Who knew it was so easy to make authentic Thai Tom Yum Soup recipe in your kitchen? The name Tom Yum is a Thai word meaning “boiling” or “hot” (Tom) and “spicy and sour”(Yum). It is a traditional Thai soup characterized by its hot and sour flavor. This soup typically includes shrimp and is among the most prominent of all Thai foods. Some even consider this to be one of the world’s best soups.
In Thailand, this soup is EVERYWHERE. They have so many different ways of making Tom Yum Soup. But the classic and most liked version is the Tom Yum Goong, which refers to shrimp or Tom Yum Kung, which refers to prawns.
Tom Yum soup recipe is a simple, yet flavorful soup made with lemongrass, kaffir, galangal, fresh Thai chilies, lime leaves, fresh lime juice, and usually shrimp. All of these healthy ingredients are mixed together to create a broth that will for sure ignite your taste buds!
Recipe For Tom Yum Soup
- . 1 ½ pound medium-sized whole raw shrimp or prawns with heads and shells on. You need shrimp with heads to make the “shrimp oil” for the soup.
- 1/3 cup flavorless oil. Which you’ll use later to cook the shrimp in and sprinkle into the soup to enhance the taste of the seafood.
- 6 cups water. You’ll need this for your broth.
- 3 stalks fresh lemongrass. You need them garden-fresh as it offers a unique, refreshing taste.
- 12 kaffir lime leaves. You can find them in any of your local Asian markets. Kaffir lime leaves give a unique flavor that is irreplaceable.
- 4-6 Thai chilies or Thai chiles paste.
- ½ onion
- 1-inch piece galangal root. You can use either fresh or frozen. Used to tone down the sharp fishy smell.
- 1 ½ tablespoons fish sauce.
- 1 cup straw or button mushrooms.
- Use 1 lime. It’s a must to have the lime freshly squeezed.
Essential Tom Yum Soup Ingredients That You Can’t Do Without
The key ingredients for this Tom Yum Soup recipe are the three Thai herbs:
i. Lemongrass
ii. Galangal
iii. Kaffir lime leaves
Steps To Make It
⦁ Peel the shrimp or prawns. Place the heads in a large skillet.
⦁ Add the flavorless oil to the skillet and set over medium heat. Add a pinch of salt and cook until red and crispy.
⦁ Using a meat mallet smash the lemongrass, onion, kaffir lime leaves, galangal, and chilies. Place them into a pot, add water then bring it to boil. Then lower the heat and allow it to boil gently for about 10 minutes.
⦁ Strain the broth, remove the shells of the shrimp or prawn, then return to heat.
⦁ Add onions, mushrooms, and leave it to boil gently for another 3-4 minutes. Then stir in the shrimp or the prawn and fish sauce, and cook the shrimp for about 45 seconds.
⦁ Turn off the heat and stir in the lime juice. Then stir in 3-4 tablespoons of the shrimp oil.
⦁ Add some fresh coriander and sprinkle fresh chili over the soup, and it’s ready to serve. Enjoy.
However, if you are craving for the creamier version of Tom Yum Soup, you can add a little bit of coconut milk to the finished soup.
Tips
One secret to getting the best Tom Yum Soup is the shrimp stock. What cooks in Thailand do is cook the shrimp with the shells, only removing right before eating. A good shrimp stock guarantees the great taste of Tom Yum Soup.
Another secret is the use of Thai’s very own roasted chili paste, nam phrik phao.
Why Should You Choose Tom Yum Soup?
This food is known to be one of the healthiest foods you can eat. A recent study has found that the foods included in making Tom Yum Soup are much more effective compared to other foods in preventing cancerous tumor growth. Also, if this article has sparked wanderlust and you want to venture to Thailand, read our article “3 Lessons From My Trip to Thailand.”
A Guide On The Ingredients And Their Potential Benefits
Lemongrass
Lemongrass is commonly used in seafood and meat dishes as it provides a citrus and helps soften intense flavors. It also adds a unique aroma to the dishes. It has some vital vitamins like vitamins B1, B2, B3, B5. This herb is helpful in treating inflammation and is effectively used to treat cough and digestive issues.
Galanga
Galanga is a herb that originates from Southeast-Asian countries. With its antibacterial properties, this herb is especially useful in treating cough, stomach issues, and even heart-related issues.
Chilies
Studies show that eating chilies can induce sleep, keep your heart healthy, and maintain glucose levels.
Coriander
Coriander or cilantro or Chinese parsley is a strong herb that has antioxidants and micro-nutrients. It helps to clean metals from the body.
With all of the health benefits the Tom Yum Soup has to offer, coupled with how easy it is to make, there is no reason not make the Tom Yum soup recipe in your kitchen today! Enjoy.