German’s Soups Opens New, Larger Space in NYC Crown Heights
Opened in 1960, the original German’s Soup in Guyana’s capital of Georgetown is one of the country’s most iconic and popular dining spots. In 2018, the son of Hubert “German” Urling Sr., Clinton Urling, brought German’s Soup to a small storefront in Brooklyn’s East Flatbush, where it quickly became a popular destination for Guyanese Creole cooking, which highlights the diversity of the country’s population with influences from Africa, India, the Caribbean and China.
German’s Soup Cowheel, Chicken & Beef soups from top left by Michael TulipanHaving outgrown its location, German’s Soup just reopened in a new larger space in Crown Heights, marking the 60th anniversary of the original, which is still serving everyone from local workers to the country’s political elite.
With a larger kitchen, Clinton also expanded the menu and added new items like popular Guyanese snacks pholourie and egg balls, roti flatbread and sweets like Mittai (fried cinnamon pastry sticks) and squares of Milk Fudge.
The Creole dishes are based on closely guarded recipes handed down from Clinton’s father. Five nourishing soups are built on a slow cooked yellow split pea base and loaded with meat, plantains, corn and more, making them heartier than broth-based soups – their signature Cowheel Soup, Chicken Foot, Chicken, Beef and a Vegetarian option are always on offer.
New snacks include Pholourie, fried spiced dough balls served with mango sour chutney, and Egg Balls, hardboiled eggs covered in crushed yuca with sweet peppers and parsley, then fried – similar to a Scotch egg.
Mains showcase the country’s ethnic diversity with a rotating selection of curries and stews with a choice of fried rice, raisin rice or plain, plus lowmein and roti flatbread.
Snapper and chicken come either stewed or curried, alternating during the week but both preparations available on weekends. The popular BBQ Chicken is best paired with fried rice. Beverages include house-made Mauby, a fermented drink made from the bark of the Mauby tree with sugar and spices popular all over the Caribbean.
Traditionally fermented in small batches, it’s now typically sold commercially as non-fermented soft drink or syrup to mix with water – at German’s it’s made from scratch.
The restaurant is open for delivery via Uber Eats, Postmates, Seamless and Grubhub and takeout with limited indoor dining starting September 30.
German’s Soup is now located at 410 Utica Avenue, Crown Heights, Brooklyn, NY; 718-513-0376; www.germanssoup.com.
Hours: Monday – Thursday 10:30am – 8:30pm, Friday – Saturday 10:30am – 9pm and Sunday 10:30am – 7:30pm.
