If you’ve ever been to a Thai restaurant, you’ve likely seen tom yum soup on the menu. The soup is so popular because of its amazing flavor, plus it has several health benefits. Learn more about this soup in the following guide.

Taste & Ingredients

Tom yum soup, sometimes called tom yam or tom yum goong, is a hot and sour Thai soup. Its broth is made from a combination of fresh and stock ingredients, including kaffir lime leaves, lime juice, fish sauce, galangal, crushed peppers, and lemongrass. These are mixed together, crushed, then fried in oil to create a paste. 

Tom yum usually includes shrimp, but other meats like pork can be substituted. Shrimp is put in the soup after it boils, and pork is added before it boils.

Other common ingredients include Thai chilies, mushroom, coriander leaves, tomatoes, sweet white onions, lime juice, sugar, and fish sauce.

The soup offers a striking balance of sour, spicy, and creamy.

Nutritional & Medical Benefits

Tom yum soup is not only delicious but also healthy. It’s low in cholesterol, which can cause plaque to stick to your arteries. It’s also a good source of Vitamin A, manganese, and selenium.

Tom yum soup contains lemongrass, which has many medicinal benefits. It may help prevent the growth of bacteria and yeast. It also has antioxidant properties and can relieve pain and swelling.

Kaffir leaves are another Thai restaurant staple ingredient used in tom yum soup. Their smell helps relieve stress, and their antibiotic qualities boost the immune system. They also contain antioxidants, which prevent cell damage from oxidation.

If you're in the mood to try tom yum soup, head to Thailand Cuisine 2 in Kahului and Kihei, HI. Their homemade tom yum comes in mild, medium, and hot varieties so you can enjoy your preferred level of spice. Visit their website to view their extensive menu, which caters to vegetarians as well. Call the Kahului location at (808) 873-0225 or Kihei at (808) 875-0839 with any questions.