From the intense spices of the north to the mellow flavors of the south, Thai soups have a lot to offer. Thai Soups are underrated, and that’s a mortal sin.
Asian soups are not always about ramen and instant cup noodles.
Plus, there are so many things to be learned from Asian cuisines, such as the complex flavor profiles of Thai soups.
Thailand is famous for its diversity of people and cultures, with distinct backgrounds.
Their cuisine is also top-notch and is almost representative in Southeast Asia.
That’s why their government has used culinary adventures as a weapon for diplomacy.
That tactic worked, and now, everyone knows something about Thai dishes.
These dishes, particularly the soups, reflect the different cultures and traditions that date hundreds of years back.
It’s always nice and fun to try something new, and this is your chance to do just that.
But don’t forget the mix of cultures they have brought together over the years!
Chinese, Hmongs, Laos, Cambodians, and many others have left their marks on Thai culture, including its cuisine.
Indeed, each bowl of Thai soup is a culinary journey waiting to be discovered.
For example, bring your loved ones a bowl of Tom Yum soup and watch their faces light up.
And If your friend is recovering from surgery, whip up a bowl of Jok to help them get back on their feet.
But if you want something quirky yet tasty, try #10!
It will surely tickle you pink from happiness.
Now we introduce the 13 Thai soups that you must try at home!
1. Tom Yum
Tom Yum is the Tom Hanks of Thai soups.
Everyone knows it, and it’s beloved by all.
Its superior Thai qualities—that characteristic mix of sour and spicy, usually eaten with rice to help temper the heat—make it easy to see why tom yum has become so popular in kitchens worldwide.
And if you’ve never made tom yum soup before, you’re in for a treat! It’s surprisingly easy.
Tom Yum is best served hot out of its pot.
Really, Thailand should make tom yum a national treasure because it is.
Many people love it, and it is a must-see while you are visiting the country.
2. Gaeng Jued
Gang Jued is a spicy soup that contains peppercorns, a key feature that sets it apart from other Thai soups.
It is a well-known dish in the southern provinces of Thailand.
Also, the name means “curry soup,” and it can be made with different kinds of meat instead of beef if you prefer.
Typically, this dish is eaten with steamed rice so that people can balance out the spiciness.
This curry soup has a bright and sour flavor, with a more pronounced sourness from the addition of tamarind juice or paste.
Gaeng Som is also a delicious dish that pairs well with rice or can be eaten on its own.
It is often made with coconut milk, but if you prefer it without the added richness, you can leave it out.
Gaeng Som can be very mild or quite spicy.
You can quickly adjust the taste by increasing or decreasing the spices, but it will still be tasty no matter what you do.
The shrimp can also be easily replaced with a chicken breast, fish filet, hard-boiled egg, pork ribs, crab legs, or clams.
Tom Kha Gai, as the literal translation of its Thai name shows, is a spicy soup made with galangal and chicken.
However, this popular Thai dish has more to it than just that!
This soup’s flavor is more intense than the other soups on this list because it has lemongrass, lime leaves, mushrooms, coriander leaves, and red chilies.
The spiciness (even more than tom yum) will make you sweat, but don’t worry—the coconut milk will help you cool down.
However, spicy is not the only taste you can experience from this soup.
You can also enjoy hints of sour, salty, and even milky, thanks to coconut milk.
One sip, and you’ll never get enough of it.
Tom Chuet is a clear and simple soup.
The light broth serves as the perfect vehicle for chicken, shrimp, and vegetables.
And it’s easy to change and adjust the recipe to include your favorite ingredients!
This soup is also very light and is best served hot.
Try it at your next dinner party as a starter, or just enjoy it on its own on cool evenings at home.
Everyone will love the rich flavors of this Thai soup without being too heavy or thick!
If you’re looking for a filler, no pun intended, try Jok.
This Thai rice soup is known as congee in China and juk in Korea.
In Thailand, Jok is more commonly eaten for breakfast than other times of day, and it can be served either plain with just rice or with chicken or pork meatballs.
It’s also a favorite of people who are sick or recovering from surgery because it has a comfort food quality.
The combination of tender flakes of meat, cooling vegetables, and crunchy fried onions create layers of textures that match the layers of taste.
But no matter how you take it—with or without your favorite toppings—Jok will always be there to give you warmth on the coldest days.
Jok is that insanely good.
You’ll love this Thai Coconut Curry Soup recipe if you’re a fan of dairy and spice.
It has a little kick to it but is still creamy, making it the perfect comfort food for those who like their soups with as much milk as broth.
And it’s perfect for those who want the flavors of Thailand in a bowl.
Experience richness and boldness like you’ve never had before with this amazing dish!
Laeng Seb is a classic Thai spicy Pork Bone Soup.
It’s so popular that you can find it at every restaurant in Thailand.
Its broth tastes very rich and has a deep “porky” taste.
Pork stock gets its flavor from simmering pork bones for hours, which extracts the essence of the meat.
Plus, it often comes with chili flakes and herbal leaves such as kaffir lime and Thai basil.
And with ingredients you’ll easily find in your pantry and or at your local grocery store, this soup is a cinch to put together.
Kuai Tiao ruea is a soup noodle dish that originated in Rangsit, a city in the Bangkok metropolitan area.
The dish was initially sold on boats by Chinese settlers.
And because this area’s waterways were once vast and numerous, boats were the most efficient way to travel.
Today, you can find plenty of stalls selling this soup throughout Bangkok.
But it still has a strong following in the Rangsit vicinity.
So, if you like a hearty noodle soup that’s not too heavy, Thai boat noodles soup may be right up your alley!
Yen Ta Fo is a variation of the famous kuai Tiao ruea (boat noodles).
It is usually served with shrimp, squid, fish cake, and pork meatballs.
While it might not be as insanely popular as its counterpart, it’s equally delicious.
That’s mainly because of the sweet fermented soybean (Ta Fo), which gives them their rosy hue.
Plus, the soup’s broth is known to be rich in flavor and has an almost flowery essence.
Remember, not the scent but the essence.
Still, it’s an enjoyable treat that you must try for yourself.
Suki is a type of hot pot dish popular in Thailand.
This spicy soup can contain various ingredients: beef, chicken, pork, seafood, vegetables, and noodles.
It’s usually eaten with rice and is considered comfort food by the Thai people.
This soup has also adopted the Chinese hot pots, showing how cultures make amazing discoveries like this Thai soup.
If you are into spicy food and like noodle soup, then Khao Soi is the perfect dish.
Also, this creamy Thai noodle soup, made with coconut milk, is such a tasty lunch that you may end up serving it as the main course.
Minced pork or chicken is sometimes added to the broth as a delicious variation.
The dish has its origin in Thailand’s northern region of Chiang Mai, but it is loved by people all over Thailand.
Khao soi is just so so addictive that tourists who try the dish while visiting Chiang Mai often enroll in cooking classes to learn how to make it.
For those who’ve spent time in Thailand’s urbanized north and central regions, Khao Tom may be a new dish.
Luckily, this simple soup is just as easy to make as it is to eat.
And so delicious it’ll be hard not to go back for seconds.
Khao Tom is a classic Thai breakfast dish that hails from the southern part of the country.
It’s also an all-around dish that can be eaten at any time of day, making it a great addition to any meal.
But take note: it’s different from Jok because it is much soupier.
Basically, this dish is great for cold winter nights.
The bottom line
These Thai soups are loaded with flavors and spices that no one else can come close to.
Tired of your usual instant ramen?
Then head on to your kitchen and start cooking these comforting soups now!
Who says you can eat soup only in winter, anyway?
Happy slurping!
And oh, you’re going to love our 18 Fantastic Thai Appetizers and 17 Best Side Dishes, too!
Top 13 BEST Thai Soups 🍲
From the intense spices of the north to the mellow flavors of the south, these 13 easy Thai Soups have a lot to offer.
Ingredients
- Tom Yum
- Gaeng Jued
- Gaeng Som (Sour Curry Soup With Shrimp)
- Tom Kha Gai (Spicy Thai Chicken Soup)
- Tom Chuet (Clear Vegetable Soup)
- Jok (Thai Rice Soup)
- Thai Coconut Curry Soup
- Laeng Seb (Thai Spicy Pork Bones Soup)
- Kuai Tiao Ruea (Thai Boat Noodles Soup)
- Yen Ta Fo (Thai Pink Noodles Soup)
- Suki (Spicy Thai Hot Pot)
- Khao Soi (Thai Spicy Curry Noodle Soup)
- Khao Tom (South Thai Rice Soup)
Instructions
- Take a look at our Thai Soups list!
- Bring the ingredients to create a new favorite dish.
- Woohoo! You created a home-cooked meal!
- Comment your thoughts on our Facebook page!