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Authentic Tom Yum Goong (Spicy Shrimp Soup)

A close-up of vibrant, spicy Tom Yum soup filled with large shrimp, white fish balls, and fresh cilantro.
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Make authentic Thai Tom Yum Goong easily at home. This recipe focuses on achieving the signature hot, sour, and aromatic broth using fresh ingredients for restaurant-quality flavor.

Ingredients

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  • 6 cups chicken or vegetable broth
  • 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 2 stalks lemongrass, trimmed and bruised
  • 1 inch piece galangal, thinly sliced
  • 4 kaffir lime leaves, torn
  • 2–3 Thai chilies, crushed (adjust to heat preference)
  • 1/2 cup straw mushrooms, halved
  • 3 tablespoons fish sauce
  • 3 tablespoons fresh lime juice
  • 1 teaspoon chili paste in oil (Nam Prik Pao)
  • 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped, for garnish
  • 1/4 cup fresh Thai basil leaves, for garnish

Instructions

  1. Bring the broth to a boil in a medium pot.
  2. Add the bruised lemongrass, sliced galangal, torn kaffir lime leaves, and crushed chilies to the boiling broth. Reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes to infuse the flavors.
  3. Strain the broth to remove the aromatics, or push them to the side if you prefer a rustic presentation. Return the infused broth to a simmer.
  4. Add the mushrooms and shrimp to the broth. Cook until the shrimp turn pink and opaque, about 3 to 4 minutes. Do not overcook the shrimp.
  5. Remove the pot from the heat. Stir in the fish sauce, fresh lime juice, and chili paste in oil until fully combined. Taste the broth and adjust seasoning—add more lime for sourness or fish sauce for saltiness.
  6. Ladle the soup into bowls. Garnish generously with fresh cilantro and Thai basil leaves before serving immediately.

Notes

  • For a clearer broth, strain out the lemongrass, galangal, and lime leaves before adding the shrimp.
  • If you cannot find galangal, use fresh ginger as a substitute, though the flavor profile will change slightly.
  • You can substitute chicken breast, sliced thinly, for shrimp; add the chicken earlier than the shrimp to ensure it cooks through.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://cookingbyfelix.com/easy-tom-yum-soup-recipe/