Creamy Tom Yum Soup Recipe

Tom Yum soup is an iconic dish that represents the essence of Thai cuisine-bold, tangy, spicy, and fragrant. But have you ever tried creamy Tom Yum soup? This version, known as Tom Yum Goong or Tom Yum Talay, brings the heat and the zesty flavors of the traditional dish, combined with the richness of coconut milk or cream. It’s a flavor-packed bowl of comfort that’s both refreshing and deeply satisfying.

Whether you’ve had the pleasure of tasting it in Thailand or you’re simply exploring the world of Thai food from your kitchen, a creamy Tom Yum soup is guaranteed to give you an unforgettable experience. In this post, I’ll guide you through every step of the recipe, share tips, variations, and insights into the ingredients that make this dish so special.

This recipe takes the classic, hot-and-sour Tom Yum soup to the next level by infusing it with a silky, creamy texture. It perfectly balances spicy, sour, salty, and sweet flavors. You can customize it to your liking, adding more heat or adjusting the richness based on your preference.

Ingredients Needed

Before you dive into the cooking, let’s break down the ingredients required to create this magical soup. Most of these should be available at your local Asian grocery store, or online.

Shrimp or Prawns (200-300g): Fresh shrimp are the star of this dish. Their natural sweetness contrasts perfectly with the spice and tanginess of the broth.
Coconut Milk (1 can or ~400ml): This is the creamy base for your soup, adding a rich, smooth texture and balancing the spiciness.
Lemongrass (2 stalks): The long, green stalks of lemongrass impart a citrusy, aromatic flavor that’s essential for Tom Yum’s authenticity.
Kaffir Lime Leaves (6-8 leaves): These leaves are a must for adding a sharp, citrusy flavor that’s distinctly Thai.
Galangal (2-3 slices): Similar to ginger but with a more earthy and slightly spicy taste, galangal is a key ingredient in authentic Thai cooking.
Thai Bird’s Eye Chilies (3-5): For heat. These little chilies pack a punch, so adjust the number based on how spicy you like it.
Fish Sauce (3 tbsp): The salty and umami element that defines the soup’s depth of flavor.
Lime Juice (2-3 tbsp): Fresh lime juice gives that vibrant sour note that brings the whole dish together.
Mushrooms (200g): Thai mushrooms or shiitake work great, offering an earthy texture and flavor that complements the shrimp.
Tomato (1 large, optional): Adds a slight sweetness and acidity, enhancing the overall soup flavor.
Coriander (Cilantro): For garnish, it adds freshness and color.
Sugar (1 tsp): Just a pinch to balance the flavors and mellow the sourness.
Water (2-3 cups): The broth base for your soup.

Cooking Instructions

Now that we’ve gathered our ingredients, let’s get to cooking! Here’s a step-by-step guide to making creamy Tom Yum soup at home.

Prepare The Aromatics
- Trim the lemongrass stalks and bruise them gently with the back of a knife to release their oils. Cut them into 2-inch pieces.
- Slice the galangal into thin pieces and remove any tough outer layers of the kaffir lime leaves. Tear the leaves into pieces to help release their flavor.
- If you’re using Thai bird’s eye chilies, give them a quick smash with the knife to release some of their heat.
Create The Broth
- In a large pot, bring 2-3 cups of water to a boil.
- Add in the lemongrass, galangal, kaffir lime leaves, chilies, and a pinch of sugar. Let this simmer for 10-15 minutes so that the flavors meld together.
Add Coconut Milk And Seasonings
- Once the broth has absorbed all those delicious aromas, pour in the coconut milk. Stir well.
- Add the fish sauce, lime juice, and optional sugar if you prefer a bit more sweetness. Taste the broth and adjust the balance of salt, sourness, or heat according to your preference.
Add The Shrimp And Vegetables
- Toss in the shrimp, mushrooms, and tomato (if using). Allow the shrimp to cook for 3-4 minutes or until they turn pink and opaque.
- Keep an eye on the soup, making sure the mushrooms and other veggies are tender but not overcooked.
Finish With Fresh Herbs
- Once everything is cooked and the flavors have come together, remove from heat and garnish with fresh coriander leaves.
Serve And Enjoy
- Ladle the soup into bowls and serve hot. The soup should be a perfect balance of spicy, tangy, savory, and creamy.

Ingredient Insights

Let’s take a deeper look at some of the key ingredients that make this creamy Tom Yum soup stand out:

Coconut Milk: Unlike dairy cream, coconut milk offers a natural, slightly sweet creaminess that pairs perfectly with the sharp flavors of lime and chili.
Lemongrass: This herb is often described as having a “lemony” flavor, but it also carries a subtle grassy, herbal undertone. It’s aromatic and provides an intense citrus fragrance.
Kaffir Lime Leaves: These are not your ordinary lime leaves. They offer an aromatic, bold lime fragrance that’s far more intense than regular lime zest. They give Tom Yum its characteristic zest.
Galangal: Often confused with ginger, galangal has a sharper, peppery flavor. It’s also an essential component in making Tom Yum authentic and unique.
Fish Sauce: This fermented condiment adds a deep umami flavor, saltiness, and complexity to the soup, enhancing all the other ingredients.

Expert Tips

Control the heat: If you’re not sure about how much heat you can handle, start with fewer bird’s eye chilies and taste the soup as you go. You can always add more for an extra kick.
Keep the flavors balanced: Tom Yum should strike a perfect balance between spicy, sour, salty, and sweet. If it feels too sour, add a touch more sugar. If it’s too salty, balance it with a little more lime juice or water.
Don’t overcook the shrimp: Shrimp cook very quickly. Overcooking can make them tough. As soon as they turn pink, your soup is good to go.
Add herbs at the end: Adding fresh cilantro or Thai basil as a garnish right before serving helps preserve their vibrant color and freshness.

Recipe Variations

Chicken Tom Yum: For a non-seafood version, swap the shrimp for chicken. Use boneless thighs for a richer flavor.
Vegetarian Version: Skip the shrimp and fish sauce. Use tofu for protein and vegetable broth to maintain the soup’s depth of flavor.
Tom Yum with Noodles: For a heartier meal, add a handful of rice noodles or egg noodles. This will transform the soup into a satisfying main course.

Final Words

Making creamy Tom Yum soup at home is an adventure in itself. From the fresh, zingy lemongrass to the smooth coconut milk and the intense burst of lime and chili, every spoonful is a sensory explosion. It’s a dish that brings people together, offering warmth on a cold day or a burst of brightness when you’re craving something different. With just a few key ingredients, you can recreate this Thai classic in your own kitchen, adjusting the flavors to your liking.

Creamy Tom Yum Soup Recipe