Soup — is it a meal or not?

Thanks to an Episode of Seinfeld I think I now know the answer

During it’s run as the most popular sitcom of its era (possibly of all time depending on how much of a Simpsons fan you are) Seinfeld pulled few punches. They had episodes about a masturbating contest, giant balls of oil and even a cockfighting rooster named little Jerry Seinfeld. But throughout it’s 9 season run, the show always found a way to come back to food more often than not. The quote above comes from a scene with Jerry and Kenny Bania. The scene is set around the two of them having dinner at the swank restaurant Mendys. Jerry’s demeanor throughout the scene is one of utter annoyance, since the only reason he’s out with Kenny in the first place is because he gave him a “brand new Armani suit” for which he never wanted. Jerry’s distaste for the fledgling comic Bania goes without saying throughout the show’s entire run. The scene below showing the two characters is by far their high point.

By taking Kenny out to Mendys the transaction of goodwill between the two should be complete, yet all Kenny orders is soup. Having eaten a hot dog earlier, he’d like to delay the transaction for another time. Noticeably irritated by his choice, Jerry reiterates, “No, no Bania, this is the meal, the soup counts”.

But does it?

“Soup’s not a meal” is the central argument between these two fictional characters, but in real life how we eat and view soup as a society might be different.

This idea of soup (is it a meal or not?) and it’s relevance within all our lives struck me when I asked a few friends of mine a week ago what would their last meals be before they died. Many responded with stock answers like steak, pizza or turkey dinner. But one friend of mine threw us all for a curve when he said “chicken broth”.

I was dumbfounded.

Why chicken broth? His answer was that it was the most satisfying and flavorful food item known to man. Really? I had to wonder. Still scratching my head, perplexed by my friend’s answer, I got to thinking.

Is soup our best meal? And if so, why?

Personally, I believe as a society we aspire to greatness. We want to travel to Mars, cure all forms of disease and live in peace in harmony. We’re a group of wannabe perfectionists; it’s in our nature, and it’s what makes us great. This same aspiration for greatness can also be applied to how we view our love of food. We’re obsessed with going out for nice dinners, eating fancy desserts and drinking the best wines. We collect food memorabilia, watch shows about great chefs and drink lavish cocktails. Food is our daily obsession, and whenever it boils down to how simple food is, soup always ends up at the center. Every society on the planet has its own versions of soup, and whether it’s Ramen, Pho or Borscht, we all love it and we all do it differently.

But when looked upon as our greatest food achievement, soup never seems to come out on top. Here then I need to ask: if soup is so popular worldwide and found in so many forms, why is it not considered a meal?

Honestly, I blame its age. Originating some 20,000 years ago, soup took form as a liquid of boiled flavours from meat or fish, vegetables and water. Not much has changed since then, and it’s this simplicity that has me thinking. We slave over the nuances of creating the most elaborate creations. Our palates are so refined now that by searching for the most unique flavours we forget that what we really want is, well…soup. It’s always been about soup and it always will be about soup.

When we’re sick, we want soup. When it’s cold out, we want soup. When it’s raining, we want soup. When we’re hung-over, we want Ramen — well I do. When we eat bread we want soup. Soup’s ability to change with the seasons and our moods enables soup to deliver to us the greatest of all food sensations — comfort. It’s found on practically every food menu out there. We don’t have food kitchens for the homeless; we have soup kitchens. Soup and sandwich is our best duo. We live and die by soup.

By telling the waiter he wanted soup Kenny wasn’t just implying he wasn’t that hungry, what he really was saying was that “y’know what, even if I’m full I’ll gladly eat me some soup.” If it had been anything else, Jerry would have relented, but in this case all he could say was “Alright! Get the soup!”

In the end, I may not have agreed initially with my friend’s choice to have “chicken broth” as my last meal. But, the more I think of what he said the more it makes sense. Soup is the one food that always leaves you satisfied and happy, and if you’re gonna go out, it’s not a bad meal to end things with I must say. In my opinion, that in itself should make it a meal.

I believe the Soup Nazi would agree with me here as well.

Whether you consider soup a meal or not, it isn’t going anywhere, and really, that’s all that matters.