Mulligatawny Soup

What is Mulligatawny Soup?

The name “Mulligatawny” comes from the Tamil words “milagu” (pepper) and “tanni” (water), which together mean “pepper water.” The original soup that inspired Mullugtwanny (Popular spelling: Mulligatawny) is called Rasam, a zesty, peppery-garlic consommé. This dish started as a simple, spiced broth in South Indian cuisine—light, nourishing, and packed with the bold flavours of black pepper and spices.

History of Mulligatawny Soup

When the British arrived in India, Mulligatawny soup evolved to suit Western tastes. Originally a thin vegetarian soup made with spiced water, it was transformed into a heartier dish with the addition of meat like chicken or lamb, along with vegetables, lentils, and rice. It became a more filling and complete meal. We credit the British for introducing this flavourful soup to the world, making it a global favourite for its unique and bold taste.

Mulligatawny Soup Recipe at Classic Indian

At Classic Indian, Chef Thiru took inspiration from the British version of Mulligatawny and added his own twist (hence the unique spelling, Mullugtwanny). He created a plant-based, hearty soup made with moong and masoor lentils (yellow and red), a variety of vegetables such as cauliflower, leeks, and celery, and, of course, crushed black pepper. In 2004, the Heart & Stroke Foundation recognized our recipe and awarded it the prestigious Heart Healthy Award.

Mulligatawny-soup
Since then, our guests have asked for a bottled version they could enjoy at home with ease. That’s how Thiru’s Gourmet was born. We started bottling our soups and selling them directly to our guests. Today, you can find our soups in retail stores across Southern Ontario, or you can order online for home delivery from Waterloo to Whitby at Thiru’s Gourmet. We also participate in various tradeshows and farmer’s markets, from Windsor to Ottawa. Most recently, in 2024, Thiru’s Gourmet was honoured as a Top 3 Brand by the Ontario Made program, recognized for our quality craftsmanship and innovative contributions to the local economy.