Can you eat tom yum soup while pregnant?
Check firstYes, tom yum is safe when the shrimp and any other seafood are cooked through and the soup arrives steaming hot. Order it made fresh from the kitchen rather than taken from a buffet warmer, and skip versions finished with raw seafood.
Why
The soup itself is broth, lemongrass, lime, chili and mushrooms, none of which pose a pregnancy risk. The question is what is swimming in it: NHS guidance says raw and lightly cooked shellfish should be avoided in pregnancy because of food poisoning risk, while cooked shellfish is fine. Shrimp, the usual star of tom yum goong, is on the FDA Best Choices list for low mercury, so you can eat it two to three times a week. Cooked shrimp turns opaque and curls, so a bowl of properly simmered tom yum clears both bars at once.
Safer alternatives
- Tom yum gai made with chicken simmered in the broth
- Tom kha gai, the coconut milk version, served hot
- Vegetarian tom yum with tofu and straw mushrooms
- Hot and sour soup from a Chinese kitchen, served steaming
Sources
- NHS https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/keeping-well/foods-to-avoid/
- FDA https://www.fda.gov/food/consumers/advice-about-eating-fish
Every verdict follows our sourcing methodology: official health guidelines only, most cautious position when they differ.
Last reviewed by the pregAI editorial team.
Frequently asked questions
Is tom yum goong with shrimp safe during pregnancy?
Yes, as long as the shrimp is fully cooked, which it is in a simmering broth. Cooked shrimp looks opaque and pink rather than translucent grey. The FDA puts shrimp in its Best Choices group for low mercury, so it is one of the better seafoods to eat while pregnant.
How much shrimp can I eat in a week while pregnant?
The FDA recommends two to three servings a week of Best Choices fish and shellfish, which works out to 8 to 12 ounces total. Shrimp counts toward that. A restaurant bowl of tom yum goong usually holds well under one serving of shrimp.
Is the chili in tom yum a problem in pregnancy?
Spice is not a safety issue for the baby, so the heat level is entirely your call. It can make heartburn worse, which many people get more of in pregnancy. Ask for it mild if reflux is already bothering you.
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Get instant verdicts on any foodpregAI is informational only and is not medical advice. Always check with your doctor or midwife about anything specific to your pregnancy.