Tom Yum Soup is Thailand’s signature hot and sour soup, loved for its bold, aromatic flavors. This guide walks you through how to make the perfect bowl from scratch, with the right balance of lemongrass, lime, chili, and tender shrimp. Whether you’re craving comfort or a punch of flavor, this Thai classic delivers every time.
🌶️ Why You’ll Love This
✔ Authentic street food taste at home
✔ 3 protein options (shrimp, chicken, or tofu)
✔ Immune-boosting (ginger + lemongrass)
✔ Naturally gluten-free & dairy-free
Yields: 4-6 servings
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes
Ingredients:
- 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
- 2 stalks lemongrass, bruised and roughly chopped
- 4-5 slices galangal (Thai ginger)
- 4-5 kaffir lime leaves, torn
- 2-3 red chilies, bruised (adjust to your spice preference)
- 1 cup straw mushrooms, halved
- 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined (or other protein like chicken or tofu)
- 2-3 tablespoons fish sauce (adjust to taste)
- 2-3 tablespoons lime juice (adjust to taste)
- 1 tablespoon chili paste in oil (optional, for color and extra flavor)
- Fresh cilantro and green onions, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
Step 1: Gather your ingredients.
Step 2: In a pot, bring the chicken or vegetable broth to a boil. Add the bruised lemongrass, galangal slices, torn kaffir lime leaves, and bruised red chilies.
Step 3: Reduce the heat and let the broth simmer for 10-15 minutes to allow the flavors to infuse.
Step 4: Add the halved straw mushrooms and cherry tomatoes to the simmering broth. Cook for 2-3 minutes until the mushrooms are slightly tender.
Step 5: Add the peeled and deveined shrimp (or your choice of protein) to the soup. Cook until the shrimp turn pink and opaque, which usually takes 2-3 minutes. Avoid overcooking.
Step 6: Stir in the fish sauce, lime juice, and chili paste (if using) in oil. Taste and adjust the seasonings according to your preference. You may want more fish sauce for saltiness, more lime juice for sourness, or more chili paste for heat and color.
Step 7: Remove the pot from the heat. Ladle the Tom Yum soup into bowls and garnish generously with fresh cilantro and chopped green onions. Serve hot.
📊 Nutrition (Per Serving)
| Calories | 120 |
|---|---|
| Protein | 18g |
| Carbs | 5g |
| Vitamin C | 40% DV |
(With shrimp and full broth)
💡 Pro Tips
✅ No galangal? Use ginger + extra lime zest
✅ Vegetarian: Use tofu + vegetarian fish sauce
✅ Extra creamy: Add 2 tbsp coconut milk
🍽️ Serving Ideas
- Thai Feast
- Pair with pad Thai and spring rolls
- Low-Carb Meal
- Add zucchini noodles
- Sick Day Remedy
- Double the ginger and chilies
Enjoy your delicious homemade Tom Yum Soup!
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