'Soup Town' gets its amusing name from a weird confluence of history and geology: The area was a flood plain until the 19th century when the Emajõgi subsided, making this an ideal place for cheap housing and vegetable gardening. Because of the numerous gardens in the area the residents gave the streets vegetable names such as Kartuli (Potato), Herne (Pea), Oa (Bean), Marja (Berry) and Meloni (Melon). Apart from its architecture, the neighbourhood is known for its residents, a fun-loving and creative bunch who throw some of the best backyard parties in town.