The Unique Type Of Vintage Mug That Deserves A Spot In Your Collection

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If you're a lover of vintage finds and can't resist a good old-timey treasure, there's one charming piece that deserves a spot in your collection. Vintage soup mugs are like a perfect hybrid between the bowl and the mug. They're wide, sturdy, and equipped with handles to make sipping a hot soup easy and convenient. They're typically painted with some retro lettering, a detailed soup recipe, and some designs that instantly bring an old-school charm to your mug collection. These mugs give your dinnerware a 1970s flair that can complement a retro décor or fit nicely in a modern farmhouse kitchen. 

You've likely spotted these mugs a few decades ago or while sifting through antique markets more recently. Some people remember their families originally receiving them through a fuel promotion run by the company Shell. However, it seems like there are several models of soup mugs that were released under that type of promotional campaign over the years, not only the kind with thick lettering and a soup recipe.

If you're lucky, you can find these charming mugs at your local thrift store. Some sets are also available on eBay using keywords like "vintage recipe soup bowl," "vintage soup cup," or "Shell soup mug". While they're vintage pieces, they're common enough to retail for an affordable price (between $10 for one and $30 for a set). There are even some modern remakes of these soups selling online, like these Caraway Natural Soup Mugs. 

These mugs are a perfect blend of nostalgia and function. Use them for soups as originally intended, or other liquids like tea or coffee (they're a bit larger than a regular mug, so best used for XL servings). They might come in handy to plate small servings of salads, or keep some sauces on the table during a meal. 

If you love the look of these vintage pieces but already have a stacked kitchen, don't worry. There are plenty of other ways you can still display these mugs at home. For example, turn ceramic mugs into cute planters or simply display them on an open shelf or in one of IKEA's stunning glass cabinets as décor. 

These mugs also have the particularity of having a soup recipe written directly onto them. If you're looking to revive some childhood memories, why not try some of these mug recipes in the kitchen? Whether it's tomato soup, chicken soup, or a warm and homey onion soup, you've got plenty of timeless options to try out. Some of the mugs have more unique yet tasty recipes that are worth trying out, like a mulligatawny recipe with mutton and curry or an oxtail soup. Before you get cooking, however, use some caution and discernment. Some of the versions of these mugs seen in pictures have obvious typos or errors in them. For example, some mugs read "one cup sliced raw" (you'll have to guess what as it isn't listed), or call for "one desertspoom parsley" — something best left on display instead of in your belly.