Homemade Tom Yum Soup Recipe with Shrimp

Start by rinsing the round rice several times until the water runs clear. You can use Japanese-style round rice for the best results. In a pot, add the rice along with water at a ratio of 1:1.

Cover the pot and bring it to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and cook for 15 minutes. After that, turn off the heat and let it sit covered for another 15 minutes on the hot stovetop to finish cooking.

While the rice is cooking, clean and devein the shrimp. It's easiest to cut them along the back using scissors and remove the innards. Be sure to rinse them well.

Next, in another pot, add the shrimp shells (and heads, if you have them) along with enough water to cover them, and boil for 20 minutes. This will create your broth for the soup. After boiling, strain the broth through a sieve to remove the shells.

In a large pot, add the Tom Yum paste along with a drizzle of vegetable oil. If you prefer a richer flavor, you can add more paste. Taste the broth before adding more to suit your flavor preference.

Add the lemongrass, galangal slices, and whole mini chilies to the pot. Sauté everything for about a minute before pouring in the broth (approximately half the pot). Bring it to a boil and simmer for five minutes.

Next, add the bruised lime leaves to the broth, as this will enhance the flavor. Slice the mushrooms into segments and add them to the boiling liquid. Allow them to cook for an additional five minutes.

After that, add in the cleaned shrimp, cherry tomatoes, and coconut milk. Let everything simmer for just a couple of minutes; avoid overcooking the shrimp to keep them tender. Squeeze half the lime juice into the soup, but do this at the end to retain its fresh flavor.

If necessary, add more broth or water to reach your desired consistency, and season with salt to taste.

To serve, place a lime wedge on top of each bowl (squeeze juice over the soup just before eating) and garnish with fresh cilantro. Pair it with the cooked rice on the side for a complete meal.