Tom Yum Goong – Thai Shrimp Soup

Here is an authentic recipe for Tom Yum Goong, a spicy Thai shrimp soup. This dish is famous for its perfect balance of sour, salty, spicy, and slightly sweet flavors.

Ingredients for 2 people:

• 3 river shrimp (or tiger shrimp), peeled with the tails left intact
• 100 g straw mushrooms (or button mushrooms, cut in half)
• 10 g lemongrass, finely sliced
• 16 g lemongrass, cut into 5 cm pieces
• 2 g coriander root (if available, otherwise use coriander stems)
• 3 kaffir lime leaves, torn in half
• 300 g bone broth (chicken or shrimp)
• 10 g bird’s eye chili, slightly crushed (adjust according to your spice tolerance)
• 3 tablespoons fish sauce
• 3 tablespoons lime juice
• 120 g condensed milk (unsweetened)
• 2 tablespoons chili paste (Nam Prik Pao)
• Fresh coriander, chopped for garnish

Instructions:

Prepare the ingredients:

• Prepare the shrimp: Peel the shrimp, leaving the tails intact. Remove the dorsal veins and rinse the shrimp under cold water. Set aside.

• Prepare the aromatics: Cut the lemongrass into two portions: one part into thin slices and the other into 5 cm pieces. Tear the kaffir lime leaves to release their aroma. If you have coriander roots, clean them well.

• Prepare the mushrooms: Cut the straw mushrooms in half or quarters if they are large.

Cooking the soup:

• Prepare the broth: In a large pot, bring the bone broth to a boil. Add the lemongrass pieces, coriander roots, and kaffir lime leaves. Simmer for 5 minutes to infuse the flavors.

• Add the shrimp and mushrooms: Add the peeled shrimp and straw mushrooms to the broth. Cook for about 3-5 minutes, until the shrimp turn pink and opaque, and the mushrooms are tender.

• Season the soup: Add the crushed bird’s eye chili, fish sauce, lime juice, condensed milk, and chili paste. Mix well and cook for another 1-2 minutes.

Finishing and serving:

The fish sauce should be added while the water is boiling. This will give it a good aroma and not a fishy smell. Add the lime juice when you turn off the heat and remove from the stove. It will have a pleasant aroma and no bitter taste. Taste the soup and adjust the seasoning according to your preferences. Serve the soup hot in bowls, garnished with chopped fresh coriander.

Enjoy! Tom Yum Goong is a vibrant and aromatic soup, perfect for spice lovers. It is ideal for warming up on cold days or for an authentic Thai culinary experience at home.