Soup’s On

It’s the perfect time of year for soup.

Jangtoh Soontofu, 4451 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles. (213) 665-8664. Style: Korean soup house serving variations of two dishes: soup and soup. Setting: Painted bright orchid on the outside, filled with Koreans on the inside. Recommended: Soontofu (soup made with tofu) or kongbiji (soup with ground soybeans). Cost: $4.95 per bowl.

Miami Spice, 13515 Washington Blvd., Marina del Rey. (213) 306-7978. Style: Bilingual menu featuring the old Cuban-American standards. Setting: Coffee shop a la Ricky Ricardo, with a soup of the day. Recommended: Swordfish soup (Fridays). Cost: $3 per bowl.

Rainbow Bar and Grill, 9015 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles. (213) 278-4232. Style: Punk rock club serving quasi-Southern Italian/Hollywood Continental. Setting: Lots of chains and leather. Bring ear plugs. Recommended: Chicken noodle soup. Cost: $4 per bowl.

St. Barth’s Market and Grill, 15200 Sunset Blvd., Pacific Palisades. (213) 454-5634. Style: Not quite Cha Cha Cha, but this Caribbean market and grill has become a popular neighborhood place. Setting: Fresh flowers; flowery oil cloths. Recommended: Corn chowder or sopito , fish chowder with coconut milk. Cost: Corn chowder, $3.50 per bowl; Sopito , $4.75 per bowl.

Souplantation, 201 S. Lake Ave., Pasadena. (818) 577-4797. Also at 11 other locations. Style: Soup and salad chain for the masses. Setting: Bright and airy cafeteria with high ceiling and plate-glass windows. Recommended: Clam chowder. Cost: $5.25 at lunch or $6.25 at dinner (all you can eat).