The world-renowned tom yam goong is the quintessential classic of Thai cuisine. Piquant and spicy, this fiery soup makes liberal use of fragrant herbs including galangal, lemon grass, kaffir lime leaves, shallot, tamarind and chili pepper. Tom yam comes in two versions, a clear spicy soup and a thicker spicy soup made by adding coconut milk or even cream. The soup is usually made with prawns but mixed seafood or chicken can equally be used. Mushrooms are often also added.
Tom yam goong – spicy prawn soup – is probably the best-known Thai dish of all, a true classic that blends sour, salt, spicy and sweet tastes as no other dish.