How many carbs are in Tom Yum soup with chicken? A comprehensive nutrition guide

November 8, 2025 •

4 min read

Nutritional information can vary dramatically based on preparation, and that's especially true when asking how many carbs are in Tom Yum soup with chicken? A basic broth-based version can be very low-carb, while restaurant versions often contain hidden sugars or added starches. The final carb count is a direct result of the specific ingredients and serving size.

Quick Summary

The carbohydrate count for Tom Yum soup with chicken varies depending on preparation and serving size. Factors like added sugar, coconut milk, and fillers such as rice or noodles significantly impact the final nutritional profile. Traditional, broth-based versions are generally low in carbs and can be keto-friendly.

Key Points

Carb count varies greatly: The number of carbs depends heavily on whether the soup is homemade or restaurant-prepared and what ingredients are included.
Homemade is typically low-carb: A simple, broth-based Tom Yum with chicken and vegetables can be very low in carbohydrates, making it suitable for low-carb and keto diets.
Watch out for hidden sugars: Many restaurant and pre-made Tom Yum pastes contain added sugar to balance the flavors, significantly increasing the carb count.
Avoid starchy fillers: Adding rice or rice noodles can increase the carbs in a single serving from less than 10g to over 50g, so omit them for a low-carb version.
Make your own for control: The best way to ensure your Tom Yum soup is low-carb is to make it from scratch, using fresh ingredients and avoiding any added sweeteners.

Understanding Tom Yum: A Breakdown of Ingredients

Traditional Tom Yum soup, especially the chicken version known as Tom Yum Gai, is a hot and sour Thai soup with a rich, aromatic broth. The core ingredients that form its base are naturally low in carbohydrates. These include lemongrass, galangal, kaffir lime leaves, lime juice, and chili peppers, which provide flavor without adding significant carbs. The protein source, chicken breast, and vegetables like mushrooms are also very low-carb.

Core Low-Carb Components

Chicken Breast: An excellent source of lean protein with zero carbs.
Mushrooms: Contribute minimal carbs and are a good source of vitamins.
Herbs and Spices: Lemongrass, galangal, and kaffir lime leaves are packed with flavor and are virtually carb-free.
Lime Juice: Adds the sour notes and is very low in carbs.
Fish Sauce: Provides a savory, salty flavor with negligible carbs.

The Hidden Carb Culprits

While the foundation of Tom Yum is low-carb, many versions, especially those found in restaurants or made from pre-packaged pastes, can contain ingredients that inflate the carb count. These additions can quickly turn a diet-friendly meal into a carb-heavy one.

Common High-Carb Additions

Sweeteners: Many restaurants add sugar to balance the hot and sour flavors. This can range from small amounts to significant additions, especially in pastes and sauces.
Noodles and Rice: Serving the soup with rice or rice noodles, a common practice, can drastically increase the total carbohydrates of the meal. A bowl with noodles could have 50 grams of carbs or more, while the broth alone has a fraction of that.
Tom Yum Paste: Store-bought pastes can contain added sugar and other additives to extend shelf life or enhance flavor, increasing the carb content compared to making the broth from scratch.

Variation in Carb Counts: Why the Numbers Differ

Because of the variable ingredients, the carb count for Tom Yum with chicken can differ significantly across recipes and restaurants. For example, a homemade, sugar-free, broth-based version with just chicken and vegetables might have as few as 5-9 grams of total carbs per serving. A pre-packaged, frozen version with noodles might contain over 50 grams. Restaurant dishes can also vary based on their unique preparation methods.

A Comparison of Thai Soups

To put Tom Yum's carb profile into context, it's helpful to compare it with other popular Thai soups. This table highlights how different ingredients, especially the base and additives, affect the overall nutrition.


Soup Type	Base	Typical Carb Content	Key Carb Sources	Keto-Friendly?
Tom Yum (broth)	Clear broth	5–15g	Vegetables, potential added sugar	Yes (usually)
Tom Yum (creamy)	Broth with coconut milk	10–20g	Vegetables, coconut milk, potential added sugar	Yes, but check total macros
Tom Kha Gai	Coconut milk base	15–25g+	Coconut milk, sugar, vegetables	Maybe, depending on recipe
Tom Yum with Noodles	Broth with noodles	40–70g+	Noodles, vegetables, sugar	No

Tips for a Low-Carb Chicken Tom Yum

For those watching their carb intake, it is entirely possible to enjoy a delicious and authentic Tom Yum soup with chicken. The key is to take control of the ingredients and preparation.

Make it from scratch: Prepare the soup using a homemade broth and fresh ingredients. This gives you complete control over the added sugar and sodium.
Choose a low-carb paste: If you opt for a store-bought paste, read the nutrition label carefully. Look for brands with no added sugar or make your own paste at home.
Skip the fillers: Avoid adding rice or noodles to your soup. The chicken, mushrooms, and broth are satisfying on their own.
Use low-carb alternatives: If you desire a filler, try cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles, which blend well with the soup's flavors and keep the carb count minimal.
Go creamy with caution: While coconut milk adds a delicious creaminess, it also adds carbs. Choose unsweetened coconut milk and measure your portions carefully.
Load up on veggies: Add extra low-carb vegetables like leafy greens or bell peppers for more fiber and nutrients without significantly increasing carbs.

Conclusion: Navigating Your Nutrition Choices

So, how many carbs are in Tom Yum soup with chicken? The answer is not a single, fixed number. It's a spectrum, with the lowest carb versions being the homemade, sugar-free, broth-based ones, and the highest being restaurant or packaged versions with added sweeteners and noodles. By understanding the key ingredients and making conscious choices, you can easily fit this flavorful Thai favorite into a low-carb or keto lifestyle. Being mindful of restaurant preparation and opting for homemade versions offers the most control over the nutritional content, allowing you to enjoy the delicious, aromatic benefits of Tom Yum without the hidden carbs.

For a delicious, authentic, and naturally low-carb recipe, consider following a trusted guide like the one found on RecipeTin Eats.

Resources

Ingredient Deep Dive: Check out this guide on Thai ingredients to learn about their flavor profiles and nutritional value.
Keto-Friendly Thai: Learn more about which Thai dishes are best for a ketogenic diet.
Healthy Thai Soups: See a comparison of healthy Thai soups from WebMD.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, a traditional, broth-based Tom Yum with chicken is generally keto-friendly. However, it is essential to ensure that no sugar, rice, or noodles have been added during preparation, as these would increase the carb count significantly.

The main culprits for added carbs are sugar, often used in restaurant versions and pre-made pastes, and the addition of starchy fillers like rice or rice noodles. The base ingredients like chicken, mushrooms, and herbs are very low-carb.

No, not all Tom Yum pastes are low-carb. Many store-bought pastes contain added sugar and other additives. Always check the nutrition label for sugar content or consider making your own paste from scratch.

To make a low-carb version at home, use fresh herbs like lemongrass and galangal, make your own broth, and avoid any added sugar. Serve it without rice or noodles and add plenty of low-carb vegetables like mushrooms and cabbage.

Tom Kha soup is made with a coconut milk base, which contains more carbohydrates and fat than the clear, broth-based Tom Yum. Therefore, plain Tom Yum soup is typically lower in calories and carbs than Tom Kha.

Yes, adding coconut milk will increase both the fat and carb content of Tom Yum soup. While unsweetened coconut milk is still relatively low in carbs, it will increase the total macros compared to a clear, broth-based version.

The carb count is directly proportional to the serving size. A larger bowl of soup means a larger portion of all ingredients, including vegetables or any hidden sweeteners. Portions can vary widely, so a one-cup serving might have 9 grams of carbs, while a larger two-cup serving could have 18 grams.