A process for cooling syngas provides effective syngas cooling and results in reduced levels of fouling in syngas cooling equipment. A process for cooling syngas includes blending syngas with cooled recycled syngas in an amount effective for providing a blended syngas with a temperature at an inlet of a syngas cooler of about 600°F to about 1400°F. The blended syngas changes direction of flow at least once prior to the inlet of the syngas cooler.