Tom Yum Goong
Hot-and-sour prawn soup electric with lemongrass and lime. ยท Thailand
Hot-and-sour prawn soup electric with lemongrass and lime.
About Tom Yum Goong
A clear or creamy broth crackling with lemongrass, galangal, kaffir lime, chilli and prawns, simultaneously sour, spicy, salty and aromatic. It practically clears the senses.
๐๏ธ History & Culture
Tom Yum Goong is a signature Thai hot-and-sour soup, typically made with fresh prawns, lemongrass, galangal, kaffir lime leaves, chilies, and lime juice. Its origins are debated, but it is widely considered a central Thai dish that rose to national prominence in the 20th century, with some linking its popularity to the abundance of river prawns in the countryโs central plains.
Regional variations exist, such as the clear broth version (tom yum nam sai) common in Bangkok and the creamy version (tom yum nam khon) that adds evaporated milk or coconut cream, often favored in tourist areas and northern Thailand. The dish is culturally significant as a symbol of Thai culinary identityโbalancing the four core flavors of sour, spicy, salty, and sweetโand is often served as a communal sharing dish, reflecting the importance of harmony and balance in Thai dining traditions.
Recipes from travellers
No one has shared their own Tom Yum Goong recipe yet. Yours would be the first.
Share how you make Tom Yum Goong
You'll need to be signed in with Google or Facebook so your name can appear on it. Recipes go through an automatic food-safety check before they publish.
Sign in to share your recipe
Tom Yum Goong โ frequently asked questions
What is Tom Yum Goong?
A clear or creamy broth crackling with lemongrass, galangal, kaffir lime, chilli and prawns, simultaneously sour, spicy, salty and aromatic. It practically clears the senses.
What is Tom Yum Goong made of?
Tom Yum Goong is made with prawns, lemongrass, galangal, kaffir lime and chilli.
Where does Tom Yum Goong come from?
Tom Yum Goong comes from Thailand, and is especially associated with Central Thailand. Tom Yum Goong is a signature Thai hot-and-sour soup, typically made with fresh prawns, lemongrass, galangal, kaffir lime leaves, chilies, and lime juice.
Where can I eat Tom Yum Goong?
A Thai seafood restaurant; ask for the richer "nam khon" version with chilli paste.
Taste Tom Yum Goong in Bangkok
Independent picks. We earn a small commission if you book through these โ at no extra cost to you. How this works.
โ Before you go to Thailand
Round out your trip โ most travellers book these alongside their trip.
More dishes like Tom Yum Goong
Khao Pad
Thai fried rice brightened with lime and fish sauce.
Khanom Krok
Coconut-rice custard cooked in a dimpled pan.
Khao Soi
Northern coconut curry noodles topped with crispy noodles.
Pad Krapow
Fiery basil stir-fry over rice with a crispy fried egg.
Mango Sticky Rice
Steamed glutinous rice soaked in salted coconut cream, served with slices of ripe mango.
Mu Nam Tok
Hailing from Thailand, Mu Nam Tok is a much-loved salad.
Poulet ร la Moambe
Chicken stewed in rich palm-fruit sauce.
Papas de Sarrabulho
Papas de Sarrabulho counts among the traditional food of Portugal, a stew locals hold dear.
Rfissa
Chicken and lentils over shredded msemen in fenugreek broth.
Perkelt od Podolca
A Slavonian beef stew made from the Podolac cattle breed, slow-cooked with onion and a heavy hand of paprika until the sauce turns brick-red โ served with rezanci noodles.
Clapassade
From France, Clapassade is a well-known stew.
xo Sauce
xo Sauce is a beloved sauce, traditional to China.
Hotteok
Chewy griddle pancake oozing molten brown-sugar syrup.
Omija-cha
Omija-cha counts among the traditional food of South Korea, a herbal infusion locals hold dear.
Nasi Goreng
Indonesia's iconic fried rice โ day-old rice, sweet kecap manis, sambal, and a runny fried egg on top.
Modak
Steamed rice dumplings filled with coconut and jaggery.
- ๐น๐ญ Khao Pad · Thailand
- ๐น๐ญ Khanom Krok · Thailand
- ๐น๐ญ Khao Soi · Thailand
- ๐น๐ญ Pad Krapow · Thailand
- ๐น๐ญ Mango Sticky Rice · Thailand
- ๐น๐ญ Mu Nam Tok · Thailand
- ๐จ๐ฉ Poulet ร la Moambe · DR Congo
- ๐ต๐น Papas de Sarrabulho · Portugal
- ๐ฒ๐ฆ Rfissa · Morocco
- ๐ญ๐ท Perkelt od Podolca · Croatia
- ๐ซ๐ท Clapassade · France
- ๐จ๐ณ xo Sauce · China
- ๐ฐ๐ท Hotteok · South Korea
- ๐ฐ๐ท Omija-cha · South Korea
- ๐ฎ๐ฉ Nasi Goreng · Indonesia
- ๐ฎ๐ณ Modak · India
Travel guides for Thailand
All travel guides →Planning a trip where Tom Yum Goong is on the menu? These guides cover Thailand and beyond.
Destination Guides Bangkok Travel Guide 2026: Temples, Street Food and Where to Stay
May 16, 2026 · 5 min read
Budget Travel Southeast Asia on a Budget: Thailand, Vietnam & Bali Guide for 2026
Apr 13, 2026 · 8 min read
Budget Travel The Price of a Plate: What the National Dish Costs in 50 Countries (2026 Index)
Sep 02, 2026 · 6 min read
Travel Tips How to Avoid Tourist Traps: A Practical Guide for Smarter Travel (2026)
Jul 21, 2026 · 6 min read
Reviews
No reviews yet. Be the first to share your experience with Tom Yum Goong.
Write a review
Sign in to verify you're a real person, then share your thoughts on Tom Yum Goong.
Comments
No comments yet. Be the first to say something about Tom Yum Goong.