Thai · Healthy

Tom Yum Goong

The hot-and-sour prawn soup that defines Thai cooking: lemongrass, galangal and lime leaf simmered into a broth, then sharpened with lime and fish sauce off the heat.

4.8(2,166)Rated 4.8 out of 5 from 2166 reviews 35 min total Serves 4 servings Easy
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Tom Yum Goong — thai healthy recipe, served and ready to eat
Ingredients and preparation for tom yum goong
Ingredients and preparation for tom yum goong

Method

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  1. Fry the reserved prawn shells in a dry pot over high heat for 3 minutes until pink and fragrant, then add the stock and simmer 10 minutes. Strain and return the broth to the pot — this small step doubles the depth.

  2. Add the lemongrass, galangal, lime leaves and bruised chillies and simmer for 8 minutes to infuse.

  3. Stir in the chilli jam until dissolved, then add the mushrooms and tomatoes and cook 3 minutes.

  4. Add the prawns and shallots and poach for 2 minutes, until they have just turned opaque. Do not overcook them.

  5. Take the pot off the heat completely.

  6. Now season with the fish sauce, lime juice and sugar, tasting as you go. It should be aggressively sour, then salty, then hot.

  7. Stir through the coriander and serve immediately, leaving the aromatics in the bowl as garnish.

Chef’s Tips

  • Galangal is not ginger and there is no substitute — its pine-citrus note is the backbone of the soup.
  • Season off the heat, always. Boiling the lime juice makes it bitter within a minute.
  • For tom yum nam khon, the creamy version, stir in 3 tablespoons of evaporated milk at the end.

Pairing Suggestions

  • A cold lager or a very dry Riesling
  • Serve with jasmine rice to temper the heat
  • Follow with mango sticky rice

Storage & Reheating

The broth base keeps 3 days refrigerated. Poach the prawns and add the seasoning fresh each time.

Nutritional Highlights

Per serving, calculated from the ingredient list. Treat these as an estimate — brands and cuts vary.

186Calories
24gProtein
12gCarbs
5gFat
2gFibre
6gSugar
1680mgSodium

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