How Do You Take Your Soup?

When it comes to soup, there is an ongoing debate about whether one drinks or eats it. While it makes for a great conversation and back-and-forth banter-like argument, there are clear answers that defend each side.

Dictionary Definitions

According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, “to drink” means “to take liquid into the mouth and swallow it.”

And, “to eat” means “to take in through the mouth as food: ingest, chew, and swallow in turn.”
 

So, when it comes to soup, you can technically both drink and eat it.

Drink Soup

Yes, you can drink soup.

Drinking means you take it in a cup in which you hold in your hands and swallow the liquid directly into your mouth. This applies to clear broths or consommé.

Eat Soup

You can also eat soup, too.

Eating means you serve it in a bowl and use a spoon to chew the contents. This applies to minestrone, noodles, etc.

In some Asian cultures, you drink soup because you pick up the bowl and drink in the liquid. However, the moment you use a spoon or any utensil or chopstick to consume the broth and chew the contents, you are eating.

But wait, you have to choose one side of the debate!

Okay, fine. If you must choose one side of the argument: You eat soup.

Most dishes have ingredients and content to chew such as noodles, vegetables or protein. Therefore, that means you are eating soup.

 
 
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