Mouthwatering Matzo Ball Soups In New York City
Matzo ball soup is the epitome of comfort food and a staple at many Jewish delis and diners around the city!
This classic dish can be as hearty or as light as youd like, and while they all may look the same the flavors can differ plenty! The texture of the matzo ball itself has to be perfectly spongy, and the broth rich and savory. With passover coming up its only fitting to take a look this week at some of the exceptional matzo ball soups made around the city. Whenever youre craving this delicious soup, be sure to check out 10 of our favorite bowls of matzo ball soup in NYC.
Jewish Girls From Nyc: The Best Matzo Ball Soup In La
Update: 2 Jewish Girls from NYC is no longer in business!
Matzo balls can be found anywhere in LA. Although I was born in NY and spent countless summers there, it wasnt until I moved to LA that I had my first matzo ball soup. Its one of my favorite dishes to order when I want something comforting or when Im feeling under the weather. I just love it.
In January 2021, two Jewish girls from NYC, Jaime Lauren, former contestant on culinary TV shows such as Top Chef, and her partner Jessica Mei Gershen, an independent filmmaker, producer and writer, started selling quart jars of matzo ball soup out of their house in Mount Washington they sold out every time.
Jaime was born and raised on the Upper East Side and Jessica grew up in various parts of Westchester. The matzo ball soup recipe was passed down to Jessica from her father and grandmother.
They serve the matzo ball soup in 32 oz Mason jars, a smart choice because the airtight seals keep all the flavors inside versus a styrofoam container. They dont have an email but they update everything on , from the upcoming pop-up locations to their current stock of matzo ball soup.
I was lucky that on a Friday, they happened to do a pop-up at Saras Market in East LA, serving it hot! I drove 40 minutes from Beverly Hills and it was worth every mile.
*This was a complimentary meal
When did you move to LA?
Jamie: I moved to LA in the summer of 2010 from San Francisco.
What are your favorite restaurants in LA?
The Best Places In Nyc For Matzah Ball Soup
A classic comfort food, matzah ball soup is a simple staple for a delicious side or a hearty meal. The delicate textures and steaming broth will warm you up from this fall’s first chill. New York City is a prime spot to find generations-old recipes crafted from tradition and labors of love.
We list your first stops next time you’re craving quality matzah ball soup.
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Sinkers Or Floaters: Heres What You Need To Know
Serious Eats / Daniel Gritzer
Some people like dense, heavy matzo balls. Some people like light, fluffy ones. The important thing to understand is that your preference here influences not just the texture, but also the flavor of the matzo balls.
Dense matzo balls taste more of the matzo itself . Light matzo balls have more air pockets, and are therefore able to absorb more broth, which means they will taste more of the broth. The lightest matzo balls will taste almost entirely of broth, with a very subtle matzo flavor. Personally, I like a middle ground where the matzo ball manages to retain some of its own identity while absorbing enough liquid to be infused with moisture and brothy flavor.
Bagel Emporium & Grille
1238 S Dixie Highway / Wesbite
Top-rated in Miami for its delicious bagels and deli sandwiches, this Coral Gables spot is open seven days a week for breakfast and lunch, whether you want to dine in or carry out. Besides bagels, their varied menu offers delightful items like sandwiches, lunch entrees, including lasagna and roast turkey, smoked salmon, and tasty side dishes. You will find delicious matzo ball soup and other soup varieties like chicken noodle, mushroom barley, etc. A must-try in Miami.
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The Best Matzo Ball Soup In New York City
Enjoy the best Matzo Ball Soup delivery in New York City with Uber Eats. Enter your address to browse the restaurants and shops offering Matzo Ball Soup delivery near you, then start comparing your options. Once youve placed your Matzo Ball Soup order online or via the Uber Eats app, you can track its arrival.
Extra Flavor: Choosing Your Poaching Medium And Seasonings
Serious Eats / Daniel Gritzer
Okay, now we get down to the wire. Its matzo-ball cooking time and we have some options. Lets start at the beginning: Matzo balls are served in chicken broth. For a really nice presentation, that broth should be clear, not cloudy. Yet matzo balls have a tendency to make the liquid theyre poached in cloudy. If you dont care about that, go ahead and poach directly in the broth youre going to serve.
If you do care about the broth not being cloudy, though, you have to choose between poaching in an entirely separate batch of broth , or using water. Does it matter?
You bet it does!
Matzo balls are nothing more than spherical sponges, and the lighter and airier they are, the more effective they are at soaking up fluid. Cook matzo balls in water, and youre going to end up with watery, bland matzo balls. I know, because I tried it. Even if you cook them in water and then give them a nice long soak in broth before serving, they still end up with much less flavor.
If theres one hard-and-fast rule Ill stand by for good matzo balls, its that they need to be cooked in chicken broth. The richer and more flavorful that broth is, the betterthis is not a time for store-bought stock. Start by making a big batch of good chicken stock. You can use that stock as your soup base, but for an even more intense flavor, take the stock and poach a whole chicken in it with even more aromatic vegetables. Then strain that out .
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Matzo Ball Soup In Midtown West
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New York City Matzo Ball Soup Delivery And Pickup
With Uber Eats, you can enjoy the best Matzo Ball Soup New York City offers without ever having to leave your home. The places that offer Matzo Ball Soup for delivery or pickup may vary depending on your New York City delivery address so be sure to check out which spots offer delivery to home, work, a friends housewherever it is that you may want to enjoy some delicious Matzo Ball Soup. If youd rather get your Matzo Ball Soup order yourself, see if there are any businesses in New York City offering pickup.
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Can I Open The Pot
Ive read a few recipes that plead with the reader not to uncover the pot at all while the matzo balls simmer, lest some terrible fate befalls them. I was skeptical, so I set up three pots, one of which I left uncovered the whole time, one of which I opened every ten minutes or so during the hour-long simmer, and one that remained covered the entire time.
Below are my results. From left, we have the always-covered matzo ball, then the frequently uncovered matzo ball, and finally the never-covered matzo ball.
Serious Eats / Daniel Gritzer
As you can see, the matzo ball that was never covered failed to swell as much, and developed an unsightly brown color where it was exposed to air. Clearly, matzo balls need to be covered.
But I saw no significant difference between those matzo balls that were cooked covered the entire time and those that had their lid lifted during the cooking process. As far as I can tell, theres not much risk to uncovering the pot for short periods if you desperately feel the need to peek inside.
Sarges Delicatessen & Diner Murray Hill
If youre looking for a no-frills matzo ball soup, head to Sarges. Their version of the dish is simple and goes back to the basics. And the one fun difference about this diner that sets it apart is the ability to add a matzo ball to some of the other soup items on the menu, making it one of our favorite places to get matzo ball soup in NYC!
Where: 548 3rd Ave.
When: Monday-Wednesday 10a.m. 11p.m., Thursday-Friday 9a.m. 11p.m., Saturday-Sunday 8a.m. 11p.m.
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Serving Matzo Ball Soup
Because we dont want to boil the luscious stock we worked so hard on, the matzo balls are cooked in a separate pot of boiling water and then transferred to the warm stock. Youll also add a few carrots and the shredded chicken, if youre using it. Once the carrots have softened a bit, ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with some fresh dill and freshly ground black pepper.
Would it be easier to order some matzo ball soup from the deli? Sure. But this way is much more rewarding and, in my opinion, way more delicious. Matzo ball soup, you have my whole heart forever.
Russ & Daughters Multiple Locations
The amazing matzo ball soup at Russ & Daughters is made to perfection. The classic dish is made with bits of both light and dark meats along with chopped carrots and a sizable matzo ball.
Where: LES 127 Orchard St. / East Village 179 E Houston St. / Brooklyn Navy Yards 141 Flushing Ave.
When: Monday-Sunday 8a.m. 4p.m. / Thursday-Monday 8:30a.m. 3p.m. / Monday-Sunday 8a.m. 3:30p.m.
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The Fat: Do You Need Schmaltz
Serious Eats / Daniel Gritzer
The Jews of Northern and Eastern Europe had a fat conundrum: They were living in a land of butter and lard, but couldn’t use those ingredients in much of their cooking. Rendered poultry fat, from chickens, ducks, and geese, became a staple of their kitchens. The fat, known as schmaltz, is, in its most basic form, just that: rendered poultry fat. Often, though, onions are also added to the rendering process for flavor, then strained out along with the gribenes before use.
My preferred method for making schmaltz is to save up a bunch of chicken fat, storing it in the freezer until I have a healthy amount the more tender globules found around the neck and at the entrance to the chicken’s cavity are best, but skin works too. Then I chop it up, put it in a saucepan with a little water, and cook it, stirring frequently, until most of the fat has liquified with little crispy bits of fat and skin floating in it and the water long gone. I add sliced or chopped onion towards the end for flavor . Then I strain it out. I get about one cup of rendered fat from three-quarters of a pound of skin and fat, though yields will vary depending on the ratio of skin to fat.
Schmaltz was certainly the typical fat in the matzo balls of the Old World, and many cooks still swear by it today. Today, though, vegetable and canola oils are often used for convenience. So, just how important is that chicken fat?
Serious Eats / Daniel Gritzer
Matzo Ball Soup Delivery In New York City
Order Matzo Ball Soup for delivery or pickup from a local restaurant or shop in New York City. Compare your options for Matzo Ball Soup delivery then place your order online.
Jacks Wife Freda West Village
B& H Dairy Kosher Vegetarian Restaurant
Empanada Mama LES
The Original Mee Noodle Shop & Grill
Mortons The Steakhouse
Dim Sum Go Go Chinatown
Benares Tribeca
Senzas Gluten Cafe and Bakery
Ming Wong Restaurant
Just Salad 100 Maiden Ln
Juice Press
Auntie Guans Kitchen West Village
Bodhi Kosher Vegan and Dimsum
Nara Sushi
Aroy Dee Thai Kitchen FiDi
Mole Mexican Bar & Grill West Village
Top Thai Thai Halal Food
Claw Daddys
Crab Du Jour First Ave
Dallas BBQ East Village
Evas x Cinco de Mayo
Farida Central Asian Cuisine & Grill
New Double Dragon East Village
The Sabieng Thai East Village
Thai Terminal East Village
The China Star East Village
Sweet House Drinks and Desserts
Westside Market NYC
Philippe Chow 355 W 16th St
Mango Mango Dessert East Village
New Mikado Sushi
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Pastrami Queen Multiple Locations
Pastrami Queen has been a New York favorite since 1956in fact, Anthony Bourdain has said their pastrami sandwich is the first thing he would get when hed come back to New York after traveling. Their pastrami isnt the only thing thats good though, as customers have also been raving about their matzo ball soup for years.
Where: UWS 138 W 72nd St. / UES 1125 Lexington Ave.
When: Monday-Sunday 10a.m. 9p.m.
Bens Kosher Delicatessen Restaurant Multiple Locations
Bens Kosher Deli serves up a matzo ball soup that customers cant get enough of. Their recipe is simple and straight to the point, but that certainly does not make it any less delicious!
Where: Bayside 211-37 26th Ave. / Midtown 209 W. 38th St.
When: Sunday-Thursday 11a.m. 8:30p.m., Friday-Saturday 11a.m.-9p.m. / Monday Sunday 11a.m. 8p.m.
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What Is Matzo Ball Soup
Matzo Balls are dumplings made up of matzo meal, eggs, and schmaltz , which are typically served in chicken soup and a staple for a lot of Jewish holidays.
There are a lot of Matzo Ball Soup recipes out there some insist on the the Matzo balls be cooked in water, while others cook them in the soup. Ive even heard of the matzo balls being cooked in seltzer water. Matzo Balls made with chicken fat or vegetable oil, homemade chicken stock or store bought, and some would never dream of putting noodles in their soup like I do. Its all a matter of preference.
While Matzo Ball Soup is a traditional recipe to serve for Passover and Hanukkah, you can make it any time during the year. Its wonderful during the chilly months or when youve got a bad cold. I promise youll feel better. It really is like medicinethe best tasting medicine.
Heres The Best Matzah Ball Soup In New York City
Matzah ball soup, aka Jewish Penicillin, knows how to soothe the soul. Its like a hug from your grandma or the imaginary Jewish Grandma you wish you had. Some like their soup heavy with herbs and vegetables, some like to add noodles and a few tiny matzah balls, and some like giant tennis ball-sized spheres of matzah smack in the middle of their bowl. We dont discriminate all options get the job done.
Like most comfort food, matzah balls taste the best when theyre made from scratch . And since New York City is pretty much the home of Jewish comfort food, here are the best matzah ball soup options in the big city for when youre in search of some cozy relief.
A post shared by Shungo Saito on Aug 28, 2017 at 9:34pm PDT
This Murray Hill staple has a lot of history, and its a go-to destination for all of your matzah ball soup, corned beef, pastrami and knish needs.
Where to get it: 162 E 33rd St, New York, NY 10016
A post shared by Caroline Bonynge on Aug 10, 2017 at 11:17am PDT
No explanation necessary here. Katzs is an institution known for its colossal corned beef and pastrami sandwiches, but the matzah ball here is equally worth the trip. Grab a ticket and get in line with the rest of the world.
Where to get it: 205 E Houston St, New York, NY 10002
A post shared by PaulaBHankin on Jan 14, 2017 at 8:31am PST
Where to get it: 1125 Lexington Ave #2, New York, NY 10075
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Tips For Making A Good Best Matzo Ball Soup Nyc Even Better
my favourite matzo ball soup nyc is the best Ive ever had. Its the one Ive been making since I moved to New York. Its got such an authentic taste to it, and its so much better for you. Its got a little bit of a kick to it, which is always a good thing.
The great thing about matzo ball soup nyc is that it requires no cooking or chopping.
Its made with a very simple recipe that I learned from my sister. The only thing you really need to do is add as much matzo as you can and then you can top it with more matzo, or maybe even a little onions.
The best part about it is that its made with matzo ball, so you dont have to worry about it sticking to your hands. That makes it great for making soup, and it also gives it an authentic taste, but it also makes it a bit bland.
The other great thing about the soup is that it is a vegan soup. So you can have it if you want, but its delicious.
Also the soup is topped with matzo balls, which is a great way to spice it up a bit.
Its made with matzo ball, so you only need one bowl, and thats it. Also, it is vegan, and the soup is sweetened with maple syrup, which means the sweetness makes it more than just a bit bland.
Im always on the look out for a vegan version of a dish that is just slightly bland. I need to make sure Im getting the real deal. This one is definitely a keeper.
