Tom Yum Gai (Thai Hot & Sour Chicken Soup)

Chef #492414's Note:

This is our version of the hot and sour soup, modified to taste as much as possible like the wonderful version we would get at our favorite Thai restaurant, Bahn Na, in Ypsilanti, MI. I've included the modifications (*) that make it vegetarian-friendly. A note about the fish sauce: this can be purchased from any Asian grocery, and I would recommend just about any that come in a glass bottle - they generally taste better.

• Total Time: 40 mins
• Prep Time: 15 mins
• Cook Time: 25 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 4

• 1/2 medium onion, diced
• 2 green onions, sliced (optional)
• 2 small tomatoes, cut into eighths
• 1/2 lb skinless chicken breasts, diced (*) or 8 ounces extra firm tofu, pressed and drained, cubed (*)
• 10 canned straw mushrooms
• 5 button mushrooms, quartered
• 4 cups chicken stock (*) or 4 cups mushroom stock (*)
• 2 stalks lemongrass, cut the stalks diagonally 2-inch long, scored lightly
• 6 kaffir lime leaves, fresh, scored lightly
• 6 slices fresh ginger (approximately 1-inch in diameter, 1/8-inch thick)
• 3 tablespoons fish sauce
• 1 1/4 teaspoons chili paste (Nam Prik Pao, Thai chili paste with soya oil)
• 2 serrano chilies, thickly sliced (optional)
• 1 cup fresh cilantro, washed and roughly diced
• 2 teaspoons sugar
• 1/4 cup lime juice (to taste)
• 2 tablespoons peanut oil

Directions:

1. In a medium-sized soup pot, heat the peanut oil over medium-high heat. Saute the chicken and/or tofu, onion (not the green onions), half each of the ginger and lemongrass until the chicken is only a little bit pink and the onion translucent.
2. Add the stock, fish sauce, remaining ginger and lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, and (optional) serrano chilies. Simmer 10 - 15 minute covered on medium-low heat.
3. Add the sugar, Nam Prik Pao, and sliced tomatoes. Simmer an additional 2 minute.
4. Turn heat fully to low and add the lime juice to taste. Add half of the diced cilantro and the green onions, then let simmer on low for another few minutes.
5. Sprinkle with the remaining cilantro and serve with additional lime juice.

Reviews

[girlaugust]

Great soup! Perfect homemade version of a Thai favorate. Like others I made without kaffir lime leaves as I was unable to find any - still super tasty results. A definite keeper.

[Chef #1518691]

wow! I could have fooled anyone with this recipe. Exactly the same look and taste as the Tom Yum Gai from our favourite local Thai restaurant. I will certainly put that recipe in my top 25! (note: i didn't even have any kaffir lime leaves and it was still terrific!)

[Kevin Bradley]

I felt this was a little too tart and very salty. Personally I would add less fish oil and lime juice - and perhaps a little more sweetness is required.