Every State’s Favorite Soup

When the air turns crisp and the days grow shorter, there’s one sound that never fails to soothe — the gentle simmer of soup on the stove. Whether it’s a pot of chicken noodle bubbling away on a Sunday afternoon or a steaming bowl of miso at a late-night restaurant, soup is comfort you can hold in your hands.

To see what Americans reach for when they crave warmth, Mountainside Music Academy analyzed Google Trends data to uncover the most searched soup in every U.S. state. The results are a flavorful reflection of our tastes, traditions, and the ways we find comfort as the weather cools.

The Most Popular Soup in Every State

Across the country, each region has its own soup of choice — and those preferences often reflect local culture and climate.

Midwest: Chicken noodle soup was the most common favorite across states like Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Ohio, and Utah. The classic mix of chicken, noodles, and broth reflects the region’s love of hearty, homemade meals.

Northeast: Minestrone was especially popular in Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island. The tomato-based soup, filled with beans, vegetables, and pasta, is a staple of cold-weather cooking and a nod to the area’s Italian-American influence.

South: Wonton soup topped searches in Georgia, Maryland, and Virginia. Its lighter broth and savory dumplings match the region’s warmer climate and mix of global flavors.

West: Miso and egg drop soups led searches in states like California and Washington. Both are simple, broth-based options that fit the West’s wellness-focused dining habits.

Some states stood out with unique favorites:

• Maine – Seafood chowder

• Pennsylvania – Italian wedding soup

• Washington – Split pea soup

• Arkansas, North Dakota, South Dakota – Cream of mushroom soup

Overall, comfort looks different across the map — shaped by climate, culture, and what each region knows best.

The Nation’s Top-Searched Soups

At the national level, chicken noodle soup remains America’s undisputed favorite, topping searches in 10 states. From cold remedies to comfort rituals, it’s the kind of meal that feels medicinal in the best way.

Wonton soup and French onion soup followed closely behind, each leading in six states. One is light and soothing — paper-thin wrappers in a delicate broth — while the other is indulgent, with caramelized onions under a bubbling layer of cheese. Together, they capture the balance between simplicity and richness that defines the nation’s tastes.

Minestrone, chicken and rice, and matzah ball soup rounded out the top contenders — soups that tell stories of heritage and home, from Jewish delis in New York to small-town diners in the Midwest.

Closing Thoughts

Each state’s favorite soup offers a glimpse into what comfort means across the country — hearty and homestyle in the Midwest, light and restorative out West, and full of flavor in the South. The patterns show that what we crave often reflects where we live and how we grew up.

At Mountainside Music Academy, we value that same sense of connection and tradition. Our instructors help students build confidence and creativity through lessons shaped by care and consistency.

As the season changes, it’s a great time to find your rhythm again — and warm up your voice with voice lessons in Boulder at Mountainside Music Academy.

Methodology

To determine each state’s favorite soup, Mountainside Music Academy analyzed Google Trends data for 30 types of soup across all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The soup with the highest relative search interest in each state was designated its “favorite.” Results were also grouped into four U.S. Census regions to identify broader culinary trends. Data was collected in October 2025, reflecting searches from the past 12 months.

Fair Use

You are welcome to use, reference, and share non-commercial excerpts of this study with proper attribution. If you cite or cover our findings, please link back to this page so readers can view the full methodology, charts, and context.