BANGKOK — In a historic moment for Thai cuisine, Tom Yum Kung, Thailand’s internationally renowned spicy and sour shrimp soup, has been officially inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The announcement came during the 19th Session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage in Asunción, Paraguay, on December 4.
The beloved dish, whose origins can be traced back to a fish-based variant documented in 1889, gained its modern form through a royal connection. The shrimp version was first recorded in a cookbook titled “Royal Cuisine” by M.R. Kitinadda Kitiyakorn, a close relative of Queen Sirikit, the Queen Mother, in 1964.
Tom Yum Kung’s journey to international recognition began in 2001 when it was listed as part of Thailand’s national cultural heritage, specifically under the category of knowledge and practices concerning nature and the universe. The Thai Cabinet approved its nomination for UNESCO status in 2022, highlighting the dish’s significance in reflecting Thai agricultural communities’ simple way of life along the central region’s waterways.
The nomination emphasized three key aspects of the dish’s cultural significance. First, it represents oral traditions, with recipes traditionally passed down through generations by word of mouth. Second, it reflects Thai Buddhist social practices, particularly among farming communities who preferred smaller aquatic animals like river shrimp for sustenance. Third, it demonstrates traditional knowledge of nature, incorporating seasonal ingredients and health-promoting herbs.
“This recognition celebrates not just a dish, but our cultural heritage,” said Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra in a video message at the ceremony. “I invite everyone to experience Tom Yum Kung at Thai restaurants worldwide or try making it at home, becoming part of preserving this intangible cultural heritage.”
Tom Yum Kung becomes Thailand’s fifth inscription on UNESCO’s intangible cultural heritage list, joining Khon masked dance drama, Thai massage, Nora dance drama, and Songkran festival.
The dish’s recognition underscores its role in Thai culture, combining local ingredients like river shrimp with health-promoting herbs such as galangal, lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, chilies, and lime, all traditionally grown in home gardens.
The soup’s UNESCO status acknowledges its importance not just as a culinary achievement, but as a reflection of Thailand’s agricultural heritage, sustainable living practices, and the deep connection between Thai people and their natural environment.
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