The 7 Best Soup Spoons of 2023

Perfect for broths and noodles, these tools are worth a spot in your drawer

By
Irvin Lin
Irvin Lin
Irvin Lin
Irvin is a critically acclaimed cookbook author and food blogger. His cookbook "Marbled, Swirled, and Layered" was chosen as one of the best baking cookbooks of 2016 in the New York Times.
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Updated on 03/14/23

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Nothing beats a hot bowl of soup when it’s cold outside. It’s pure comfort food for most folks. Soups range from all-American chicken noodle, Italian minestrone, or New England clam chowder to traditional Asian noodle soup like Japanese ramen, Vietnamese pho, or Malaysian laksa.

But the experience of eating soup can vary depending on the soup spoon you are using, as not every soup spoon is made the same. Some are too small, making it frustrating to eat, while others are too large, as if you’re wielding a ladle to your mouth. Asian noodles soups are often served with a specific type of Asian soup spoons with tall sides that are ideal for noodles, dumplings, and other large fillings that you commonly find in Asian soups.

We consulted with experts and did the research to find the best soup spoons—western and Asian-style—for the ideal soup-eating experience. Our favorite spoons boasted high-quality materials, great value, and attractive design.

Our Top Picks
Best Overall:
Artena Soup Spoon at Amazon
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Best Value:
DOWAN Ceramic Asian Soup Spoons at Amazon
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Best Melamine:
Hiware Melamine Soup Spoon at Amazon
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Best Wood:
Faay Teak Soup Spoons at Amazon
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Best Western-Style :
Robert Welch Kingham Soup Spoon at Williams-Sonoma
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Best Vintage Design:
Wing on Wo & Co. Hand-Painted Spoons at Wingonwoand.co
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Best for Ramen:
Gohobi Handmade Soup Spoon at Etsy
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In This Article

Best Overall

Artena 6.75-Inch Solid Asian Soup Spoon

Artena 6.75 inch Solid Asian Soup Spoon

Amazon
View On Amazon
What We Like

  • Generous sized bowl

  • Comes in an array of colors

  • Dishwasher safe

What We Don't Like

  • Porcelain, so not as durable as metal

  • Doesn’t sit flat when laid on table

The Artena porcelain soup spoon is a great versatile Asian-style soup spoon that still functions well for western-style soups, cereal, and stews. It has a generous-sized bowl to hold soup broth, as well as noodles, xiao long bao, vegetables and other fillings that the soup might have. The hook on the top of the spoon also keeps it from falling into the soup when you place it inside the bowl, since it hooks over a bowl's lip.

The spoon comes in an array of colors, including white, black, blue, teal and green. The spoon is dishwasher safe, making clean up super easy. They also stack easily in your cabinet, simplifying storage of them. And a set of six is very reasonably priced.

Price at time of publish: $18

Material: Porcelain ceramic | Dimensions: 6.75 inches | Pieces in Set: 6 | Dishwasher Safe: Yes

What Our Experts Say

“A spoon is the most intimate object you can engage with while eating. Because it goes directly in your mouth, unlike any other utensil, the shape, texture and mouthfeel of your spoon is very important. With Asian soups you want something that can go deep into the bowl, and not get too hot to hold or put in your mouth.” — Ken Albala, Professor of History, University of the Pacific

Best Value

DOWAN Ceramic Asian Soup Spoons Set

Ceramic Soup Spoon

Amazon
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What We Like

  • Large set of 12

  • Lightweight yet durable

  • Dishwasher safe

What We Don't Like

  • Smaller than other spoons

  • No hook at the end

Made from bone china, a highly durable porcelain ceramic, these soup spoons are a bargain since they come in a set of 12. Clean utilitarian white, they are also very lightweight, less than an ounce each. They are slightly smaller than other soup spoons and don’t come with a hook at the end to prevent them from falling into the soup. But with a dozen of them floating around the kitchen, you can always grab another clean spoon from the kitchen drawer if the one you’re using falls into the bowl.

The flat bottom also makes these ideal for appetizers, with the large set being a great option for dinner parties as well. The spoons themselves won’t stain or impart any odd tastes to the soup or dish, and they’re dishwasher, microwave, and refrigerator safe.

Price at time of publish: $17

Material: Bone china porcelain | Dimensions: 5.3 inches | Pieces in Set: 12 | Dishwasher Safe: Yes

Best Melamine

Hiware Melamine Chinese Won Ton Soup Spoon

12 PACK Asian Soup Spoons, Rice Spoons, Melamine Chinese Won Ton Soup Spoon For soba, pho, ramen, Noodle, Korean Style Large Spoon with Long Handle- Notch and Hook Style, Red ＆ Black

Amazon
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What We Like

  • Graphic colors with red inside and black outside

  • Notch allows you to prop spoon on rim of bowl

  • Flat bottom sits on table surface

What We Don't Like

  • Handle is slightly shorter

  • Melamine isn’t as durable as metal and can stain over time

If you’re looking for a durable Asian-style soup spoon that isn’t ceramic, consider this melamine soup spoon. The graphic red inside and contrasting black outside look striking in a bowl of ramen or pho. The deep bowl of the spoon allows you to ladle up noodles, dumplings, or any other solid item in your soup. And the notch and hook on the spoon provide two different methods of preventing the spoon from sliding into the broth.

The flat bottom of the spoon also means you can place it on a tabletop and serve appetizers and bites with it, making this spoon a versatile utensil. Melamine is durable and dishwasher safe, less prone to breaking than porcelain, so this spoon will last a while in the kitchen.

Price at time of publish: $12

Material: Melamine | Dimensions: 6.25 inches | Pieces in Set: 12 | Dishwasher Safe: Yes

What Our Experts Say

“Chinese-style soup spoons tend to have a flat bottom and raised edges. They're perfect for eating something like wonton noodle soup because the spoon can hold broth along with the dumplings and/or noodles. That way, when you're slurping up the food from the spoon, you can get a good amount of broth and solid food in the same bite.” — Lisa Lin, founder of Healthy Nibbles

Best Wood

Faay Teak Soup Spoons

Faay Teak Soup Spoons

Amazon
View On Amazon View On Walmart
What We Like

  • Handmade

  • Each piece is unique

  • Wood is finished with coconut oil only (no glue or lacquer)

  • Lightweight

What We Don't Like

  • Hand wash only

Wooden soup spoons have their pros and cons. They won’t heat up in soup (which means you won’t burn your mouth as you sip) and will eventually compost back down when disposed of, but they are sometimes less durable than other materials like stainless steel and ceramic. These spoons from Faay, however, are made of teak wood, one of the hardest and strongest woods available.

The spoons are handmade in Thailand and feature a wide spoon head, perfect for soups with noodles and dumplings. They're also free from any glues or lacquers—only finished with coconut oil. Since they're made by hand, each spoon is unique, with the grain pattern and color ranging from darker to a light golden brown. The only downside is that they're not dishwasher safe and should only be washed by hand.

Price at time of publish: $13

Material: Teak wood | Dimensions: 7 x 4 x 0.75 inches | Pieces in Set: 4 | Dishwasher Safe: No

Best Western-Style

Robert Welch Kingham Soup Spoon

Robert Welch Kingham Soup Spoon

Havenly
View On Williams-Sonoma View On Havenly.com
What We Like

  • 18/10 stainless steel

  • 25-year warranty

  • Dishwasher safe

What We Don't Like

  • Must be bought individually, does not come in a set

  • Mirror finish will eventually show scratches

This soup spoon is a classic, understated utensil with a shiny, mirror-like finish that comes from hand polishing each piece. The spoon has an excellent balance in your hand with a generous round wide bowl, and the timeless design looks beautiful next to any bowl of soup or stew. The spoon was designed by Robert Welch, an award-winning British designer, and is built to last a lifetime. 

The 18/10 stainless steel material means it is made of an alloy of iron, chromium, and nickel, with the 18 referring to approximately 18 percent chromium and 10 percent nickel. The chromium and nickel in the steel prevent the spoon from rusting and also helps preserve the luster and beauty of the spoon. It's also fairly neutral and won’t impart a metallic taste to your soup. The spoons are dishwasher safe and come with a 25-year warranty.

Price at time of publish: $7

Material: 18/10 stainless steel | Dimensions: 7 inches | Pieces in Set: 1 | Dishwasher Safe: Yes

What Our Experts Say

“I am pro-18/10 stainless steel for all dining utensils. It is long-lasting, has a sturdy feel to it, and is resistant to rust and corrosion, which is important for items that come into frequent contact with hot liquids.” — Michele Di Pietro, founder of Mangia with Michele and author of "SOUPified: Soups Inspired by Your Favorite Dishes"

Best Vintage Design

Wing on Wo & Co. Hand-Painted Spoons

Hand painted Spoon

Wing on Wo & Co.
View On Wingonwoand.co
What We Like

  • Hand-painted spoons

  • All unique and individual

  • Durable porcelain

What We Don't Like

  • Vintage patterns are unique, so no matching or replacing broken ones

  • Hand wash only

If you’re looking to invoke an old-school Chinese restaurant vibe on your next table setting, check out Wing On Wo’s hand-painted spoons. These Asian-style spoons are all different and unique, with hand-painted intricate patterns. A lot of the delicate patterns and designs are no longer being produced, which means once they sell out of the spoon, it’s gone forever.

The spoons are reasonably priced for vintage pieces, and they’re all mix-and-match. When you order them for shipping, there’s no way to specify which spoon you want. But since all of them are beautiful, that shouldn’t be a problem. Just make sure not to run them through the dishwasher or microwave, as they’re not suitable for either.

Price at time of publish: $5

Material: Porcelain | Dimensions: Not specified | Pieces in Set: 1 | Dishwasher Safe: No

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Best for Ramen

Gohobi Handmade Soup Spoon

Handmade Soup Spoon

Gohobi
View On Etsy
What We Like

  • Handmade ceramics

  • Deep bowl in spoon

  • Sits on table with flat bottom

What We Don't Like

  • Pricey per spoon

  • Handmade means actual spoons may vary from photos

When shopping for ramen spoons, you want one with a deep bowl that can hold the noodles and that hooks to the top of the bowl rim so it doesn’t fall into the broth. And, hopefully, the spoon will also look attractive. This Japanese-style ceramic spoon is handmade in China from Jingdezhen city, which is known as the “porcelain capital” because it’s been producing Chinese ceramics for over 1,000 years.

This beautifully crafted Asian-style spoon with a deep bowl and tall sides has a milky white glaze that shows some slight speckling from the iron-rich clay underneath. The curve of the handle not only lets the spoon rest on the rim of the bowl but also rest on the tabletop balancing against the flat bottom, making them look great on a table next to the bowl of ramen and a pair of chopsticks. 

Price at time of publish: $13

Material: Ceramic | Dimensions: 5.8 inches | Pieces in Set: 1 | Dishwasher Safe: Yes

What Our Experts Say

“Asian soup aren’t spoons that you put your entire mouth around. They are spoons that you can load up with goodies (Noodles! Toppings! Broth!) and slurp from. When buying, you want to hold them in your hand to consider weight. Also set one in a bowl to see if it sits well. Some are shorter than others. Some are lighter than others. They don’t look and feel the same.” — Andrea Nguyen, James Beard Award-winning cookbook author of "The Pho Cookbook" and founder of Viet World Kitchen

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Final Verdict

Whether you want to eat soup or cereal, the Artena 6.75-Inch Solid Asian Soup Spoon will make a great addition to your kitchen. While it's a splurge, the impressive quality of the Gohobi Handmade Soup Spoon means it'll be in your kitchen for years to come.

What to Look for When Buying a Soup Spoon

Materials

Spoons come in various different materials, including metal, ceramic, melamine, plastic, mother-of-pearl, wood, and even eco-friendly rice husk, bamboo, and other plant-based materials. Each material has strengths and weaknesses, with the most common ones including metal and ceramic.

Ceramic can be a little less durable than metal but doesn't warm up as much in hot soup. The glazing on ceramic spoons is very neutral and won’t impart any flavor at all to the soup. Bone china and porcelain tend to be stronger and lighter in weight, while stoneware and earthenware can be cheaper and sometimes has a more rustic or earthy look.

Design

Since everyone is different, there is no perfect spoon for everyone. Test the spoon out by holding it in your hand and see how balanced it is. Check to make sure the spoon isn’t too big or too small and can handle the right amount of liquid and solids that you prefer when eating the soup.

Western-style spoons come in various different sizes from petite smaller sizes to larger round spoons, sometimes referred to as a bouillon soup spoon. Asian-style spoons come in bigger and smaller sizes. They also often come with a hook or a notch (or both) to prevent the spoon from falling into the broth. And, of course, choose a spoon that looks aesthetically pleasing and fits in with your cutlery and your own sensibilities.

Practicality

Make sure to pick a spoon that fits into your lifestyle. If you are busy person, a spoon that is dishwasher safe might be a high priority. If you have a small kitchen or a small household, a spoon that stacks or nests would be best for easy storage. Consider the practicality of what to do with the spoon when it’s not in use, before making a choice.

FAQs

What are the specific names for East Asian soup spoons?

East Asian-style soup spoons are often referred to as Chinese spoons, Chinese soup spoons, or Asian-style spoons. In Japan and Japanese culture, they are also called a renge, which is a shortened for the Japanese word chirirenge. Chirenge translates to fallen lotus petal, which refers to the spoon shape.

How do you eat dumplings with flat-bottomed spoons?

Most East Asian-style spoons are flat-bottomed. And though they are ideal for Asian noodle soups, they can be used for a lot of other things. Many folks use them to eat dumplings, especially xiao long bao (Chinese soup dumplings). These dumplings are filled with liquid soup inside and are often served in a bamboo steamer basket.

The common way to eat them is to pick them up gently with a chopstick and place them in a flat-bottomed spoon to eat, letting the spoon catch any liquid soup that spills out from the dumpling. But Chinese spoons are great for all sorts of dumplings, as you can dip the dumpling into a sauce and then use the spoon to catch any drips as you eat it.

What else can you use flat-bottomed spoons for?

Flat-bottom spoons can also be used for serving appetizers. Dinner parties or restaurants will often serve an amuse bouche or a single-bite appetizer in Asian-style spoons, as they hold the individual appetizers well and stand on the table on their own. Next time you have a dinner party, or a fancy buffet dinner, consider a set of flat-bottomed spoons to serve your guests the first course.

How We Researched

To compile this list, our team of editors and contributors spent hours researching the best soup spoons on the market, evaluating their key features—like material, design, or price—in addition to reviews from customers. We also reached out to experts like Lisa Lin of Healthy Nibbles and Andrea Nguyen of Viet World Kitchen for guidance.

Why Trust The Spruce Eats

Irvin Lin, is a cookbook author of "Marbled, Swirled, and Layered" and an ongoing contributor to The Spruce Eats and Simply Recipes. He runs his own blog Eat the Love and is a professional recipe developer and writer. He grew up eating tons of Asian noodle soups as well as congee, a rice porridge, using Chinese spoons. His go-to comfort food is soups and stews and has accumulated a lot of spoons in his kitchen cabinet.

Sources

The Best Soup Ladles: Tested and Approved
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