Authentic Thai Tom Yum Soup Recipe (2024)

FAQs

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.

There are two different types of Tom Yum soup. The original Tom Yum is a clear soup called Tom Yum Nam Sai. The later version, which is commonly seen and widely adored, is a vibrant-coloured, richer and creamier soup called Tom Yum Nam Khon as it has roasted chilli paste, evaporated milk or coconut cream added to it.

For most varieties a paste called nam phrik phao (Thai: น้ำพริกเผา) is also added, made from shrimp, chilis, shallots, and garlic. This imparts sweet, salty, and spicy tastes. Yet other ingredients may also be used, depending on the exact variety of tom yam, such as evaporated milk.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Tom Yum is much spicier, and has a clear broth. Tom Kha uses coconut milk to stabilize and mellow the flavors, making it both sweeter and slightly heavier. While both soups can be made with a variety of proteins, tom yum usually calls for shrimp, while tom kha is commonly made with chicken.

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.

Spicy and sour are two common flavours in Thai food, and Tom Yum Goong is definitely a spicy and sour soup. The different kinds of herbs and spice that each Thai restaurant used enrich the spiciness and sourness of their version of Tom Yum Goong. This is why most people around the world enjoy Tom Yum Goong.

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.

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.

If your Thai prawn soup is bitter, you may have used a whole lime in the recipe instead of just lime juice. This comes from the lime rind (skin) and can be difficult to eliminate once added to the soup. To prevent your soup from being bitter, we recommend only using lime juice and whole limes in the recipe.

Featuring all four of the famous Thai spices – salty, sour, sweet and spicy, the soup originates from Central Thailand and is a blend of fragrant lemongrass, chilli, galangal, lime leaves, shallots, lime juice and fish sauce shapes this classic soup, giving it its legendary herbal kick.

Ingredients: Fresh lemongrass, rice bran oil, salt, sugar, fresh galangal, fresh onion, water, fresh chilli, fresh garlic, fresh lime, dried shrimp (crustacean), fresh kaffir lime leaves, acidity regulator:citric acid. This is gluten free.

What Does Tom Yum Soup Taste Like? The flavor of tom yum should be sour upfront from lime juice, then salty from fish sauce, with a mild sweetness from nam prik pao paste. You might not be able to necessarily taste the lemongrass and makrut lime leaves, but these aromatics should hit your nose while you slurp.

Tom yam (pronounced 'tom jam') is a clear soup with an intensely sour and spicy flavour. It is made by combining lemongrass, lime leaves and galangal. A portion of meat or fish can also be added, while mushrooms are also a popular choice. All of this is flavoured with fish sauce, lime juice and chilli peppers.