How to cook Thai Soup (Tom Yum Soup)
Here’s a wonderful recipe for making authentic Tom Yum Soup, known for its aromatic and vibrant flavors. This recipe is easy to follow and will deliver a delicious bowl of this classic Thai dish.

Here’s a wonderful recipe for making authentic Tom Yum Soup, known for its aromatic and vibrant flavors. This recipe is easy to follow and will deliver a delicious bowl of this classic Thai dish.
Tom Yum Soup in the photo.
Ingredients:
For the Soup Base:
- 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
- 2 stalks lemongrass, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces, smashed
- 4-5 slices galangal (or ginger as a substitute)
- 4-6 kaffir lime leaves, torn into pieces
- 2-3 Thai bird chilies (or more, depending on your spice preference), smashed
- 200 grams (about 7 oz) shrimp, peeled and deveined (or fish/tofu)
- 200 grams (about 7 oz) mushrooms (such as straw or oyster mushrooms), halved
- 1 medium tomato, quartered
- 1 medium onion, sliced
- 2-3 tablespoons fish sauce (or soy sauce for a vegetarian version)
- 1-2 tablespoons lime juice (freshly squeezed, to taste)
- Fresh cilantro leaves for garnish
Optional Additions:
- 1-2 teaspoons sugar (to balance flavors)
- Chili paste (Nam Prik Pao), for extra depth of flavor
Instructions:
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Make the Broth:
- In a large pot, bring the chicken or vegetable broth to a boil over medium heat.
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Infuse the Aromatics:
- Add the smashed lemongrass, galangal, torn kaffir lime leaves, and smashed bird chilies to the pot. Allow these to simmer for 5-10 minutes to release their flavors into the broth.
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Add Veggies:
- Add the sliced onion and quartered tomato into the broth. Let them cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until the onion becomes translucent.
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Add Proteins:
- Gently add the shrimp (or fish/tofu) and mushrooms to the pot. Cook for about 3-5 minutes, until the shrimp turns pink and opaque (or until tofu is heated through).
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Season the Soup:
- Stir in the fish sauce, and taste the broth. You may add sugar if you like a little sweetness. Adjust the seasoning to your preference—add more fish sauce for saltiness or lime juice for acidity.
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Finishing Touch:
- Remove the pot from heat. Add freshly squeezed lime juice to brighten up the flavors.
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Serve:
- Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with fresh cilantro leaves. If desired, serve with extra lime wedges on the side for those who prefer added acidity.
Tips:
- Customizations: Feel free to add more vegetables, like cherry tomatoes or baby corn, or swap the proteins with chicken, squid, or even add tofu for a vegetarian version.
- Spiciness: Control the heat by adjusting the number of chilies used. You can also remove the seeds for milder heat.
- Storage: Tom Yum is best enjoyed fresh, but you can store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for a couple of days.
Enjoy your delicious homemade Tom Yum Soup! It's sure to impress your family and friends with its aromatic and tangy flavors.
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