- 2 liters of water
- 4 stalks of lemongrass
- 1 inch chunk of galangal
- 10 kaffir lime leaves
- 10 Thai chilies
- 5 cloves of garlic
- ½ kilo shrimp
- 300 grams of oyster mushrooms
- 2 roma tomatoes
- 2 white onions (medium sized)
- 2 teaspoons of sugar
- 8 - 12 tablespoons of fish sauce (depending on your taste)
- 8 - 12 tablespoons of lime juice (10 - 15 limes) Handful of cilantro
10 tablespoons evaporated milk
Taste test, you may need to add more lime juice or fish sauce as the milk and roasted chili sauce throws off the sourness and saltiness.
- Pop the Heads. As mentioned, whole shrimp with heads is a very important ingredient, because you need to make “shrimp oil” to achieve the right flavor. The oil is made from sauteeing shrimp heads in oil, to release the shrimp flavor into the oil. Pull the heads off the shrimp and place them in a wok or large skillet.
- Sizzle. Add the oil to the skillet. Add a good pinch of salt. Sauté the shrimp heads in the oil, cooking until they are red and crispy, and the oil is red as well.
- Smash. Trim the lemongrass stalks and galangal. Use a meat mallet or the side of a knife to smash the lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, onion, chilies, and galangal. This helps release their flavors into the broth.
- Simmer. Place the aromatics in a medium soup pot and add water. Simmer for 5-10 minutes, until the broth smells fresh and fragrant.
- Shrimp It Up. Stir in the mushrooms, shrimp, and fish sauce. Simmer just long enough for the shrimp to cook.
- Shrimp Oil. Stir in the shrimp oil and lime juice. Then throw the heads away.

















