Thai Shrimp Soup

Here’s a fragrant, creamy, and slightly spicy Thai Shrimp Soup — also known as Tom Yum Goong or a Thai-inspired coconut shrimp soup. It’s easy to make and bursting with bold flavors like lemongrass, lime, chili, and coconut.

🥥🍤 Thai Shrimp Soup (Creamy Coconut Tom Yum Style)

✅ Ingredients:

• 1 lb (450g) shrimp, peeled and deveined

• 1 tbsp oil (vegetable, coconut, or sesame)

• 2–3 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated (or galangal if you have it)

• 1–2 stalks lemongrass, bruised and cut into large pieces (or 2 tsp lemongrass paste)

• 3–4 Kaffir lime leaves (optional but authentic)

• 4 cups chicken or seafood broth

• 1 can (13.5 oz) coconut milk

• 1–2 tbsp red Thai curry paste

• 2 tbsp fish sauce (or soy sauce for milder version)

• 1 tbsp brown sugar

• Juice of 1–2 limes (to taste)

• 1–2 cups mushrooms, sliced (shiitake or button)

• 1 small red chili, sliced (optional, for heat)

• Optional: ½ cup cherry tomatoes, halved

• Fresh cilantro or Thai basil, for garnish

• Cooked jasmine rice or rice noodles, for serving (optional)

🥣 Instructions:

1. Sauté aromatics:
   In a large pot, heat oil over medium heat. Add garlic, ginger, and lemongrass. Sauté for 1–2 minutes until fragrant.

2. Build the broth:
   Add broth, curry paste, lime leaves (if using), fish sauce, and sugar. Stir well. Bring to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes to infuse flavors.

3. Add mushrooms & coconut milk:
   Stir in mushrooms, tomatoes (if using), and coconut milk. Simmer another 5 minutes.

4. Cook the shrimp:
   Add shrimp and cook for 2–3 minutes, until just pink and opaque. Remove from heat immediately to avoid overcooking.

5. Finish with lime:
   Stir in lime juice. Taste and adjust: add more lime for acidity, fish sauce for salt, or sugar for balance.

6. Serve:
   Ladle into bowls. Garnish with fresh cilantro, basil, or sliced chili. Serve as-is or over rice/rice noodles.

🔄 Variations:

• Vegetarian: Use tofu and veggie broth; skip fish sauce or use soy sauce.

• Creamier: Add more coconut milk or a splash of heavy cream.

• Spicier: Add Thai chili flakes or extra curry paste.