Recipe

Tom Yum Goong Soup

Hot, sour, herby Thai shrimp soup with mushrooms and lime, ready in about 30 minutes.

By Matt Campbell

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4.8

A steaming bowl of Tom Yum Goong shrimp soup with mushrooms, cilantro, and red chile slices on a wooden table with lime wedges nearby

Tom Yum Goong is one of those soups that makes you sit up straighter after the first sip. It is bright and limey, a little spicy, deeply savory, and somehow both light and totally satisfying. You get that perfume from lemongrass and makrut lime leaves, the gentle bite of galangal or ginger, and a broth that tastes like it has been working on itself all day. It has not. It is just built smart.

This is my home-cook version for Moms Best Recipes: accessible ingredients, clear steps, and the little tricks that keep the flavors sharp instead of muddy. We are going for that classic clear Tom Yum vibe, not the creamy version. If you want creamy, I will show you the easy fork in the road.

Tom Yum Goong ingredients arranged on a kitchen counter: shrimp, mushrooms, lemongrass, limes, Thai chiles, fish sauce, sugar, cilantro, and broth

Why It Works

Bright, balanced broth: we add lime juice off the heat so it stays punchy and fresh.
Big flavor, low drama: aromatics infuse quickly, then you strain or fish them out, no complicated simmering.
Perfect shrimp texture: shrimp cook at the very end so they stay snappy, not rubbery.
Flexible heat and salt: you control chiles and fish sauce at the finish, which is the easiest way to nail the balance.

Pairs Well With

Storage Tips

Refrigerate: Store in an airtight container for up to 2 days. If possible, store the shrimp separately from the broth so they do not overcook when reheated.

Reheat: Warm gently on the stove over medium-low until just hot. Avoid a hard boil. Add a fresh squeeze of lime at the end to wake everything back up.

Freeze: The broth freezes well for up to 2 months, but shrimp can get a bit mealy after freezing. If you want freezer-friendly Tom Yum, freeze the broth with mushrooms, then add fresh shrimp when you reheat.

Common Questions

What is Tom Yum Goong?

Tom Yum Goong is a Thai hot and sour soup flavored with lemongrass, makrut lime leaves, galangal, chiles, fish sauce, and lime juice. Goong means shrimp.

Is Tom Yum supposed to be creamy?

Classic Tom Yum is often clear. The creamy version usually includes evaporated milk, coconut milk, or Thai chili paste (nam prik pao). This recipe is for clear Tom Yum, with an easy creamy option in the instructions.

What can I use instead of galangal and makrut lime leaves?

Use fresh ginger in place of galangal. For makrut lime leaves, use wide strips of lime zest (just the green part) plus a little extra lime juice at the end. It is not identical, but it gets you in the neighborhood.

Can I make this without fish sauce?

Yes. Swap soy sauce or tamari, then add a pinch more salt if needed. You will lose some of the signature funk, but the soup will still be delicious.

How spicy is it?

It depends on your chiles. Start with 1 to 2 Thai chiles, lightly smashed, and taste. You can always add more heat later with sliced chiles or chili oil.

Matt Campbell

I have always had a huge passion for the culinary arts, people, working as a team, and so on. I wanted to pursue my love for cooking initially at Virginia Commonwealth University with a culinary arts degree; however, I instead decided to apply myself and acquire more practical skills. My end goal is to eventually open my own restaurant or similar establishment.

Kitchen Essentials

Medium soup pot or Dutch oven (3 to 5 quart)
Chef’s knife and cutting board
Fine-mesh strainer (optional, for a cleaner broth)
Microplane or vegetable peeler (for lime zest strips if needed)
Ladle

The first time I tried making Tom Yum at home, I treated it like a regular soup and simmered everything forever. The result was fine, but flat. Tom Yum is a quick-hit flavor situation. You steep the aromatics like tea, then you finish with lime and fish sauce like you are dialing in a great vinaigrette. Now it is one of my favorite weeknight resets, the kind of bowl that makes leftovers and stress feel less loud.