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)

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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!

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

What is tom yum Malaysian food? ›

The most common ingredients are lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, tomato, squid and prawns. Tom Yam is an incredibly flexible dish that can be eaten as a meal on its own or as an appetiser. It can also be served in a bowl with noodle or an accompaniment of a steamed jasmine rice.

Where is tom yum originally from? ›

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 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 does tom yum taste so good? ›

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.

Why is Tom Yum soup so good? ›

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. I personally think tom yum goong is one of those dishes with all the flavors that represents Thai cuisine in one bowl.

What is tom yum broth made of? ›

For the Tom Yum Soup

Add the shrimp or chicken stock, lemongrass, makrut lime leaves, galangal and chilies to the pot. Bring to a boil and let it boil for about 5 minutes until you can smell the fragrance of the herbs from the pot.

What to 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.

Why is tom yum so sour? ›

Now depending on what dishes you're aiming for, the key ingredients to make tom yum usually include lemongrass, galangal and kaffir lime for fragrance, chilli for spiciness, lemon juice or tamarind paste for sour flavours, palm sugar for sweetness and fish sauce for saltiness.

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.

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.

Is tom yum soup good for stomach? ›

Most Thai soups do not contain harsh ingredients, which can be rough on the gut. An example is Tom Yum, a famous Thai soup served in most Thai restaurants. It is made up of simple ingredients that are not only easy to make, but also tasty and friendly to the gut. Ensure you get your hands on one of these soups.

What does Tom Yum mean in English? ›

Tom yum or tom yam is a type of hot and sour soup that originated in Thailand. It is usually contains prawn. The other basic ingredients used for cooking this soup include lemon grass, galangal and kaffir lime leaves along with chillies, tomatoes, coriander and fish sauce.

Is Tom Yum 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.

Which is healthier, Tom Yum or Tom Kha? ›

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.

What does Tom Yum taste like? ›

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.

What is Tom Yum made out of? ›

Tom yum soup is a sour Thai soup. It is usually cooked with shrimp, which is called “Tom Yum Goong,” or tom yum soup with shrimp. That's what we're making today! Fragrant herbs and aromatics flavor the broth, including galangal, lemongrass, makrut (AKA kaffir) lime leaves, and Thai bird's eye chilies.

What is Tom Yum Flavour like? ›

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 is the difference between Thai and Malaysian food? ›

Thai food frequently incorporates a variety of fresh herbs such as basil, coriander, and mint, while Malaysian cuisine often features ingredients like pandan leaves and turmeric. Overall, the cuisine of Thailand and Malaysia is diverse and flavorful, with unique ingredients and flavors that set them apart.

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