Explainer
A soup mug is part bowl, part mug: what sets it apart, which materials and sizes it comes in, and how to use it safely in the microwave.
Pour a bowl of soup into a regular mug and it spills over the top; carry a bowl across the kitchen and the heat goes straight to your fingers. A soup mug is built to fix both problems. It has the width and depth of a bowl, the handle of a mug, and often a lid on top.
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The wide opening lets a spoon move freely, and the walls are deep enough to hold a full serving rather than a sip. The handle means the hot part of the vessel never needs to sit in your palm, which matters most when a meal has just come out of the microwave, a point the soup mugs picks also weigh when judging a mug for reheated ramen.
That combination is why people reach for one at a desk, on the couch or at the counter: it holds a meal like a bowl but carries like a cup.
Three features separate a soup mug from an ordinary mug or bowl. Not every model has all three, so the details are worth checking before buying. The best soup mugs page compares which models include lids, how the handles are shaped and how large each one is.
Ceramic is the most familiar, but it is not the only choice. Each material trades something different for convenience, so match it to where the mug will be used.
| Material | Known for |
|---|---|
| Ceramic, porcelain or stoneware | Colors, designs, microwave heating |
| Stainless steel | Durability and keeping food warm |
| Plastic | Light weight and vented lids |
| Any material | Check the maker's care label |
Capacity is the other clear dividing line. Soup mugs generally hold more than a standard mug, with the range running from about 12 to 24 ounces, and the mugs in this lineup list 20, 24 and 28 ounces. Metric listings often show 656 ml or 700 ml.
A mid-sized mug suits a single serving and stores easily. A larger one suits a bigger appetite, or a mug that also has to handle cereal, oatmeal or a latte.
Many soup mugs are made for reheating, which is much of their appeal. Still, the maker's instructions decide what is safe for that particular mug and lid.
When a lid has a vent, open it before heating so steam can escape instead of building up inside. Take the mug out with care afterward, since the contents can be very hot even when the handle is not.
Yes. The size and shape suit stews, chili, oatmeal, ramen and other noodles, hot chocolate, cereal and even ice cream, and the same mug works for coffee or tea when you want a bigger cup.
Some are and many are not. The materials differ from model to model, so check the maker's specifications for oven use before putting a mug or its lid in the oven.