Tom Yum Goong ต้มยำกุ้ง
Hot-and-sour prawn soup with lemongrass, galangal, kaffir lime leaf, chilli and lime — the taste most people think of as “Thai”.
- Spice:
- 🌶🌶🌶 Spicy
- Also spelled:
- tom yam kung, tom yum soup
What is Tom Yum Goong?
Tom yum goong is built on a handful of aromatics — bruised lemongrass, slices of galangal, torn kaffir lime leaves and fresh chilli — simmered briefly with prawns, then finished off the heat with lime juice and fish sauce so the sourness stays bright.
There are two main styles. Tom yum nam sai is clear and sharp. Tom yum nam khon is creamy and orange, enriched with evaporated milk or coconut milk and roasted chilli paste (nam prik pao); the best versions use the prawn heads to colour the broth.
The aromatics are there for flavour, not to be eaten — leave the lemongrass and galangal in the bowl.
Regional versions
In Bangkok it also comes as a noodle soup (kuay teow tom yum), and the late-night Mama instant-noodle tom yum at Jeh O is a city legend. In Ayutthaya, river prawns are the luxury version.
How to order it
“Nam khon” for creamy, “nam sai” for clear. Ask “phet noi” for less spicy.
Watch: Tom Yum Goong on YouTube
Embedded from the creators’ own channels (Mark Wiens, Pailin's Kitchen). View counts as of 14 Oct 2026.
Top 3 places not to miss for Tom Yum Goong
Only places backed by the MICHELIN Guide, reputable food press or a creator who filmed there; each one shows its source. We list fewer rather than pad the list.
- 1. Pe Aor (P’Aor) ร้านพี่อ้อPhetchaburi Soi 5, Ratchathewi, Bangkok
Creamy, shrimp-head-rich tom yum goong noodle soup with giant river prawns; a Mark Wiens favourite.
- Banthat Thong, near Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok
The late-night “Mama” instant-noodle tom yum with seafood and crispy pork that people queue hours for; Bib Gourmand.
- 3. Rung Rueang Pork Noodle Bib GourmandSukhumvit Soi 26, Bangkok
Tom yum-style pork and fish-ball noodles at a bargain; MICHELIN Bib Gourmand.Tom yum pork noodles rather than prawn soup.
More by city: Bangkok food map