Experience the authentic flavors of Thailand with this delicious Thai Tom Yum Soup. This aromatic dish combines a savory and sour broth with succulent shrimp, mushrooms, and fresh herbs, offering a burst of flavors that is both comforting and invigorating. Perfect for a chilly evening or as a delightful starter to a Thai-inspired meal.
bruisedlemongrass(2 stalks) - Cut into 2-inch pieces
galangal(4 slices) - Or use ginger if unavailable
halvedthai bird's eye chili(2 pieces) - Adjust to taste
slicedmushrooms(100 grams) - Preferably straw or button mushrooms
halvedcherry tomatoes(4 pieces)
fish sauce(2 tablespoons) - Adjust to taste
chicken or vegetable broth(3 cups)
roughly choppedcilantro(10 grams) - For garnish
choppedgreen onion(1 stalk) - For garnish
tornkaffir lime leaves(4 pieces)
lime juice(2 tablespoons) - Freshly squeezed
Instructions
Prepare the broth
In a medium pot, combine chicken or vegetable broth, bruised lemongrass, sliced galangal, torn kaffir lime leaves, and Thai bird's eye chili. Bring to a boil over medium heat.
Infuse flavors
Lower the heat and simmer the broth for about 10 minutes to allow the flavors to infuse.
Cook the soup ingredients
Add sliced mushrooms and halved cherry tomatoes. Cook for an additional 5 minutes.
Add shrimp and season
Add the prepared shrimp to the pot and cook until they turn pink, about 2 minutes.
Stir in fish sauce and lime juice. Adjust seasoning to taste.
Finish and garnish
Remove the lemongrass and kaffir lime leaves from the soup.
Ladle the soup into bowls.
Garnish with chopped cilantro and green onion before serving.
Tips
Adjust the spice level by adding more or less chili to taste.
If you can't find galangal, ginger can be used as a substitute, though it does alter the flavor slightly.
For extra richness, you can add a tablespoon of coconut milk to the broth.
To enhance the sourness, you can add extra lime juice just before serving.
Ensure not to overcook the shrimp; they should be added last and cooked only until pink.