Nursing Back to Health With Satisfying Soups

I‘ve been under the weather for about two weeks now, battling a bad case of the sniffles and an outrageous cough that won’t seem to go away no matter what I do. Per doctor’s orders, I’m on antibiotics and a variety of other over-the-counter cold medicines. Needless to say, all I want to do is sleep, and honestly I don’t really have an appetite, believe it or not. As the editor of Dining Out, that could be considered blasphemy, right? But the show must go on! No rest for the weary!

This week, Ono readers, I bring to you all things soup — my food of choice when a nasty cold strikes. Filled with nutrients, soup is exactly what my body needs to nurse it back to health.

So, if you’re one of those joining me in the chorus of coughs and are under the weather as well, treat yourself to a steaming hot bowl of remarkable soups available at the following Ono, You Know establishments.

Wahoo’s Fish Taco

With exactly one week left until Christmas, I can safely say that the holiday weight gain has officially begun. Oh well, in the spirit of the holidays, I guess packing on a few pounds can be easily forgiven. Yet, Wahoo’s Fish Taco at Ward Gateway Center and Kahala Korner offers a healthy dining option without sacrificing taste!

Owners Stephanie Gambetta and Noel Pietsch brought this California-based chain to the islands in 2006, and has been serving healthy, guilt-free “California-Mex” cuisine ever since. Known for its bounty of tacos, burritos, salads, combo platters and more, Wahoo’s feeds all appetites.

“One of the healthiest items on our menu just happens to be Chicken Tortilla Soup,” Noel says.

And it was exactly what I needed! With only 84 calories (without tortilla strips), this zesty entree features a bowl full of piping hot vegetable broth, filled to the brim with a medley of ingredients such as tomatoes, onions, jalapenos, cilantro, fresh garlic and, of course, savory chunks of chicken.

“The jalapenos give the soup a kick — it’s really good, but surprisingly a lot of people aren’t aware that it’s on our menu,” Noel exclaims. “The soup also has 19 grams of protein.”

And if you think soup in itself isn’t filling enough — think again. This dish will have you feeling satisfied and ready to snuggle under the covers as winter approaches.

Million Restaurant

Let’s count the reasons why we love Million Restaurant, shall we? First off, if you’re seeking out some of the best Korean food on the island, then you’re in luck — this family owned and operated establishment serves up a level of Korean authenticity that’s inevitably hard to come by. Sisters Cindy and Angela Park opened the doors to the eatery on Sheridan Street in 1989, and the restaurant has remained a staple for both locals and tourists alike.

And on these cooler days, Million has one-of-a-kind soup options to warm up your palate and soothe any sore throat, including a soup and kal bi combo ($21) — a match made in heaven.

“The Spicy Buckwheat Noodle Soup and Kal Bi is a favorite combo,” Cindy says. “The Kal Bi comes to your table on a sizzling platter and each piece is very tender.”

Now, I’m not your pickiest of eaters, to say the least, however, Million’s Mountain Goat with Sesame Leaf Soup ($16.95) had me putting on a brave face. Having never set my taste buds on morsels of goat before, I can honestly say I was quite apprehensive, but much to my delight Cindy was quick to put me at ease.

“The Mountain Goat with Sesame Leaf Soup also is a unique item here, but our customers seem to like it,” she says. “We use our own special broth, along with mountain goat meat, green onion, sesame leaf and a bit of spices. This soup is great for your health, especially for women.”

The eatery also serves up a delicious seaweed soup that comes with many of its featured entrees. Open daily from 11 a.m. to midnight, it’s an absolute whirlwind of flavors here at Million Restaurant.

JJ’s Bistro & French Pastry

Executive chef and owner JJ Luangkhot’s award-winning cuisine is dressed to the nines, as he blends exotic European flavors with local and Asian flair. Known for his sweetest of masterpieces, ranging from the famous Chocolate Pyramid, to the Chocolate Banana Confit, Chocolate Lilikoi and more, Luangkhot undoubtedly knows how to satisfy every sweet tooth.

Yet, when the common cold has got you down, soup is the wonder drug when it comes to feeding your appetite. JJ’s Bistro & French Pastry, along with his second establishment Le Cacao Bistro on Waialae Avenue, helps bring you back to life when under the weather with its delicious Sweet Corn with Crab Meat Soup ($3.50) and Khang Laos Soup ($3.25-$3.75) available for lunch and dinner.

The Sweet Corn and Crab Meat soup is my personal favorite, as morsels of sweet corn are intermixed with tasty pieces of tender crab meat, swimming in a thick, creamy chicken broth, seasoned to perfection with hints of salt and pepper.

“The crab meat alone is flavorful so it doesn’t need very much seasoning,” says Luangkhot, a native of Laos. “For something different, many people enjoy the Khang Laos, a Laotian favorite,” he adds.

This soup consists of tamarind broth seasoned with lemon grass and kaffir lime, mixed with your choice of chicken ($3.50), seafood ($3.75) or vegetables ($3.25). If you’re a seafood fanatic, your mouth will water as you feast on spoonfuls of salmon, scallop and shrimp. If you’re a vegetarian, you’ll also love how Luangkhot will cater the soup to your liking with sweet pieces of baby corn, tomatoes, zucchini and spinach.

Treat yourself to a bowl of JJ’s wonderful creations, and I promise you’ll be back to health in no time!