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Authentic Thai Tom Yum Goong (Spicy Shrimp Soup)

A close-up of a white bowl filled with bright red tom yum soup, featuring large shrimp and sliced mushrooms, garnished with cilantro.
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Make authentic Thai Tom Yum Goong, the famous spicy shrimp soup, easily at home. This recipe delivers the signature hot and sour flavor using fresh, aromatic herbs.

Ingredients

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

Instructions

  1. In a large pot, bring the broth to a boil. Add the bruised lemongrass, sliced galangal, and torn kaffir lime leaves. Simmer for 10 minutes to infuse the broth with flavor.
  2. Add the crushed chilies and mushrooms to the pot. Cook until the mushrooms soften, about 3 minutes.
  3. Add the shrimp to the pot. Cook until they turn pink and opaque, about 2-3 minutes. Do not overcook.
  4. Remove the pot from the heat. Stir in the fish sauce, fresh lime juice, sugar, and chili paste in oil. Taste and adjust seasoning for the right balance of spicy, sour, and salty.
  5. Remove and discard the lemongrass stalks and galangal slices before serving, as they are tough to eat.
  6. Ladle the soup into bowls. Garnish generously with fresh cilantro.

Notes

  • For a creamy version, stir in 2 tablespoons of evaporated milk or coconut milk at the end, before adding the lime juice.
  • If you cannot find galangal, use an equal amount of fresh ginger, though the flavor will differ slightly.
  • This soup is a great alternative to complex meal planning; it is quick enough for a weeknight dinner.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://blissbatter.com/tom-yum-soup-authentic-thai-shrimp-recipe/