Main image via Killing Thyme + Travelvui
When we think about Thai food, our thoughts immediately think about a nice, steaming, sour and spicy bowl of tom yum soup.
If you’re like us and love tom yum too, you’ll be excited to hear that tom yum goong may soon be listed on the UNESCO world heritage list!
via GIPHY
After winning recognition on the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) world heritage list for its masked dance and traditional massages, Thailand is now looking to add the country’s most iconic dish on it’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list.
The Thai cabinet recently approved a Cultural Ministry proposal to nominate the dish that consists of a bowl of cooked shrimp in a spicy, sour and aromatic soup that comes in two varieties, clear and thick, to UNESCO for consideration.
To get on the intangible list - that consists of items that cannot be put in a glass case or charged admission to visit, the process takes at least two years.
Government spokesperson Traisulee Traisoranakul, who backed the notion, stated that the classic spicy shrimp and lemongrass soup reflects the “simplicity” of the Thai way of life and its agricultural communities.
UNESCO’s deadline for nominations is on 31st March, after which the nomination goes through a deliberative process before being evaluated for committee consideration.
According to Culture Minister Ittipol Khumpluem, he is confident that tom yum koong would make its way onto the highly sought-after list, especially given its popularity around the world.
The minister is also hopeful that the iconic dish’s recognition would give the country an economic boost, saying that a UNESCO listing would improve the recognition of Thai cuisine and bring more opportunites and income to the food industry.
We’d definitely love to see the beloved tom yum goong on UNESCO’s Intangible Heritage List!
Brb, going to have a bowl of tom yum now!
Do you love tom yum as much as we do? What’s your favourite version, the clear or thick? Let us know!
Info via Coconuts