Tom Yum Soup (The Most Authentic Recipe!) - Rasa Malaysia (2024)

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Tom Yum Soup - the BEST Thai Tom Yum Goong recipe you'll find online. Loaded with shrimp and mushroom, Tom Yum is spicy, sour, savory, and addictive!

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Table of Contents

What Is Tom Yum Soup?

Tom Yum Goong is one of the most well-known Thai recipes, and I have the BEST and most authentic Tom Yum recipe for you. Not to mention how easy it is to make.

Goong means “shrimp” in Thai, as the soup is usually made with shrimp. You can also make it with seafood such as squid or a combination of different seafood.

Other Thai Recipes You Might Like:

  • Pad Thai
  • Green Curry
  • Thai Shrimp Noodle Soup
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Ingredients for Tom Yum

  • Shrimp Stock
  • Shrimp
  • Lime Juice
  • Thai Chilies
  • Thai Roasted Chili Paste
  • Fish Sauce
  • Mushrooms
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Cooking Tips

  • The best Tom Yum calls for shrimp stock, which you can make by boiling the shrimp heads with water. A good stock guarantees the great taste of Tom Yum. However, you can also make it with water or canned chicken stock.
  • Another secret is the use of nam prik pao (Thai roasted chili paste). You can’t do without the aromatics: galangal, lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves and bird’s eye chilies.
  • To make Bangkok-style Tom Yum which is creamier and whiter in color, add a few tablespoons of evaporated milk to the soup.

Once you have these ingredients, you will have the best bowl of homemade tom yum you’ve ever tasted, I promise.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Tom Yum Soup Healthy?

In Thai culture, it is believed that tom yum is beneficial to ones health.

What Is the Difference between Tom Yum and Tom Kha?

The main difference is the use of coconut in tom kha.

How Many Calories?

One serving has 270 calories.

What Dishes to Serve with This Recipe?

This meal is best served with Thai entrees. For a wholesome meal and easy weeknight dinner, I recommend the following recipes.

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Tom Yum Soup Recipe

Tom Yum Soup - the BEST Thai Tom Yum Goong recipe you'll find online. Loaded with shrimp and mushroom, Tom Yum is spicy, sour, savory, and addictive!

4.57 from 153 votes

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By Bee Yinn Low

Yield 2 people

Prep 15 minutes mins

Cook 10 minutes mins

Total 25 minutes mins

Ingredients

  • 12 oz. (350g) shrimp ( or tiger prawn, head-on and shell-on)
  • 2 1/2 cups shrimp stock (preferred, canned chicken stock, or water)
  • 1 stalk lemongrass (cut into 3-inch (7cm) strips, pounded with a cleaver)
  • 3 slices galangal
  • 6 kaffir lime leaves (bruised)
  • 6 bird's eyes chilies (pounded)
  • 6 fresh oyster mushrooms (cut into pieces)
  • 2 tablespoons nam prik pao (Thai roasted chili paste)
  • 2 tablespoons nam prik pao oil
  • 3 teaspoons fish sauce
  • 3 1/2 tablespoons lime juice
  • Cilantro leaves (for garnishing)

Instructions

  • Peel the shell and head off the shrimp, keep the tails on. Save the shell and shrimp head. Devein the shrimp and set aside.

  • In a pot, bring 3 cups of water to boil. Add the shrimp head and shell to make shrimp stock. Boil until the water turns slightly orange in color. Press the shrimp heads with a spatula to extract the juice from the heads.

  • Simmer and let the stock reduce to 2 1/2 cups. Drain the shrimp stock and discard the shrimp heads and shells.

  • Turn the heat to high and add the lemongrass, galangal, kaffir lime leaves, bird's eye chilies, mushroom, nam prik pao and nam prik pao oil to the shrimp stock. Bring it to boil.

  • Add in the shrimp and fish sauce. Lastly, add the lime juice (if you add lime juice too early, the soup might turn bitter). Boil until the shrimps are cooked, dish out, and garnish with cilantro leaves. Serve immediately.

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Notes

  1. You may use tiger prawn for this recipe.
  2. I recommend Pantai brand Nam Prik Pao. In bottled Nam Prik Pao, the oil floats to the top. Use the oil to make Tom Yum Soup.
  3. Other than oyster mushrooms, you can also use straw mushrooms or white mushrooms.
  4. You can make Tom Yum Soup with chicken, a combination of chicken plus shrimp, or seafood combination (shrimp, squid, and scallop). However, the most popular tom yum is tom yum goong, goong means prawn in Thai language.

Course: Thai Recipes

Cuisine: Thai

Keywords: tom yum soup

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts

Tom Yum Soup Recipe

Amount Per Serving (2 people)

Calories 270Calories from Fat 36

% Daily Value*

Fat 4g6%

Saturated Fat 1g6%

Cholesterol 53mg18%

Sodium 1402mg61%

Carbohydrates 41g14%

Fiber 1g4%

Sugar 7g8%

Protein 14g28%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Notice: Nutrition is auto-calculated, using Spoonacular, for your convenience. Where relevant, we recommend using your own nutrition calculations.

Tom Yum Soup (The Most Authentic Recipe!) - Rasa Malaysia (2024)

FAQs

Which country is famous for Tom Yum soup? ›

Originated in Thailand, this is sometimes called Tom Yam and is a soup that normally includes shrimp in a hot and sour serving. The words Tom Yam mean “boiling” or “hot” and “spicy and sour” which perfectly describes this soup. As a staple Thai dish, this famous Tom Yum Goong is served in Thai Square.

What are the ingredients in Tom Yum soup? ›

Tom yum is a classic Thai-style hot and sour soup. The word “tom” refers to the boiling process, while “yum” translates to “mixed.” Flavored with lemongrass, Thai red chiles, garlic, galangal, lime leaves, soy sauce, cremini mushrooms, lime juice, and cilantro, it is complex, yet comforting.

What is the difference between Tom Yam and tom yum? ›

Tom refers to the boiling process, while yam refers to a Thai spicy and sour salad. Indeed, tom yum is characterised by its distinct hot and sour flavours, with fragrant spices and herbs generously used in the broth.

Why is Tom Yum soup so good? ›

The combination of spicy, sour, and savory flavors creates a taste explosion that is unlike any other soup. This makes it a perfect dish for those who crave bold and adventurous flavors. Health Benefits: Tom Yum soup is made with a variety of fresh herbs and spices that are known for their health benefits.

What is the No 1 soup in the world? ›

According to the Taste Atlas Awards, the international food database, the Filipino favorite, Sinigang, is hailed as the best soup in the world.

Is tom yum a healthy soup? ›

It's a healthy pick. Tom yum has fewer than 100 calories per cup. It also has shrimp, veggies, and fragrant spices, such as lemongrass. Tom yum and other broth-based soups, like tofu-vegetable or wonton, are usually lower in fat and calories than soups made with coconut milk, such as tom kha.

What is Tom Yum in English? ›

The words “tom yum” are derived from two Thai words: “tom” and “yam”. “Tom” refers to boiling process, while “yam” refers to a kind of Lao and Thai spicy and sour salad. Thus, “tom yum” is a Lao and Thai hot and sour soup and is indeed the most famous Thai soup.

What do you eat with tom yum soup? ›

Serve tom yum soup as is for a flavorful appetizer or with steamed white rice or sticky rice as a main dish.

What does Yum mean in Thai? ›

Yum, meaning “mix,” is a hearty dish consisting mostly of meat, fish, or seafood together with many other typically Thai ingredients which may include peanuts, fruit, and herbs.

What does Tom mean in Thai? ›

The Thai word for “boil” or tom (pronounced “dtome”) features prominently on Thai menus and tom yum goong is probably one of the most famous Thai dishes in the world.

Do you eat everything in tom yum soup? ›

For shrimp-based soups, shrimp shells and heads may also be simmered, to extract their flavor. These ingredients are often then removed as their flavor is now extracted and many aren't edible. However they may be left in, as an aid to presentation. Alternatively, commercial tom yum paste may be used.

Is tom yum soup high in sodium? ›

Hot and sour shrimp soup (Tom Yum Goong) is a calorie bargain at 90 calories per one cup, but, like all Thai soups, it's high in sodium.

What is the difference between red and white tom yum soup? ›

For those who are not sure, the difference between clear and red tom yum soup is that they grind the spices (lemon grass, chili padi and many more) into a paste and add it to the soup, instead of simply boiling the soup with the spices. Coconut milk can be added as well.

Who invented Tom Yum? ›

Over time, the soup began incorporating other ingredients such as lemongrass, galangal, kaffir lime leaves, and chili peppers. One theory about the origin of Tom Yum soup is that it was created by royal chefs in the Ayutthaya Kingdom. The kingdom was founded in the mid-14th century.

Why is Tom Yum popular in Thailand? ›

The strong flavours in Thai food offers are reasons that make them very popular, and Tom Yum Goong is definitely full of flavour. Tom Yum Goong is different from many western soups because most western soups do not have a huge amount of flavour in the broth.

What part of Thailand is Tom Yum from? ›

Central Thailand

Which country eat the most soup? ›

Russians consume the most soup on average in the world, with approximately 32 kg per person per year. The statistic states that, on average, Russians consume the highest amount of soup compared to any other country in the world. This is quantified by an approximate consumption rate of 32 kilograms per person per year.

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