Thai cuisine is celebrated worldwide for its complexity, balance, and intense flavours, with soup being a cornerstone of its culinary tradition. While Tom Yum is globally beloved for its hot and sour qualities, Thailand offers a symphony of other soup varieties that are equally tantalizing and rich in tradition.

Let’s take a gastronomic journey through some of Thailand’s most flavorful and lesser-known soups.

1. Tom Kha Gai (Chicken Coconut Soup)

Tom Kha Gai is a milder but flavorful cousin of Tom Yum, infused with coconut milk to create a rich, creamy broth that complements the bold flavours of galangal, lemongrass, and kaffir lime leaves. This soup typically features chicken and mushrooms, offering a soothing taste experience that perfectly balances spice with sweetness.

2. Tom Som (Sour Soup)

Tom Som features a tamarind-based broth that gives it a distinctly tangy flavour, contrasted with the sweetness of palm sugar and the saltiness of the fish sauce. This soup often includes fish or shrimp and is garnished with fresh herbs like cilantro, making it a refreshing and light option.

3. Tom Khlong (Smoky Fish Soup)

Tom Khlong is a robust soup characterized by its smoky flavour, derived from grilled fish or dried fish. It also includes roasted shallots and dried chillies, which contribute to its depth of flavour, appealing to those who savour intense and rich dishes.

4. Gaeng Som (Thai Sour Curry Soup)

Gaeng Som, or Thai sour curry soup, is a fiery and acidic broth made with fish, green papaya, and a variety of vegetables in a base of tamarind, fish sauce, and curry paste. Its bright orange colour and sharp, tangy taste make it a standout dish in the Thai culinary repertoire.

5. Gaeng Jued (Clear Soup)

Often served as a palate cleanser between spicy dishes, Gaeng Jued is a clear, mild soup made with pork, tofu, and a variety of vegetables like baby corn and cabbage. It’s seasoned lightly with soy sauce, garlic, and pepper, making it a comforting choice for those who prefer less spicy fare.

6. Tom Jub Chai (Mixed Vegetable Soup)

Tom Jub Chai is a light and flavorful soup with a distinct Chinese influence. This simple dish features a clear broth simmered with braised pork ribs, cabbage, daikon, gai lan, and dried shiitake mushrooms, among other vegetables. The savoury and umami flavours come primarily from soy sauce and oyster sauce, creating a comforting and nourishing soup that is typically served alongside rice.

7. Khao Tom (Thai Rice Soup)

Khao Tom is a comforting Thai rice soup that serves as a popular breakfast dish or a light meal throughout the day. It features a savoury broth typically made with chicken, fish, or shrimp, simmered with rice to create a soothing, digestible dish perfect for any time you need a gentle, nourishing meal.

A Diverse Palette of Flavours Awaits

Thai soups encompass a diverse palette of flavours and ingredients, each telling a story of Thailand’s rich culinary heritage. From the creamy coconut embrace of Tom Kha Gai to the tangy zest of Gaeng Som, these soups provide an enriching insight into the flavours that Thai cuisine has to offer. Next time you find yourself at a Thai restaurant or cooking at home, venture beyond Tom Yum and treat your taste buds to the symphony of soups that Thailand has to offer.

Sources: Serious Eats, Michelin Guide, Hungry in Thailand