Tom yum or tom yam  is a type of hot and sour Thai soup,usually cooked with shrimp (prawn).Tom yum has its origin in Thailand. In recent years,tom yam has been popularised around the world.

The words “tom yam” are derived from two Thai words. Tom refers to the boiling process, while yam refers to a Thai spicy and sour salad. Indeed, tom yum is characterised by its distinct hot and sour flavours, with fragrant spices and herbs generously used in the broth. The basic broth is made of stock and fresh ingredients such as lemongrasskaffir lime leaves, galangallimejuice, fish sauce, and crushed chili peppers.

How to prepare it:
  • The taste of Tom yum is based on the sour and spicy tastes. A paste called Nam prik pao is prepared as a base of the soup, to which water and other herbs and meat are added. The Nam prik pao is made from roasted chilies, shallots, and garlic and the ingredients are best grilled on charcoal fire.
    The basic ingredient of Tom yum is shrimp or pork.
  • If shrimp is the base ingredient, put it in soup after the soup boils.
  • If pork is the base ingredient, put it in the soup before it boils. The most popular Tom yum base is river shrimp called “Tom yum Goong”.The essential ingredients of Tom yum are herbs such as lemongrass, galangal, kaffir lime leaves.
  • Other ingredients are also important especially Thai chilies, mushroom, coriander leaf (cilantro), tomatoes, sweet white onions, lime juice, sugar, and fish sauce. “Tom yum nam khon” is a variety with coconut milk or evaporated milk.
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