Soup · Lunch · Mediterranean ·

Earthy Armenian Spas with Yogurt and Barley

Name: Earthy Armenian Spas with Yogurt and Barley
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 90 min
Total time: 120 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: Soup
Ingredients: 1 cup pearl barley, rinsed and soaked; 1 cup bulgur wheat, rinsed; 4 cups vegetable broth; 1 cup water; 2 cups plain yogurt, full-fat for best results; 1 egg, beaten; 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour; 1 tablespoon olive oil; Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste; 1 tablespoon dried mint; 2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped; 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped; 1 teaspoon paprika

A traditional Armenian yogurt soup with bulgur, barley, and herbs that offers warmth and tanginess in every spoonful.

4.4(333 reviews)

·By Ethan Brooks·September 11, 2025

Earthy Armenian Spas with Yogurt and Barley — Soup served and photographed from above

Prep

30 min

Cook

1 h 30 min

Difficulty

Easy

Serves

Ingredients

Servings

Soup Base

Yogurt Mixture

Seasonings & Flavors

Garnishing

Nutrition

Per serving

Calories: 312 kcal
Protein: 9.5 g
Carbs: 53.2 g
Fat: 6.5 g
Fiber: 7.7 g

Whole recipe

Total

Calories: 1869 kcal
Protein: 57 g
Carbs: 319 g
Fat: 39 g
Fiber: 46 g

Breakdown by ingredient▾

Ingredient	Cal	P	C	F	Fib
1 cup pearl barley rinsed and soaked	704	12	148	2	16
1 cup bulgur wheat rinsed	576	17	125	2	26
4 cups vegetable broth	40	2	10	0	0
1 cup water	0	0	0	0	0
2 cups plain yogurt full-fat for best results	300	16	23	16	0
1 egg beaten	70	6	1	5	0
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour	28	1	6	0	0
1 tablespoon olive oil	119	0	0	14	0
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste	0	0	0	0	0
1 tablespoon dried mint	10	1	3	0	1
2 tablespoons fresh dill chopped	8	1	1	0	1
2 tablespoons fresh parsley chopped	8	1	1	0	1
1 teaspoon paprika	6	0	1	0	1

These are estimates, not dietary advice.

Preparation

Get these tasks done before you start cooking.

Preparing the Frame

1
Rinse and soak barley
Rinse and soak pearl barley for at least 30 minutes.
2
Combine grains
Drain the barley and combine with bulgur in a large pot.
3
Boil soup base
Add vegetable broth and water, then bring to a boil.

Creating the Yogurt Mixture

1
Whisk yogurt mixture
In a separate bowl, whisk together yogurt, beaten egg, flour, and olive oil.
2
Temper the egg
On low heat, gradually add 1 cup of the broth from the barley pot into the yogurt mixture while stirring to temper the egg.
Tip: Keep stirring to prevent the yogurt from curdling. Pro Tip: Use a wire whisk for smooth integration of the yogurt mixture.

How to Make Earthy Armenian Spas with Yogurt and Barley

Total time: 2 h · Yields 6 servings

1
Simmer the soup
Reduce heat to low and let the soup simmer, uncovered, for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally.
2
Add seasonings
Add salt, pepper, dried mint, and fresh dill to the soup and stir well.
3
Final simmer
Allow soup to simmer for an additional 5-10 minutes to deepen flavors.