Railway Style Tomato Soup is a nostalgic, hearty, flavour-packed tomato soup once served in old Indian railway canteens. It is known for its bold spices, tangy-sweet profile, and wholesome, comforting taste perfect for winter evenings.

What is Railway Style Tomato Soup?

Railway Style Tomato Soup is a rustic tomato-based soup made with onions, beetroot, spices, and herbs. It is simmered slowly to extract deep flavour and is balanced with sweetness, heat, tang, and richness. It has a distinct home-style charm that sets it apart from smooth, restaurant-style cream soups.

Main Ingredients of Railway Style Tomato Soup:

1. Green Chilli – 2 to 3
   
   
2. Turmeric Powder – (Not used in this recipe)
   
   
3. Red Chilli Powder – Kashmiri Red Chilli Powder 1 tsp
   
   
4. Fennel Powder – (Not used)
   
   
5. Zeera Powder – Cumin Powder ½ tsp
   
   
6. Coriander Powder – 1 tsp
   
   
7. Dry Mango Powder / Lemon Juice – Juice of ½ lemon
   
   
8. Salt – To taste
   
   

What Is So Special About Railway Style Tomato Soup?

This soup stands out because of its unique blend of whole spices, beetroot for colour, and the addition of coriander roots for earthy depth. The balance of ketchup, spices, butter, and lemon juice creates the iconic sweet-tangy-spicy profile that made it a railway classic.

Meyer Bauhaus Nonstick Stockpot with lid, 24 cm

Quick and Easy Railway Style Tomato Soup:

This recipe is simple and hassle-free ,just sauté, simmer, blend, and temper. You get an authentic railway-style soup in under 30 minutes using everyday pantry ingredients.

How to Make Railway Style Tomato Soup

1. Heat oil in a pot and add bay leaf and black cardamom seeds.
   
   
2. Add garlic, ginger, and green chillies; sauté until fragrant.
   
   
3. Add chopped onions and cook until translucent.
   
   
4. Add beetroot, tomatoes, and chopped coriander stems/roots.
   
   
5. Season with salt and powdered spices: Kashmiri red chilli, coriander powder, cumin powder, and white pepper.
   
   
6. Pour in hot water as required and simmer until vegetables soften completely.
   
   
7. Blend the mixture until smooth and strain for a silky texture (optional).
   
   
8. Transfer back to the pot, add ketchup, sugar, lemon juice, and adjust salt.
   
   
9. Finish with butter and a pinch of chaat masala.
   
   
10. Serve hot with crispy breadsticks.
    
    

Expert Tips

1. Add beetroot sparingly ,it enhances colour without overpowering flavour.
   
   

2. For extra richness, finish with a dollop of butter or a splash of cream.
   
   

Recipe Card

Railway Style Tomato Soup

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Category

Soup

Servings

4

Prep Time

10 minutes

Cook Time

20 minutes

Calories

180

A nostalgic Railway Style Tomato Soup with bold Indian flavours, a vibrant colour from tomatoes and beetroot, and a comforting sweet-tangy-spicy balance. A quick and easy winter favourite.

Author:

Samridh

Ingredients

• Oil – 1 tbsp
• Bay Leaf – 1
• Black Cardamom – 1
• Garlic – 6–7 cloves
• Ginger – 2 inch
• Green Chilli – 2–3
• Onion – 2 (roughly chopped)
• Beetroot – ½
• Tomato – 5 (roughly chopped)
• Coriander Roots & Stems – a handful (roughly chopped)
• Salt – to taste

Powdered Spices

• Kashmiri Red Chilli Powder – 1 tsp
• Coriander Powder – 1 tsp
• Cumin Powder – ½ tsp
• White Pepper Powder – ¼ tsp

Others

• Hot Water – as required
• Ketchup – 3 tbsp
• Lemon Juice – juice of ½ lemon
• Chaat Masala – a pinch
• Sugar – 2 tbsp
• Butter – 2–3 tbsp
• Salt – if required
• Breadsticks – for serving

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Directions

1. Heat oil, add whole spices and aromatics.

2. Add vegetables and powdered spices.
3. Add water and simmer until soft.
4. Blend and strain.
5. Add ketchup, sugar, lemon juice, butter, and chaat masala.
6. Serve hot with breadsticks.

Recipe Note

Adjust the sweetness and tang to your preference. Straining the soup gives it a classic railway-style smoothness, but you can skip this step for a heartier texture.