When heavy snow blankets the Central Plains, warmth rises from the dining tables of Henan people. Here, resisting the bitter cold relies not only on thick winter clothing but also on bowl after bowl of steaming hot soup. The cuisine of Henan is simple, hearty, and down-to-earth, especially the soups of winter, which are not just food but a warm and comforting ritual of daily life.

In the early morning, people are awakened by the pungent aroma of Hulatang. The thick soup is filled with diced meat, gluten, and wood ear mushrooms, simmered with nearly twenty spices to create a rich, layered warmth. With one sip, the fiery sensation of black pepper travels from the throat straight to the stomach. Paired with fried dough sticks or freshly pan-fried buns, it brings a light sweat to the forehead and leaves one feeling invigorated for the entire day.

For something more nourishing, Luoyang's beef soup is the perfect choice. Slowly simmered beef bones yield a milky, rich broth, topped with thinly sliced beef, sprinkled with scallions and cilantro, and drizzled with a spoonful of beef fat chili oil. Eaten with shredded flatbread or crispy baked cakes, the soup is fragrant, the meat tender, and the flavors deeply satisfying.

Mutton soup is the star of winter nourishment. The broth is clear and bright, the meat soft and succulent, sprinkled with lamb fat chili oil and enjoyed with torn pieces of flatbread. Each sip of soup and bite of bread drives away the chill. In areas like Jiaozuo and Luoyang, there is also donkey meat soup, known as "dragon meat on earth." Its golden broth complements the tender, reddish donkey meat, offering a delicate and nourishing choice for those in the know.

For those who prefer something mild and mellow, Doumo is worth trying. Made from ground millet and garnished with peanuts and shredded tofu, its richness is as gentle as the land of the Central Plains.

And in the end, all these soups lead back home. A simple bowl of dough drop soup, made casually with flour, eggs, and vegetables, offers a humble yet comforting sweetness. It warms not just the stomach but the heart.

In Henan, soup is the quintessential winter delicacy. With each bowl, warmth spreads through the body, the flavors celebrate the joys of everyday life, and the hearts of those far from home are comforted. Though the snow may be cold, with the cuisine of Henan, there is always warmth and a sense of home.