SEOUL, December 05 (AJP) - Thailand's signature spicy and sour shrimp soup, Tom Yum Kung, has been added to UNESCO's Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity during a committee meeting in Asuncion, Paraguay.
"Tom Yum Kung from the central plains reflects the Thai way of life," said Culture Minister Sudawan Wangsupakitkosol, describing it as "healthy food made by farmers along the central plains' riverbanks using local ingredients." She added that the dish is "globally popular cuisine and an important soft power food item for Thailand."
The soup, known for its combination of spicy, sour, salty, and sweet flavors, joins Thailand's four other UNESCO intangible cultural heritage items: the Khon masked dance, Nora dance drama, traditional Thai massage, and Songkran festival. It is also recognized as one of the world's three greatest soups alongside French bouillabaisse and Chinese shark fin soup.
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