The words “Tom Yam” originate from two Thai words. Tom refers to the boiling process, while Yam means ‘mixed’. The Tom Yam dish has spicy and sour flavours and is made with fresh ingredients such as lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, galangal, lime juice, fish sauce, and crushed red chili peppers. To make the soup base more tasty and sweet, meats such as shrimp, chicken, or pork are added to the soup.
Today, ready-made Tom Yam paste is prepared and sold to make it easier for those who have busy schedules. Commercial Tom Yam paste is made by crushing all the herb ingredients and stir-frying them in oil, then adding seasoning and other preservative ingredients to make it last longer. If you do not have time or the energy to cook, many shops specialize in delicious Tom Yam dishes. Read on to find out about the top 15 best Tom Yam in Klang Valley.
What are the different types of Tom Yam?
There are many different variations of Tom Yam and these are the Tom Yam Nam Sai which is the clear broth Tom Yam soup; the Tom Yam Nam Khon which is a more recent variation from the 1980s that includes prawns as the main ingredient together with evaporated milk or non-dairy creamer powder; the Tom Yam Kathi, a coconut milk-based Tom Yam; and Tom Yam Gai, which is the chicken version of the soup. There is also the Tom Yam Pla, a clear fish soup that is traditionally eaten with rice.
There are more Tom Yam versions in the form of the Tom Yam Po Taek or Tom Yam Thale which are variants of the soup with mixed seafood such as prawns, squid, clams, and pieces of fish; the Tom Yam Kha Mu which is made together with pork leg and requires a long cooking time under low heat. Last but not least, there is the famous Tom Yam Kung which is the most popular version among tourists. The soup is often topped with a generous sprinkling of freshly chopped cilantro to make it more fragrant.
15 Best Tom Yam in Klang Valley 2023
1. Streat Thai @ Jaya One
Streat Thai @ Jaya One aims to serve authentic and delicious Thai street food while providing fun, positive, and exceptional service to every guest. They serve a variety of Tom Yam dishes such as Tom Yum Mama with Homemade MeatBalls, Tom Yum Mama Special, Tom Yum Mama with Seafood, and Tom Yum Mama with Streat Thai Chicken Chop. The Tom Yam here is fragrant and delicious as each bowl is freshly made and served warm.
Operating Hours: 11am to 10pm daily
Address: 100-G.001 Jaya One No. 72A Jalan Prof Diraja, Jln Profesor Diraja Ungku Aziz, Seksyen 13, 46200 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
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2. Little Rara Chow Kit
Little Rara Chow Kit’s Tom Yam soup is creamier than the normal Tom Yam clear soup, and it tastes delicious but less spicy. Customers who frequent here love to order the Tom Yam Talay Maggi Seafood because it is their best seller. This dish is made with a generous serving of fresh prawns, eggs, and mussels and topped with lime and chives, creating a delicious and heavenly dish. They even have the Tom Yam Talay Maggie Seafood Cheese version for dairy lovers. Other choices of Tom Yam include Tom Yam-based broth soup served with rice noodles, egg, and your choice of sliced chicken or beef.
Operating Hours: 5pm to 12.15am (Monday to Saturday) Closed on Sunday
Address: 331, Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman, Chow Kit, 50100 Kuala Lumpur, Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur
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3. Charlie’s Cafe
Charlie’s Cafe may be well known for its chicken chop, but it serves one of the tastiest Tom Yam as well. Its Tom Yam dish is given a local touch to it and is made with fragrant herbs and spices, prawns, chicken, and fish balls. What is great about this place is that they have a variety of delicious food to eat such as the Sarawak Laksa and pastries like the UFO tart, cakes, and Gelato. It is a great place to enjoy good food with great company.
Operating Hours: 11am to 6.45pm (Monday – Saturday) Closed on Sunday
Address: 29, Jalan Bukit Desa 5, Taman Bukit Desa, 58100 Kuala Lumpur, Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur
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4. BAAN26
Baan 26 was founded in 2006 in the popular enclave of Changkat Bukit Bintang. This Thai restaurant serves authentic Thai cuisine. Baan 26 has a traditional and casual atmosphere which makes dining there a truly unique experience. Their menu includes the Red Tom Yam Prawn Soup which has generous servings of seafood and large pieces of prawns together with a medley of herbs; and the tasty Tom Yam Chicken which has springy mushrooms and tender chicken pieces that taste full of flavour. Pair one of these Tom Yam dishes with a serving of rice and it will be a meal to remember.
Operating Hours:
12pm to 2am (Sunday – Thursday)
12pm to 3am (Friday – Saturday)
Address: 26, Changkat Bukit Bintang, Bukit Bintang, 50200 Kuala Lumpur, Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur
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5. Simply Thai
Dining at Simply Thai will make you feel like you are in Thailand because the decorations and settings are inspired by Thailand’s architecture, culture, and traditions. The Tom Yam served here come in generous portions with reasonable pricing, while the rest of the available food options served here has a deliciously authentic taste to them. Furthermore, the bowls and plates that the food is served in also befit the restaurant’s Thailand theme. If you feel like having a taste of some authentic Thai Tom Yam within a Thai-inspired ambiance, this is the perfect place to dine in.
Operating Hours: 11am to 10pm daily
Address: Unit LG2-1, Seri Gembira Avenue 6, Jalan Senang Ria, Taman Gembira, Happy Garden, 58200 Kuala Lumpur
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6. Malai Thai Cuisine @ Cormar Suites
The Malai Thai Cuisine @ Cormar Suites is located in the heart of Kuala Lumpur, just a stone’s throw from KLCC on the ground floor of Cormar Suites. It is designed with simplicity and elegance in mind, the seating includes a choice of either tables or booths, and most of its tableware has been hand-picked and imported from Thailand. The chefs have also been chosen based on their culinary skills that were honed in Thailand. This restaurant serves tasty Tom Yam soup together with fresh and big-sized River Prawns, generous chicken pieces, and a variety of seafood and shrimps which will leave you filled to the brim and feeling satisfied.
Operating Hours: 12pm to 10pm daily
Address: Cormar Suites, 10, Jalan Perak, Kuala Lumpur, 50450 Kuala Lumpur, Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur
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7. PIM’S Thai Food
PIM’S Thai Food serves extravagant portions of Tom Yam dishes filled with giant prawns, squid, mushrooms, sliced pork, and eggs that are made slightly runny on the inside, together with generous amounts of cilantro, birds-eye chilies, and herbs. For those who prefer something other than pairing your Tom Yam with rice, you can always go for the Mama Tom Yam which pairs the dish with noodles. What makes this place interesting is that the current head chefs are some friendly Thai ladies who will engage in some chit-chat with the regulars at times.
Operating Hours:
11.55am to 9.30pm (Sunday – Thursday)
12pm to 9.45pm (Friday – Saturday)
Address: 23, Lorong Batu Nilam 21B, Bandar Bukit Tinggi 2, 41200 Klang, Selangor
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8. Soi 19 Thai Steamboat & BBQ
Soi 19 Thai Steamboat & BBQ is a humble yet cozy Thai restaurant that serves authentic local Thai street food. Soi is Thai for ‘Street’ or ‘Lane’ and its owner is a Malaysian married to a Thai. The restaurant is located at Kuchai Lama, off Old Klang Road, and has managed to capture the essence of Thai cuisine. Soi 19’s Special Soup is also known as Tom Yam Talay which tastes sour and spicy. It is also served with fresh enoki mushrooms, prawns, mussels, and squid which tastes amazing when paired with rice. While you are there, do not miss out on its Jim Jom dish which is a delicious mix of pork meat with fresh egg and vegetables.
Operating Hours: 2pm to 11pm
Address: 2G, Jalan 2/114, Kuchai Business Centre, 58200 Kuala Lumpur, Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur
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Website9. Benlatiff Tomyam
Benlatiff Tomyam is a halal Tom Yam restaurant that serves delicious seafood Tom Yam together with a variety of other dishes. The Tom Yam soup is served in a generous portion and tastes extremely flavourful with a good mixture of spiciness and sourness. This humble restaurant encompasses a simple setup along with plastic chairs. However, the food is amazingly good and the prices are reasonable for the portion that is served. If you are on a budget but have a craving for an authentic and delicious bowl of Tom Yam, this is the perfect restaurant for you to dine in.
Operating Hours: 3pm to 12am daily
Address: 1742-7A, Jalan Cengal, Taman Setapak, 53000 Kuala Lumpur, Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur
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10. Alanna’s Kitchen
Alanna’s Kitchen serves a perfect combination of seafood and spice in the form of its Tom Yam dishes. This restaurant provides a selection of Tom Yam dishes such as Grilled Chicken Tom Yam served with white rice or mee hoon and the Seafood Tom Yam served with Prawns, Sotong and Lala served with white rice or mee hoon. What makes this restaurant special is that apart from Thai Cuisine, it also serves Malay, Arabic, Western, and Chinese Cuisine as well, so you will be spoilt for choices when you visit.
Operating Hours:
11am to 3pm, 6pm to 10pm (Monday – Friday)
11am to 10pm (Saturday – Sunday)
Address: 8, Jalan Pandan Indah 1/23d, Pandan Indah Ampang, 55100 Kuala Lumpur
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11. Absolute Thai @ The Gardens Mall
Absolute Thai @ The Gardens Mall is beautifully decorated with brick walls, a rustic ambiance, and artsy photos hanging on its walls. Its comfortable seating range from wooden lacquered chairs to soft padded cushions adding a touch of coziness to the restaurant. Absolute Thai serves really good Tom Yam and some reviews claim that it is spicier than the Tom Yam served in Bangkok. However, the spicy red soup is a thrill for those with a high tolerance for chilli. Furthermore, its spicy taste does not mask the delicious flavours of the soup which makes you want to come back for more.
Operating Hours: 10am to 10pm daily
Address: The Gardens Mall, Level 3, Mid Valley City, 58000 Kuala Lumpur, Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur
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12. Thai Hou Sek @ Mid Valley
Thai Hou Sek @ Mid Valley serves contemporary Thai-Chinese pork dishes, inspired by bold flavours of Thai street food. You can choose from a variety of sharing plates filled with popular favourites and unconventional twists such as the Tom Yum with Fishballs and Tofu Pok which are added in to give you a burst of Tom Yam flavours when you sink your teeth into the Fishballs and Tofu Pok. So if you are in the mood for trying something innovative or if you can not decide whether you want Thai or Chinese for dinner, try Thai Hou Sek.
Operating Hours: 11am to 9pm daily
Address: LG-34, Mid Valley Megamall, Lingkaran Syed Putra, Mid Valley City, 59200 Kuala Lumpur
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13. KHUNYAI Thai BBQ & Mookata Steamboat
KHUNYAI Thai BBQ & Mookata Steamboat is a hidden gem that offers Thai cuisine dining within a cozy and homely ambiance. The restaurant is located at Taman Desa Petaling and prides itself on the fact that most of its ingredients are directly imported from Thailand to enable them to prepare authentic Thai food for its customers. They are famous for their signature Tom Yam Seafood Combo with Tilapia Fish, Squid, Enoki Mushrooms, Pork Slices, eggs, and a variety of herbs. You can also choose to pair it with Mama Mee if you prefer it over white rice.
Operating Hours:
11.30am to 10pm (Tuesday – Sunday)
Closed on Monday
Address: 22-1, Jalan 2/125f, Taman Desa Petaling, 57100 Kuala Lumpur, Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur
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14. Amarin @ Mid Valley
Amarin @ Mid Valley is a great place for Thai cuisine. It has a comfortable seating place and is air-conditioned as it is located within Mid Valley. Here, you can choose your dishes from an online menu by scanning a code and your food will be served within 20 minutes from the time of your order. The food quality and portion sizes are proportionate to its pricing as well. The Tom Yam here is slightly but not overly spicy which makes it more suitable for a larger group of customers. The ingredients in the Tom Yam bring out its flavours which makes it taste amazing all by itself.
Operating Hours: 10am to 10pm daily
Address: S045, Level 2, Centre Court, Mid Valley Megamall, Lingkaran Syed Putra, Mid Valley City, 59200 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur
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15. VeryThai Mookata & Street Food
VeryThai Mookata & Street Food aims to serve authentic and delicious Thai BBQ and Street food while providing fun, positive and excellent service and ambiance. The Tom Yam dish here is spicy and is loaded with vegetables, enoki mushrooms, prawns, meat slices, mussels, squid, and more. The spiciness and fragrance of the soup will seep into the seafood, meats, and enoki mushrooms, giving you a delightful combination of tastes that is second to none.
Operating Hours: 11am to 10pm daily
Address: B-01-3A, Level 1, Block B, Sunway Geo Avenue, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, Sunway South Quay, Bandar Sunway, 47500 Subang Jaya, Selangor
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Disclosure: This list was compiled by the team at My Weekend Plan after extensive research and shared opinions to suggest helpful recommendations for the public. The sequence of brands is in no particular order so if you have any other great suggestions too, please email us [email protected]. For more information, kindly refer to our copyright, privacy & disclosure policy.
