Tom yum soup is a kind of Thai soup that is known for its broth which is both savory, spicy, and sour. In translation from its Thai name, tom yum is also sometimes spelled tom yam and dom yam. All three of these spellings, however, refer to the same dish. Tom yum is very popular in Thailand and in Thai restaurants abroad. In fact, it is arguably one of the most popular Thai dishes worldwide.

Tom yum broth is made with fish sauce, galangal, shallots, lemon grass, lime leaves, lime juice, and tamarind. Crushed chilies are also added to the basic stock to give it its spiciness. It is also the chili that lends the characteristic deep orange color to the broth. A distinguishing characteristic of tom yum soup is the generous amount of herbs that are used in its creation. The soup is often topped with a small pile of fresh cilantro leaves, which are also known as “coriander.” Straw or oyster mushrooms, or both, are also a part of most tom yum soup recipes.

In addition to a tasty broth topped with fresh fragrant greens, tom yum soup also generally includes proteins. While some Thai restaurants in the West offer tom yum soup with tofu, this is not a traditional way of serving the dish. Rather, the common proteins added to tom yum broth are chicken, shrimp or prawns, fish, or a mix of seafood. Depending on which type of protein is added to the soup, the name of the dish is modified. The key below will teach you to distinguish between the different kinds of the soup:

• Tom yum gai: Tom yum soup with chicken
• Tom yum goong: Tom yum soup with prawns or shrimp
• Tom yum pla: Tom yum soup with fish
• Tom yum talay/Tom yum po taek: Tom yum soup with mixed seafood.
• Tom yum khon: A less popular version of the soup in which coconut milk is added to the broth

  Some food manufacturers offer a tom yum paste that is made of the basic ingredients in tom yum soup. This paste can be reconstituted into a broth to make tom yum soup. Traditionally, however, the soup is meant to be made with mostly fresh ingredients. While the paste may offer nice flavor, it may not be exactly like that of the traditional soup.