Too busy for solid food? Poor you. BK samples eight instant soups.

Now that rainy-season showers are far behind us and (fingers crossed) cool weather has kicked in, it’s time to temporarily leave hamburgers and cheesy fries for the joys of a bowl of warm soup. For those who are too lazy or time-poor to scout around for the homemade kind, these instant soups offer a convenient alternative. But will any of these ready meals pass the taste test? BK curls up on its ratty old sofa to try them out.

1. Batchelors: Tomato & Vegetable with Croutons, B128

What it says: The label says this “soup to go” is imported from Norfolk, England. It comes in a blue cup, so you can sip the soup directly from the container. 83kcal with 1.4g fat.
What we say: Light (if not watery) tomato soup that tastes somewhat like a non-alcoholic Bloody Mary from a bar that doesn’t know a thing about cocktails. Not enough croutons. It’s more sweet than sour—perfect for your anti-veggie nephews. But costs the same as five bowls of kuay tiew.

2. Campbell’s: Mushroom Classic with Pasta, B52

What it says: Campbell’s claims its classic mushroom soup is MSG-free and loaded with vitamins B1-3, calcium and iron. For B52 you get three sachets in a box, providing 85kcal of energy and three grams of fat per serving.
What we say: If, for you, “classic” means rich and creamy, Campbell’s mushroom soup might be a let-down. However, if you prefer your soup light and smooth, this one is for you. The pasta is well cooked. Too bad there is more pasta than mushrooms. On the plus side: this tasty soup goes great with a baguette.

3. Erasco Heisse Tasse: Spargel Crème, B57

What it says: From the photo on the box (and if you don’t understand German), you might think that “spargel” is spinach. But look closer and you might notice the cute little white asparagus tips poking up into the frame. Three packets of cream soup served with croutons, 311kcal each.
What we say: Only serious veggie lovers will enjoy the overpowering grassy smell of this soup. Fortunately, it doesn’t taste as bad as it smells. We love its creamy texture, though we can’t really taste the asparagus. Kudos to the croutons, which didn’t go soggy, even while we waited for the soup to cool off.

4. Health Valley: Creamy Potato with Broccoli, B98

What it says: Heath Valley prides itself on being a healthy, fat- and cholesterol-free choice. The creamy potato soup is also said to be high in fiber and bigger—35% more soup— than other leading brands. 160kcal.
What we say: You may want to divide the soup powder into two cups, there’s so much of it. We didn’t, and the result was a mushy glob that looked like baby food, with so much fiber that it’s liable to make your stomach start gurgling while you’re eating it. The taste was so “healthy” that we wanted to add some butter to it. Or cheese. Or motor oil. 

5. Heinz: Broccoli and Cheddar, B89

What it says: The purple sachet of this “weight watchers’” soup includes tagliatelle pasta, providing 124kcal with 3.5 grams of fat.
What we say: It takes a while until the tagliatelle is properly cooked, so this might not be a good choice if you are starving. The weak link is the cheddar cheese, which overpowered every other flavor in the soup. But if you can get over that, this sauce-like liquid goes great with a baguette.

6. Lipton: Hearty Chicken Noodle, B98

What it says: Though its slogan is “cup-a-soup,” Lipton’s Hearty Chicken Noodle comes in a packet (60kcal, three sachets/box). The box says this soup is “warm, soothing and satisfying” for your relaxing break.
What we say: The clear broth was light and familiar in a home-y way, as it tasted almost like the soup in a packet of instant noodles, except that this has less MSG. Though it says it’s a hearty choice, there are not enough noodles, so you might want to add an egg or a pack of Mama if you want a substantial meal.

7. Otago: Shitake Mushroom, B50

What it says: No MSG, no preservatives, cholesteral or fat. A box includes five small envelopes—each provides as little as 20kcal.
What we say: There was plenty of Japanese-style seaweed and carrots that looked fresh and came in chunks. But we were disappointed that the “shitake” turned out to be Chinese mushrooms. The soup was also watered-down and weak. For weight watchers only.

8. Vono: Corn Crème, B8

What it says: Not much advertising or propaganda on this simple yellow sachet.
What we say: Far too sweet for our taste, but your nieces will love it. And it’s dirt cheap!