Flu Shot Soup

A couple weeks ago my boyfriend had the flu. I was going to get some Vietnamese Pho Soup for him on my way home from work, but my co-worker said, “you know, there’s a Thai Restaurant in Denver that makes a soup called, The Flu Shot Soup, you should go there!”

“Um, no I didn’t know anything about a Flu Shot Soup. Where is it? What’s in it?” This sounded like a potential Healthy Discovery and of course I was intrigued.

A Google search and 20 minute drive later I arrived at Taste of Thailand right across the street from Swedish Medical Center. I snapped a picture of the banner hanging above the front door.

 

I got some take-out soup for my guy and I’ve gone back several times this winter to enjoy more of this DELICIOUS soup that’s good for the immune system.

Noy Farrell, owner of The Taste of Thailand opened her restaurant in 1994. She grew up in Thailand and when she moved to the U.S. she began teaching traditional Thai cooking classes. Her restaurant was a natural extension of her cooking and The Flu Shot Soup has been a popular tradition on her menu every October through March.

The soup is comprised of a rich broth, packed with chicken dumplings (not gluten free) and vegetables often taken from Noy’s garden just hours before. Noy makes five gallons of soup every day to serve her customers.

The Denver Westword wrote an article about Noy’s Flu Shot Soup in 2009 and said,

“There are people in town who swear by this stuff, who attribute it to near-mystical powers. Doctors and nurses from Swedish Medical Center fire it down fast, often settling into the dining room still dressed in their scrubs.”

The fresh ingredients: garlic, ginger, chili peppers, celery, carrots, leafy greens, cilantro and herbs boost and strengthen your immune system during the cold winter months.

As many of you know, when I find Healthy Discoveries I love sharing my find(s) with others, so I called Noy and asked her to come to The City of Lakewood, where I work as the Employee Wellness Coordinator, and sample her soup to the employees.

She graciously agreed and she was thrilled that I asked.

Noy and her husband Rick served their Flu Shot Soup to approximately 90 employees today. It was a huge success. The employees loved the spicy, homemade, vegetable rich soup.

 

 

 

Noy gave a quick talk about how fresh, real food is central to the Thai culture. She passed around fresh lemongrass that she grows in her garden and it smelled heavenly! She gave us tips for using fresh herbs and vegetables in our own cooking.

As Noy (foreground) and Rick (background) packed up and were leaving Noy said, “This was really fun, do you think other Cities, companies would bring us in to talk about real food and share our soup?”

“It really just depends on the company, director, wellness culture.” I said. “But I will do what I can to spread the word. The more we can bring fresh, local, real food into businesses the better.”

If you are a wellness director or HR manager in Denver I highly recommend contacting Noy. She is a delightful person and her fresh Flu Shot Soup is phenomenal. If you live in Denver or plan to visit in the wintertime you must check out Taste of Thailand, it’s one of my new favorite Healthy Discoveries!

Taste of Thailand

504 E. Hampden Ave.

Englewood, CO 80113

303-762-9112