Kalakeitto or fish soup has been a staple of traditional Finnish cuisine for a long time. Although there are numerous ways to prepare this classic Finnish specialty, it typically consists of cleaned and filleted fish chunks and diced vegetables that are simmered in a rich, buttery fish broth.

Carrots, potatoes, onions, and leeks are among the most common vegetables used for the soup’s preparation, while the choice of fish includes salmon, rainbow trout, vendace, pike, perch, zander, or burbot. Traditionally, the soup is enhanced with the addition of butter and cooking cream (ruokakermaa), and it is usually flavored with dill, allspice, bay leaves, salt, and pepper. 

Lohikeitto is a creamy Finish salmon soup, similar to laxsoppa in Sweden. Apart from chunks of salmon fillet, it traditionally incorporates diced potatoes and carrots cooked in a flavorful, buttery broth infused with fish stock and cream.

This comforting winter dish is generously seasoned with dill and served alongside buttered rye bread or lemon wedges.

Even though it has been traditionally prepared all along the coast, Cullen skink is a dish originating from the fishing village of Cullen in Northeastern Scotland. This thick and creamy fish soup is typically based on smoked haddock cooked with milk, leeks, onions, and potatoes which provide the filling bulk.

Some recipes specify the use of Arbroath smokies, although just about any smoked white fish will do. Cullen skink will go hand in hand with a glass of dry white wine, but to indulge in a true Scottish feast, try pairing it with Scotch whisky.

Traditionally associated with the regions of Kelantan and Terengganu, this flavorful Malaysian soup consists of rolled rice noodles served in a creamy fish broth. The noodles are prepared with a thin rice flour batter that is poured on a flat surface, steamed, and then rolled and sliced into bite-sized pieces.

The broth served alongside the noodles is made with coconut milk and creamy fish paste, and is usually seasoned with ginger, shallots, and garlic. The whole dish is complemented by various vegetables such as sliced cucumbers or green beans and is usually accompanied by spicy sambal. 

Encebollado is the national dish of Ecuador, a fish soup that is characterized by a large amount of onions. Very useful in curing hangovers, the dish is made with fresh tuna meat, cassava root, tomatoes, onions, coriander, and various spices. Tomatoes, onions, chili, coriander, and cumin form a pungent mix and a base for the soup, called sofrito, while pickled onions go either on top of encebollado or into it, giving it its name that is literally translated to onioned.

The soup originates from Ecuador's coast during the time when the fishers were out at sea and made the soup out of necessity. As they had some spices, and fresh fish was readily available, encebollado was created and became widely consumed throughout the country. 

The term canh chua cá encompasses various fish-based Vietnamese soups that are characterized by their combination of sweet, spicy, and sour flavors. The soups are usually made with a tamarind-based broth, and they typically include chunks of pineapple, tomatoes, okra, bean sprouts, or other vegetables.

Most varieties are prepared with catfish, but some versions include carp, snakehead fish, eels, or salmon. These soups are usually topped with cilantro and served with rice on the side.

Tapado de pescado is a flavorful Honduran specialty soup featuring ingredients such as white fish (snapper, haddock, bass), coconut milk, plantains, yucca, squash, yams, onions, and seasonings. The soup has a slightly sweet flavor due to the usage of coconut milk, and a creamy texture due to the richness of various vegetables.

Tapado de pescado is so popular that the indigenous Hondurans known as Garifunas usually sell it to tourists on local beaches.

The perfect blend of spicy, sweet, savory, and umami flavors, penang laksa is a popular Malaysian street food, originating from the north-western state of Penang. This hearty noodle soup is made with poached mackerel (or sardines), tamarind, lemongrass, and chili peppers as the base ingredients.

Other commonly used garnishes include ginger flower buds, pineapple slices, onions, mint, and shrimp paste (hae ko). But, regardless of all the specific recipes, the result is always a rich and strong-flavored dish that has earned the adoration of both locals and travelers alike. 

Caldillo de congrio is a hearty Chilean fish soup made with conger eel as its key ingredient. Chopped and cooked conger eel is usually boiled in water, creating a flavorful broth in the process. The broth and the eels are then combined with sautéed onions, garlic, tomatoes, carrots, and bell peppers.

Optionally, heavy cream can also be stirred into the soup. Caldillo de congrio is typically seasoned with salt and black pepper, and it is garnished with coriander, parsley, or scallions. This nourishing soup is traditionally paired with crusty bread and a glass of wine on the side.