Thai soup 'Tom yum kung' becomes new UNESCO intangible cultural heritage

"Tom yum kung", the iconic spicy and sour Thai prawn soup, has officially been inscribed on the UNESCO representative list of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

The announcement was made on December 4 during the 19th session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage in Asuncion, Paraguay.

Thai Culture Minister Sudawan Wangsupakitkosol was delighted at the recognition, noting that "tom yum kung" is the fifth Thai cultural heritage item to receive this status, alongside Khon masked dance, Nora dance, traditional Thai massage, and the Songkran water festival.

“Tom yum kung” is not just a dish, but a representation of Thai people's cultural knowledge and culinary expertise, she stated.

The soup's ingredients reflect the use of local resources, with fresh prawns and a broth infused with herbs such as galangal, lemongrass, chilli, lime, and kaffir lime leaves.

The dish is celebrated for its vibrant reddish-orange hue and a complex flavour profile that combines sour, salty, spicy, sweet, and slightly bitter herbal notes.

Sudawan also noted that "tom yum kung" has gained global popularity and plays a crucial role in promoting Thai culinary culture as part of the country's "soft power" strategy to engage the world.