You Buy These?

As previously said, Soup bowls are often for formal use, implying they can be expensive in most circumstances. If you want to have them, you should buy them. Aside from the price, there is almost nothing else to be concerned about.

  • Coup Soup Bowls


Coup Soup Bowls are typically rimless, with smooth, upward-slanting sides, providing a minimalist and modern appearance.

These bowls are perfect for elegant and refined soups, like veloutés or pureed vegetable soups. Their design complements the creamy consistency of such soups.

Their sophisticated design makes them ideal for formal dinners or special occasions, adding an elegant touch to the dining experience.

Should You Buy These?

Coupe soup bowls can be great for everyday home use. Coupe bowls can be a great choice if you are looking to buy something fancier than soup dishes or as thick and hardy as lug soup bowls.

4.) Covered Soup Bowls

As the name suggests, these bowls come with a cover, adding a touch of drama to the presentation.

Covered Soup Bowls are perfect for retaining the heat and aroma of the soup. Consider soups that would benefit from a dramatic surprise, such as a truffle-scented mushroom soup or a spicy tom yum soup.

The cover keeps the soup hot for a more extended period and adds an element of surprise to the dining experience. Also, certain aromatic soups benefit immensely from this, as the aroma is trapped and then released upon lifting the cover, providing a sensory treat.

Should You Buy These?

If you frequently have to wait long after getting your soup ready and before eating it, you should buy some covered soup bowls. Soups are best when they are hot.

5.) Soup Mugs

These are mugs tailored for soup, often with a handle, merging the comfort of mugs with the utility of bowls.


Soup mugs are great for casual, comforting meals — perfect for personal servings of tomato soup or even chunky stews.

Due to their casual vibe, you can get creative with toppings, perhaps a dollop of cream, a sprinkle of herbs, or some croutons. They're also great for enjoying soup on a cold day, wrapped in a blanket.

Should You Buy These?

It's nice to have a couple of these in your kitchen, although they are used sparingly at dinner and lunchtime. These soup mugs are perfect for lounging on the balcony on rainy days and sipping hot soup while pondering beautiful thoughts.

Soup's Grand Finale: Choosing Your Bowl is Half the Feast!

As we've swirled, sipped, and savoured through the delightful universe of soup bowls, it's evident that soup isn't just about the recipe but the presentation. Your chosen vessel speaks volumes, shaping your culinary experience from the first glance to the last slurp. Grasping the nuances of types and sizes is pivotal – the difference between a mundane meal and an orchestrated dining symphony.

Whether you're aiming for the elegance of a Coup Soup Bowl at a black-tie dinner or the snug comfort of a Soup Mug on a chilly evening, your bowl sets the tone. The suitable bowl amplifies the flavour and accentuates the dining ambience. Whether you're marvelling at the depth of a Lug Soup Bowl or savouring the informal allure of a Soup Mug, each has its distinct narrative.

But remember, every soup has its soulmate in the form of a bowl. From the depth and texture to the ingredients spread, your choice can crown your soup or undervalue it. The artistry lies in pairing the two harmoniously.

And for those curious souls yearning for the perfect blend of functionality and flair, Table Matters is your treasure trove. Dive deep into our eclectic collections, exploring not just bowls but an entire realm of soup bowls, rice bowls, serve bowls, ramen bowls, tableware sets, cutlery sets, cheeseboards, saucers, serveware, coasters, kitchenware, cookware, bakeware, drinkware, dinnerware, and many more that resonate with every culinary enthusiast. Because, in the end, dining is an experience, and every detail, no matter how small, matters. Cheers to elevating every meal, one bowl at a time! So, what are you waiting for? It's time to soup up your dining experience!
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