Coconut Broth Tom Yum with Shrimp
Light, aromatic, and deeply comforting. This coconut-broth Tom Yum is clean yet layered. It is bright with lime, fragrant with herbs, and gently rich without heaviness. A quick shrimp-shell broth adds depth, while coconut water keeps the soup light and naturally sweet.
Ingredients
- 1 quart coconut water
- Shrimp shells from 8 oz of large shrimp
- 1 cilantro root cleaned and lightly smashed
- 3 stalks lemongrass sliced into ¼-inch pieces
- 1 2-inch piece galangal, sliced
- ¼ cup cherry tomatoes halved
- 3 oz oyster mushrooms about 1 cup, sliced
- 8 oz large shrimp peeled and deveined
- 1-2 tbsp Tom Yum Paste or Nam Prik Pow Thai chili jam
- 3 fresh red Thai chilies, bruised or to taste
- ½ cup fresh lime juice adjust to taste
- ½ cup fish sauce adjust to taste
- 10 kaffir lime leaves torn
- 1 sprig cilantro coarsely chopped
- 2 sprigs culantro coarsely chopped, optional
Instructions
- Make a quick shrimp-shell broth: Bring 2 cups of water to a boil. Add shrimp shells and simmer for 5 minutes to extract flavor. Strain and discard shells. Set broth aside.
- Prepare the aromatics: Lightly bruise the lemongrass and galangal using a pestle or rolling pin to release their aromatic oils before adding them to the soup.
- Build the soup base: In the same pot, add the shrimp-shell broth and coconut water. Bring just to a boil over medium heat, then lower to a gentle simmer.
- Add aromatics: Add cilantro root, bruised lemongrass, galangal, tomatoes, and mushrooms. Simmer gently for 3–4 minutes until fragrant.
- Cook the shrimp: Increase the heat to high. Add shrimp and chilies and cook just until shrimp turn opaque, about 1–2 minutes.
- Season and finish: Add in Tom Yum Paste or Nam Prik Pow. Remove from heat. Stir in the fish sauce, then add the lime juice off the heat so the soup stays bright and does not turn bitter. Add kaffir lime leaves, cilantro, and culantro.
- Serve: Ladle into bowls and serve immediately while hot and aromatic.
Video
Notes
- Keep the broth at a gentle simmer to protect the aromatics
- Lime juice is always added off heat to preserve freshness and prevent bitterness
- Naturally light, dairy-free, and gluten-free
- Beautiful with shrimp, fish, scallops, or mixed seafood