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!

Tom Yum Soup(The Most Authentic Recipe!) - Rasa Malaysia (1)

Tom Yum Soup(The Most Authentic Recipe!) - Rasa Malaysia (2)

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

Is tom yum soup healthy? ›

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 ethnicity is 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 is tom yum soup 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.

Is Tom Yum bad for cholesterol? ›

Coconut milk is also another common ingredient that you will find in Tom Yum Goong. It is known for its effectiveness in lowering cholesterol, and improving your immune system. Some even suggested that coconut milk contains anti-aging properties and will help people get rid of their wrinkles as well.

Is Tom Yum good for your stomach? ›

Tom Yum Soup is not only known for its immune-boosting properties but also for its ability to promote digestion and gut health. The combination of ingredients like lemongrass, galangal, and lime leaves in the soup helps stimulate the digestive system and improve overall gut function.

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.

Why is Tom Yum so good? ›

This soup exhibits four clear flavors: unapologetic sourness, bold spiciness, distinct saltiness with notes of compromising sweetness. Featuring all four of the famous Thai flavors — salty, sour, sweet, and spicy, this soup is an amalgamation of the Thai holy trinity — lemongrass, galangal and kaffir lime leaves.

What to pair with Tom Yum soup? ›

What To Serve With Tom Yum Soup. This soup is brothy. If you feel like you need a more substantial meal, serve it alongside a bowl of rice or with this light and flavorful Thai Noodle Salad to balance the spiciness of the soup.

What is the difference between red and white Tom Yum soup? ›

For Clear soup, we boil the soup with the spices whereas for Red, we grind the spices (lemon grass, chili padi and more) into a paste and add it to the soup.

Is Tom Yum soup red or clear? ›

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.

What does tom yum mean in English? ›

The name ``Tom Yum'' translates to ``boiling'' and ``spicy.'' The name ``Tom Yum'' comes from the Thai words ``tom'' meaning boiling and ``yum'' meaning spicy, which perfectly describes the spicy and hot nature of this soup.

Why is tom yum so sour? ›

Tom Yum has a distinct spicy hot and sour flavor, with the fragrant herbs lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, and galangal used generously in the broth. The sour flavor comes from lime juice, it's saltiness comes from fish sauce, and crushed hot chili peppers contribute an extra spicy kick.

Is Tom Yum soup anti inflammatory? ›

Health Benefits: Tom Yum soup is made with a variety of fresh herbs and spices that are known for their health benefits. Lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, and galangal are all used in the soup and have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

What is the healthiest Thai food to eat? ›

10 of Our Favorite Healthy Thai Dishes, According to a Dietitian
  • Papaya salad.
  • Pomelo salad.
  • Spring rolls.
  • Clear spicy Thai soup.
  • Hainanese chicken with rice.
  • Steamed fish.
  • Coconut lemongrass clams.
  • Garlic stir-fried vegetables.
Aug 19, 2022

How many calories in a tom yum soup? ›

Nutritional Summary:

There are 121 calories in 1 cup of Tom Yum Soup. Calorie Breakdown: 33% fat, 29% carbs, 39% prot.

How unhealthy is pad thai? ›

Although the ingredients in pad Thai are generally pretty healthy, the calories can still add up fast. Just one cup of a typical pad Thai has about 400 calories and 17 grams of fat, as well as loads of sodium. To balance it out, I always order mine with an extra serving of steamed vegetables to mix in.”

Is there a lot of sugar in Tom Yum soup? ›

Sugar is also added to tom yum soup to give it a slightly sweet flavor. There are about 12 grams of sugar in one can, which is relatively high among soups.

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