Tom Yum: Thailand’s Famous Soup That Awakens Every Sense (And How to Make It at Home)

Last updated on July 11th, 2025 at 06:49 am

If there is one dish that encapsulates the vibrant, bold flavors of Thai cuisine, it is Tom Yum soup. This aromatic, spicy, and sour soup is beloved across Thailand, combining fresh lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, galangal, and chili with juicy shrimp or chicken to create a broth that is bright, cleansing, and deeply satisfying. Each sip offers a perfect balance of heat, acidity, and herbal freshness, waking up your palate in a way few dishes can.

Tom Yum is not just a restaurant dish; it is a daily staple in Thailand, sold everywhere from street food stalls to high-end restaurants, where it is enjoyed as a meal starter, a light lunch, or even as a nourishing breakfast on cooler mornings. Its popularity lies in its simplicity of preparation combined with complex, layered flavors that showcase Thai cooking’s mastery of harmony.

In this recipe guide, you will learn how to make authentic Tom Yum soup at home, using traditional ingredients and techniques to achieve the flavor that transports you instantly to a street-side eatery in Bangkok. Whether you’re craving something light yet filling or want to impress friends with your Southeast Asian cooking skills, Tom Yum is the dish to master.

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Best Time to Eat and How to Partner

Tom Yum is versatile and eaten at any time of day in Thailand, but it is most commonly enjoyed as lunch or dinner, either as a starter or a main when paired with rice. Its light, refreshing broth makes it ideal for hot tropical days, while its warming chili heat is equally comforting on cool evenings.

To serve Tom Yum like a Thai meal, partner it with a bowl of steamed jasmine rice to mellow the soup’s heat and acidity, and add a side of Thai-style omelette or grilled chicken satay for a balanced, protein-rich meal. Finish with a refreshing drink like Thai iced tea or coconut water to cool down your palate and complete the experience.

One controversial truth about Tom Yum is the use of coconut milk, which is often added in Western adaptations to create a creamy version known as Tom Yum Nam Khon. While delicious, this is not the classic clear Tom Yum Goong (shrimp) or Tom Yum Gai (chicken) that most Thais prefer, which relies on a light, clear broth to highlight the herbs’ sharp flavors without mellowing them with creaminess.

Another misunderstood aspect is the ingredient preparation. Many home cooks remove lemongrass, galangal, and kaffir lime leaves after cooking to avoid their fibrous texture, but in Thailand, these aromatics are often left in the bowl. Diners simply push them aside, appreciating their essential role in infusing the broth with intense herbal notes that define Tom Yum’s character.

Finally, Tom Yum’s spice level sparks debates. Tourists often ask for it “not spicy,” resulting in a dish that loses its signature fiery balance. While authentic Thai Tom Yum is hot, it’s also balanced by sour lime juice, salty fish sauce, and herbal freshness, creating a soup that is invigorating rather than overpowering. Removing the chili entirely changes the dish’s identity and cultural authenticity.

How to Make Tom Yum

Tom Yum Recipe Ingredients

For the Soup:
4 cups (950 ml) chicken or seafood stock
12 large shrimp, peeled and deveined (tails left on for presentation)
2 stalks lemongrass, cut into 2-inch pieces and smashed
3 slices galangal (or ginger if galangal is unavailable)
4 kaffir lime leaves, torn into pieces (remove the stem)
2-3 Thai bird’s eye chilies, smashed (adjust to taste)
200 grams (7 oz) mushrooms, sliced (straw mushrooms are authentic, but button mushrooms work too)
2 medium tomatoes, cut into wedges
1 medium onion, sliced
2 tablespoons fish sauce, or to taste
1-2 tablespoons lime juice, freshly squeezed, to taste
1 teaspoon sugar (optional, to balance the sourness)
For Garnishing:
Fresh cilantro
Additional lime wedges

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Step By Step How to Make Tom Yum

1. Prepare the Broth

Boil the Herbs: In a medium pot, bring the chicken or seafood stock to a boil. Add the lemongrass, galangal, kaffir lime leaves, and bird’s eye chilies. Boil for 5-10 minutes to infuse the broth with these flavors.

2. Add the Aromatics

Add Onion and Mushrooms: Add the onion and mushrooms to the pot. Reduce the heat to a simmer and let cook for a few minutes until the mushrooms are soft.

3. Add the Shrimp

Cook the Shrimp: Add the shrimp to the pot and cook until they turn pink and are just cooked through, about 2-3 minutes. Overcooking can make the shrimp tough.

4. Season the Soup

Add Seasonings: Stir in the fish sauce, lime juice, and sugar. Adjust these ingredients to taste; the soup should have a balanced hot, sour, and salty flavor profile.

5. Add the Tomatoes

Simmer the Tomatoes: Add the tomato wedges, simmer for an additional minute or two just to warm them through – they should retain some of their shape and texture.

6. Serve

Garnish and Serve: Remove the pot from heat. Serve hot, garnished with fresh cilantro and additional lime wedges on the side for extra tanginess.

Tips for Making Tom Yum

For the most authentic flavor, use fresh lemongrass, galangal, kaffir lime leaves, and Thai bird’s eye chilies. These are key to the unique flavor of Tom Yum. The charm of Tom Yum lies in its robust sour and spicy taste, which can be adjusted according to personal preference. Start with less chili and lime juice, and adjust as you taste.

Since the cooking time is short, using fresh ingredients is crucial for the best texture and flavor. Tom Yum is typically served as a starter, but it can also be a main course if served with rice.

How Many Calories Has A Tom Yum

Chicken or Seafood Stock (1 cup) is around 10-20 calories.
Large Shrimp (3-4 pieces) is around 30-50 calories.
Lemongrass, Galangal, Kaffir Lime Leaves, Bird’s Eye Chilies: These ingredients contribute minimal calories.
Mushrooms (½ cup, sliced) is around 15 calories for half a cup.
Tomatoes (½ medium): A half of a medium tomato has about 11 calories.
Onion (1/4 cup, sliced): About 15 calories.
Fish Sauce (2 tablespoons): About 10 calories.
Lime Juice (1 tablespoon): Approximately 4 calories.
Sugar (1 teaspoon): About 16 calories.

A single serving of Tom Yum is around 100-130 calories.