Tom yum

Tom yum

Tom yam kung as served in Bangkok, Thailand
Alternative names	Tom yam
Type	Soup
Place of origin	Central Thailand
Associated national cuisine	Thai
Serving temperature	Hot
Main ingredients	, lemon grass, kaffir lime leaves, galangal, lime juice, fish sauce, chili peppers

Tom yum, rtgs: tom yam, Thai: ต้มยำ,  [tôm.jām]) is a Thai soup, usually cooked with shrimp. Tom yum is widely served in neighbouring countries such as Cambodia, Brunei, Malaysia, Singapore and Laos and has been popularised around the world.

The words "tom yam" are derived from two Thai words. "Tom" refers to the boiling process, while "yam" refers to a Thai spicy and sour salad. Indeed, tom yum is characterised by its distinct hot and sour flavours, with fragrant spices and herbs generously used in the broth. The basic broth is made of and fresh ingredients such as lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, galangal, lime juice, fish sauce, and crushed chili peppers.

Commercial tom yum paste is made by crushing all the herb ingredients and stir frying in oil. Seasoning and other preservative ingredients are then added. The paste is bottled or packaged and sold around the world. Tom yum flavored with the paste may have different characteristics from that made with fresh herb ingredients. The soup often includes meats such as chicken, beef, pork, or shrimp.

The 1997 Financial Crisis in Asia, which started in Thailand, is sometimes referred to as the "Tom Yam Kung Crisis".

Tom yum originated in Thailand.