Lykkers, have you ever wanted a soup that's tangy, spicy, and loaded with fresh seafood? Seafood Tom Yum Soup is a classic dish that perfectly balances sour, spicy, and savory flavors.

With this step-by-step guide, we can make this flavorful soup at home using fresh ingredients and simple techniques. By following these instructions, we'll end up with a bowl that's bright, aromatic, and comforting.

Ingredients

Here's what we'll need to make 4 servings of Seafood Tom Yum Soup:

- Shrimp: 250 g, peeled, with tails on

- Crab meat: 150 g

- Onion: 1 small, sliced

- Mushrooms: 100 g, sliced

- Lemongrass: 2 stalks, smashed and cut into 3-inch pieces

- Ginger: 20 g, thinly sliced

- Red chili pepper: 2–3, sliced

- Tom Yum paste: 2 tablespoons

- Fish sauce: 2 tablespoons

- Lemon: 1, sliced for garnish

- Fresh mint leaves: a few sprigs for garnish

- Water: 4 cups (about 1 liter)

- Cooking oil: 1 tablespoon

- Salt: a pinch

- Optional: 1 teaspoon MSG

These ingredients will create a balanced flavor: fresh seafood, fragrant herbs, and a zesty, spicy broth.

Step By Step To Prepare It

Step 1: Prepare Ingredients

First, we wash and clean the shrimp and crab meat. Peel the shrimp but leave the tails on for a nice presentation. Slice the onion and mushrooms, and prepare the lemongrass and ginger. Slice the chili peppers and set them aside. This preparation makes the cooking process smooth and organized.

Step 2: Fry Shrimp Heads for Flavor

In a medium pan, heat 1 tablespoon of oil over medium heat. Add the shrimp heads and fry for 2–3 minutes until they release a red, fragrant oil. This step forms the savory base of our soup. The aroma will fill the kitchen and give us a hint of the flavor to come.

Step 3: Add Aromatics

Next, we add sliced onion, ginger, and chili peppers to the pan. Stir for 2–3 minutes until the ingredients are fragrant. The combination of ginger, chili, and onion will create a warm, inviting aroma that forms the foundation of the broth.

Step 4: Make the Broth

Add 2 tablespoons of Tom Yum paste to the pan and stir for 1 minute to release its aroma. Then pour in 4 cups of water and add the smashed lemongrass. Let it simmer for 10 minutes. During this time, the lemongrass gives a citrusy note, and the ginger adds subtle warmth to balance the spice.

Step 5: Add Seafood

Gently place the shrimp and crab meat into the simmering broth. Cook for 3–4 minutes, until the shrimp turns bright pink. Stir carefully to avoid breaking the seafood. At this point, the soup already smells heavenly, and the seafood absorbs the flavorful broth.

Step 6: Add Vegetables

Add sliced mushrooms and cook for another 2–3 minutes. The mushrooms soak up the broth, giving each spoonful a satisfying texture. We can also add extra vegetables if we like, such as baby corn or cherry tomatoes, to make the soup heartier.

Step 7: Season the Soup

Now we add 2 tablespoons of fish sauce, a pinch of salt, and optionally 1 teaspoon of MSG for extra umami. Taste and adjust until the flavor is balanced. The soup should be tangy, spicy, and slightly sweet from the seafood.

Step 8: Garnish and Serve

Finally, add lemon slices and a few fresh mint leaves on top. These finishing touches give the soup a refreshing aroma and bright appearance. Serve the soup hot in bowls, and enjoy the combination of spicy, tangy, and savory flavors in every spoonful.

Savor the Flavor

Lykkers, making Seafood Tom Yum Soup at home is fun, rewarding, and surprisingly simple. With fresh ingredients and these step-by-step instructions, we can enjoy an authentic flavor in our own kitchen. The next time we want a dish that's comforting, flavorful, and a little adventurous, this soup will be our go-to.

Let's grab our bowls and savor the perfect balance of spice, tang, and seafood delight!