Tom Yum Goong Recipe | Authentic Shrimp Tom Yum at Home

If you love Thai food, then you already know Tom Yum Goong is not just a soup—it’s a complete flavor explosion. This famous Thai hot and sour soup is spicy, tangy, aromatic, and incredibly comforting. The combination of lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, galangal, chili, lime juice, and juicy shrimp creates that bold Thai taste that feels restaurant-quality.

The best part? You can make Tom Yum Goong at home in under 30 minutes with easy ingredients and simple steps. Whether you’re feeling sick, craving something warm, or just want an authentic Thai meal vibe at home—this soup is perfect.

Let’s make the real, flavorful Tom Yum Goong Thai hot sour soup the CookWithBisht way 😄🍜🔥

Quick Recipe Info

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15–20 minutes
Total Time: 25–30 minutes
Servings: 3–4 bowls
Difficulty: Easy

What is Tom Yum Goong?

Tom Yum Goong is a popular Thai soup made with:
✅ shrimp (goong)
✅ a fragrant broth infused with Thai herbs
✅ mushrooms
✅ spicy + sour flavor balance
✅ optional creamy coconut milk version

The “Tom Yum” flavor profile is famous worldwide because it has everything:

Heat (from chilies/chili paste)
Sourness (lime juice)
Saltiness (fish sauce)
Mild sweetness (optional sugar)
Strong aroma (lemongrass, lime leaves, galangal)

This soup is often served as a starter, but honestly—it’s so flavorful that it can easily become the main recipe too.

Ingredients for Tom Yum Goong (Thai Hot and Sour Soup)

For the Soup Base

4 cups water (or chicken/seafood stock for deeper flavor)
2 stalks lemongrass (cut into 2–3 inch pieces, lightly crushed)
5–6 kaffir lime leaves (tear slightly to release aroma)
1 inch galangal (sliced)
✅ If not available: use ginger (taste will be slightly different but still good)

For the Main Soup

200–250g shrimp (cleaned, deveined)
1 cup mushrooms (button mushrooms or oyster mushrooms)
2–3 Thai red chilies (crushed)
✅ Use green chilies if needed

For the Signature Tom Yum Flavor

2 tbsp Thai chili paste (Nam Prik Pao)
✅ This gives that deep spicy-sweet flavor and slightly red color
2–3 tbsp fish sauce (adjust to taste)
2 tbsp lime juice (fresh only)
1 tsp sugar (optional, but helps balance sour + spicy)

Optional (For Creamy Tom Yum)

1/2 cup coconut milk OR evaporated milk

For Garnish

Fresh coriander (cilantro)
Spring onions (optional)
Lime wedge (optional)

Tools You’ll Need

Deep pot / saucepan
Knife + chopping board
Ladle
Strainer (optional)

Step-by-Step Tom Yum Goong Recipe

Step 1: Prepare the Shrimp

Clean shrimp properly.
Remove shell (optional) and devein.
Keep shrimp aside.

✅ Tip:
You can keep the shrimp shells to make a quick stock for extra seafood flavor.

Step 2: Boil the Aromatic Thai Herb Base

In a pot, add 4 cups water (or stock).
Add:
- lemongrass
- kaffir lime leaves
- galangal slices
Bring to a boil.
Simmer for 5–7 minutes on medium flame.

✅ This step builds the signature Thai aroma.

Step 3: Add Mushrooms

Add sliced mushrooms into the broth.
Cook for 3–4 minutes until slightly soft.

✅ Mushrooms absorb the flavor and make the soup feel rich.

Step 4: Add Thai Chilies

Add crushed Thai chilies.
Simmer for 1 minute.

🔥 Spice tip:
For mild soup, add 1 chili.
For medium, add 2–3 chilies.
For Thai-style spicy, add 4+ chilies.

Step 5: Add Thai Chili Paste (Nam Prik Pao)

Add 2 tbsp chili paste.
Stir well until it dissolves into the soup.

✅ This gives Tom Yum its signature color and bold depth.

Step 6: Add Shrimp and Cook

Add shrimp to the soup.
Cook for 2–3 minutes only, until shrimp turns pink.

⚠️ Do not overcook shrimp, otherwise it becomes rubbery.

Step 7: Season with Fish Sauce + Sugar

Now add:

fish sauce
sugar (optional)

Mix well and simmer for 1 minute.

✅ Always taste the soup here.
It should be:

salty enough
bold and spicy
not sour yet (lime goes later)

Step 8: Turn Off Heat and Add Lime Juice

Now turn off the flame and add fresh lime juice.

✅ This is important because boiling lime juice can make it taste bitter and dull.

Now your authentic Tom Yum Goong Thai hot and sour soup is ready.

Creamy Tom Yum Goong Version (Optional)

If you love creamy Thai soups, you can easily make Tom Yum Nam Khon style.

How to Make It Creamy

After adding shrimp and fish sauce:
✅ Add 1/2 cup coconut milk
✅ Mix gently and simmer for 1–2 minutes
✅ Then switch off flame and add lime juice at the end

This version tastes:

richer
slightly less spicy
more comforting

Perfect for beginners who want a softer flavor.

What Makes Tom Yum Goong Taste Authentic?

To get restaurant-style results, these are the key ingredients:

✅ Lemongrass
✅ Kaffir lime leaves
✅ Galangal
✅ Thai chili paste (Nam Prik Pao)
✅ Fish sauce
✅ Fresh lime juice

If you miss one or two ingredients, the soup will still taste good, but these are what give the real Thai Tom Yum flavor.

Best Shrimp for Tom Yum Soup

Use medium to large shrimp for best bite.

✅ Fresh shrimp = best flavor
✅ Frozen shrimp = totally fine (thaw fully before cooking)

Pro tip:
If you want extra seafood flavor, add shrimp heads/shells while boiling the broth, then strain it.

Tom Yum Goong Variations

1) Tom Yum Chicken Soup

Replace shrimp with chicken pieces or shredded chicken.

2) Tom Yum Veg Soup

Replace fish sauce with soy sauce.
Add tofu + extra mushrooms + baby corn.

3) Tom Yum with Noodles

Add cooked rice noodles into the soup and enjoy it like a full meal.

4) Extra Sour Tom Yum

Add more lime juice and a little extra tamarind water (optional).

5) Tom Yum with Rice

Serve hot Tom Yum soup with steamed rice—simple and satisfying.

Tips to Make the BEST Tom Yum Goong at Home

✅ Lightly crush lemongrass for stronger aroma
✅ Tear kaffir lime leaves before adding
✅ Do not boil lime juice
✅ Cook shrimp only 2–3 minutes
✅ Use stock instead of plain water for deeper taste
✅ Balance flavors (spicy + sour + salty)

Serving Suggestions

Tom Yum Goong tastes best with:

✅ Steamed jasmine rice
✅ Sticky rice
✅ Thai fried rice
✅ Spring rolls
✅ Garlic bread (fusion but surprisingly good)

If you want a full Thai-style meal, you can serve Tom Yum with:

stir-fried noodles
Thai basil chicken
simple cucumber salad

Storage & Shelf Life

How to Store Tom Yum Soup

✅ Store in an airtight container in the fridge for 1–2 days

Reheating Tips

Reheat on low flame
Avoid overboiling (shrimp will turn chewy)
If possible, add fresh lime juice again after reheating for fresh flavor

⚠️ Tom Yum tastes best fresh because herbs lose aroma over time.

Nutrition (Approx Per Serving)

Calories: 150–220 kcal
Protein: 18–25g
Carbs: 8–12g
Fat: 6–10g

✅ Creamy version will have higher calories due to coconut milk.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

❌ Overcooking shrimp
❌ Adding lime juice while boiling
❌ Using too much sugar (Tom Yum should not taste sweet)
❌ Skipping aromatics like lemongrass + lime leaves
❌ Using only chili powder (won’t taste Thai-style)
❌ Not tasting and adjusting fish sauce/lime balance

Conclusion

This Tom Yum Goong Thai hot and sour soup is one of the most flavorful soups you can make at home, and it brings true Thai restaurant vibes to your kitchen. It’s quick, comforting, spicy, and full of fresh aromatic herbs.

If you’re looking for a soup that instantly wakes up your taste buds and feels satisfying without being heavy—Tom Yum Goong is a perfect choice.