Authentic Thai Tom Yum Soup Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is Tom Yum broth made of? ›

The soup base depends on the exact sub-type but is generally water, coconut milk, or chicken or other broth. Various aromatic ingredients are sliced, roughly pounded, and simmered to extract their flavor. These include fresh ingredients such as lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, galangal, chilis, shallots, and garlic.

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.

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.

This soup is known for its spicy and sour flavors, which are balanced by the sweetness of the shrimp. Another popular variation is Tom Kha Gai, which is made with chicken, coconut milk, galangal, lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, and chili peppers.

Best: Tom Yum Soup

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.

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.

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.

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.

Tom yum typically has about 90 calories; tom kha has 350 due to the inclusion of coconut milk. Something to note is that both soups are flavorful and delicious. Compared to other favorites like French onion soup, they both have fewer calories.

The medicinal benefits of this soup are abundant! Tom Yum in Thai directly translates to “boiling and sour”. Tom Yum soup uses a variety of healing herbs and ingredients to boost the immune system, coat the stomach, aid in digestion, and repair cellular tissue.

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.

Tom Yum Goong is a staple of Thai cuisine, celebrated for its harmonious blend of flavors and aromatic ingredients. Its history is deeply rooted in Thai culture, and the dish has become popular worldwide.

Traditional Thai cuisine is quite healthy and largely based on vegetables, lean proteins, and fresh herbs and spices. Certain Thai dishes are high in refined carbs and may contain deep-fried foods, added sugar, or high amounts of salt.

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.

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.

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.

Tom yum soup has a wide variety of herbs and spices which work synergistically to make you feel better. This includes: Lemongrass: an herb that is high in vitamins A and B, fights inflammation, and can relieve a cough or upset stomach. It is good for fever, headache, and muscle pains.