Kuey Teaow Tom Yum (sweet and sour noodle soup)

The dish Kuey Teaow Tom Yum (sweet and sour noodle soup) ก๋วยเตี๋ยว ต้มยำ is not really a secret because this dish is easily available everywhere in Thailand, especially because it is popular with Thais, expats and tourists. That is precisely why it should not be missing from this series.

This flavorful noodle soup is available on almost every corner of Bangkok and is served in restaurants, on the back of motorcycles or at makeshift stalls. Kuy Teaow Tom Yum is mainly about the broth, which is the basis for the taste. The ingredients in the soup include egg noodles, bean sprouts, spring onion, chopped long beans, pork, egg, garlic, coriander, lime juice and roasted peanuts. The basis of Kuy Teaow Tom Yum is the famous Thai Tom Yum soup, a traditional seafood soup known for its spicy, sour and aromatic flavors. This soup is traditionally served with rice and contains ingredients such as shallots, lemongrass, fish sauce, fresh ginger or galangal, shrimp, mushrooms, kaffir lime leaves, lime juice and Thai chili peppers.

Tom Yum's origins date back to the late 19th century in Central Thailand, with the first documented recipes dating from 1888 and 1897. These early versions of Tom Yum differed significantly from the modern variety, with ingredients such as grated green mango and pickled garlic brine or madan fruit instead of limes for the tart flavor. Over time, Tom Yum evolved, adding essential ingredients such as lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves and galangal, which are now considered fundamental to the soup as we know it.

Kuey Teaow Tom Yum combines the spicy and sour flavors of traditional Tom Yum with rice noodles, creating a unique and flavorful noodle soup. The dish reflects Thailand's rich culinary traditions and is a perfect illustration of the Thai skill of blending spicy, sour and savory flavors into one harmonious whole.

The delicious taste of Kuey-Teow-Tom-Yum is due to the accents of the different flavors; sour, salty, sweet and spicy. You can season the soup according to your own preference with chili powder/chili flakes, vinegar or lime juice, fish sauce and sugar.

To make a delicious Kuy Teow Tom Yum for 4 people, you need the following ingredients:

Ingredients

1. Rice noodles – 400 grams, flat
2. Shrimps – 400 grams, peeled and deveined
3. Portobello mushrooms, – 200 grams, cut into slices (shiitake or oyster mushrooms)
4. lemongrass – 2 stems, bruised and cut into large pieces
5. Galangal – 4 slices
6. Kaffir lime leaves – 6 leaves
7. Chicken or vegetable stock - 1,5 liters
8. Fish sauce – 4 tablespoons
9. Lime juice – of 3 limes
10. Sugar – 2 teaspoons
11. Thai chili peppers – 2-3, finely chopped (adjust to desired spiciness)
12. Fresh coriander – for garnish
13. Spring onion – a few stems, finely chopped

Preparation method

1. Preparing the broth: Bring the chicken or vegetable stock to the boil in a large saucepan. Add the lemongrass, galangal and kaffir lime leaves. Let this simmer gently for about 10 minutes.
2. Preparing noodles: Cook the rice noodles according to the instructions on the package, drain and set aside.
3. Adding seasonings: Add fish sauce, lime juice, sugar and the finely chopped chili peppers to the stock. Taste and adjust the flavors to your liking.
4. Add shrimp and mushrooms: Add the shrimp and mushrooms to the stock and cook until the shrimp are pink and cooked through.
5. To serve: Divide the cooked rice noodles among the bowls. Spoon the hot Tom Yum soup with shrimp and mushrooms over the noodles. Garnish with fresh coriander and spring onion.
6. serve: Serve the Kuy Teow Tom Yum immediately, while it is still hot.

This Kuy Teow Tom Yum combines the classic Thai flavors of spicy, sour and aromatic into a delicious noodle soup. Enjoy this authentic Thai dish!