Tom Yum Soup (Printable version)

Bold, aromatic Thai classic balancing sour, spicy, and savory flavors with fresh herbs.

# What You'll Need:

→ Broth Base

01 - 4 cups chicken or vegetable stock
02 - 2 stalks lemongrass, trimmed and smashed
03 - 4 kaffir lime leaves, torn
04 - 3 slices galangal or ginger
05 - 2 Thai birds eye chiles, sliced

→ Vegetables and Aromatics

06 - 7 ounces mushrooms, sliced
07 - 2 medium tomatoes, cut into wedges
08 - 1 small onion, sliced
09 - 3 cloves garlic, smashed

→ Protein

10 - 10 ounces shrimp, peeled and deveined or tofu

→ Seasonings and Finish

11 - 3 tablespoons fish sauce or soy sauce
12 - 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
13 - 1 teaspoon sugar
14 - 1 teaspoon chili paste optional
15 - Fresh cilantro leaves for garnish
16 - 2 green onions, sliced
17 - Lime wedges for serving

# How to Make:

01 - In a medium pot, bring stock to a gentle boil. Add lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, galangal, chiles, garlic, and onion. Simmer for 10 minutes to allow flavors to infuse.
02 - Add sliced mushrooms and tomato wedges. Cook for 5 minutes until mushrooms are tender.
03 - Add shrimp or tofu and simmer just until shrimp turn pink and are cooked through, approximately 2 to 3 minutes.
04 - Stir in fish sauce, lime juice, sugar, and chili paste if using. Taste and adjust seasoning for salt, sourness, and heat as desired.
05 - Remove from heat. Ladle soup into bowls and garnish with cilantro and green onions. Serve with lime wedges.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The broth comes together in under 40 minutes but tastes like it simmered all day
  • You get complete control over the heat and sour balance to match your mood
  • One pot delivers that restaurant quality Thai flavor without special equipment
02 -
  • Do not boil the broth furiously once the aromatics are in, or it can become bitter
  • Adding lime juice off the heat preserves its bright, fresh flavor
  • The soup is best eaten immediately while the shrimp are still tender
03 -
  • Freeze extra lemongrass stalks when you find them fresh, they keep for months
  • The flavor actually improves if you make it a few hours ahead and reheat gently
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