Are you looking for something delicious in Thailand? You’re in the right place. Let me tell you about one of Thailand’s most delightful dishes. This globally renowned meal is a must-try. I assure you, you won’t regret it. Here is everything you need to know about Tom Yum Soup. Bon appétit in advance.
What is Tom Yum Soup?
Tom yum’ or ‘tom yam’ is one of Thailand’s most popular dishes. As a result, you can find this soup everywhere in Thailand. It has an incredible taste. Knowing its popularity, the first thing I tried when I came to Thailand was this soup. It is served hot and sour. There are many different versions, but the most popular one is made with shrimp. However, it can also be made with any meat or seafood. It’s very healthy and has a very low calorie density. It’s so famous in Thailand that it has led to the creation of other dishes like tom yum spaghetti, tom yum fried rice, and even tom yum pizza introduced by Pizza Hut.
Where does the name come from?
The name ‘Tom yam’ consists of two Thai words. ‘Tom’ refers to boiling or boiling process, while ‘yam’ means ‘mixed’ or ‘mixed up.
What are the ingredients?
- 4 cups of water or chicken broth
- 8 medium to large shrimp
- 5-6 Kaffir lime/Makrut lime leaves
- 1 Lemongrass stalk
- 7-8 thin slices of Galangal
- 2 cloves of garlic
- 2 small pieces of Thai chilies (if you want it spicy)
- 3-4 tablespoons of Thai chili paste/chili jam
- 1/2 cup of fresh lime juice
- 3 tablespoons of fish sauce (available at any market)
- 1-2 teaspoons of sugar
- 300 grams of any type of Asian mushrooms (such as oyster, shimeji, enoki, or fresh shiitake)
- Cilantro for garnish; substitute with green onions if you don’t like cilantro
- Evaporated Milk or Coconut Milk (available at any market)
Preparation Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 15 minutes
How is it made?
The preparation is quite simple. The key tip is to gather the ingredients. Then, simply boiling these ingredients is sufficient.
- Add the water to a pot.
- Then, add the lemongrass, galangal, garlic, cilantro, Makrut lime leaves, and Thai chilies.
- Cook for 5 minutes.
- Add the mushrooms and cook for 1-2 minutes.
- Add the shrimp, bring the soup back to a boil, then turn off the heat.
- Allow the residual heat of the soup for the next 2 minutes to cook the shrimp thoroughly.
- Add the Thai chili paste and fish sauce. Stir to dissolve the chili paste.
- Add the milk and after stirring a bit, add the lime juice and taste. Add sugar if necessary. Ready to serve! Enjoy your meal 🙂
Note: The herbs are for flavoring purposes only. They are not meant to be eaten.
Why should you taste it?
- One of Thailand’s most famous dishes.
- Only 250 calories
- Very healthy
- It is light and rich in protein due to the abundance of mushrooms
- Rich in nutrients
What is the history of Tom Yum soup?
The origins of Tom Yum soup are surrounded by different legends, yet there is no universally accepted version. According to one of the oldest resources, a Thai boatman tried a soup made with lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, galangal, and shrimp paste while trading in China. Another perspective suggests that the roots of Tom Yum might extend to India, where variations of hot and sour shrimp soups have been known. A third narrative suggests that Tom Yum was found in an ancient notebook, believed to be created by a chef during the reign of Thailand’s King Rama V. Over time, this soup has become a significant part of Thai cuisine and serves as a symbolic dish for the country.
