Thai Tom Yum Goong Soup

about Tom Yum Goong, a popular Thai soup found in many restaurants in the USA.

Tom Yum Goong is a classic Thai soup made with shrimp, lemongrass, lime leaves, and mushrooms in a spicy and sour broth. The name "Tom Yum" literally means "boil drum" in Thai, which refers to the traditional method of cooking the soup in a clay pot over a charcoal stove. Goong means shrimp in Thai.

Here are some key ingredients you'll find in Tom Yum Goong:

1. Shrimp: This is the protein that gives the soup its name, and it's usually made with large shrimp that are cooked in the soup.

2. Lemongrass: This is a staple ingredient in Thai cooking, and it adds a citrusy and slightly sour flavor to the soup.

3. Lime leaves: These leaves have a distinctive citrus flavor and are commonly used in Thai cooking.

4. Mushrooms: Commonly used mushrooms in Tom Yum Goong are straw mushrooms, oyster mushrooms, and button mushrooms.

5. Coconut milk: This adds richness and creaminess to the soup.

6. Chilies: This gives the soup its spicy kick.commonly used chilies in Tom Yum Goong are Thai chili peppers or jalapeños.

7. Fish sauce: This adds saltiness and depth of flavor to the soup.

8. Lime juice: This adds a sour and tangy flavor to the soup.

9. Palm sugar or brown sugar: adds sweetness to balance out the spicy and sour flavors.

10. Tamarind paste: A sweet and sour paste made from tamarind fruit, it adds depth and complexity to the soup.

11. Tom Yum paste: This is a pre-made paste that combines many of the spices and flavors above, and it's commonly used as a substitute for making the soup from scratch.

If you're interested in trying Tom Yum Goong, you can find it on the menu at many Thai restaurants in the USA. It's usually served steaming hot, garnished with cilantro leaves, and accompanied by a side of jasmine rice. Enjoy!