Thailand By Food Enthusiasts · 6 min read

National Dish Thailand: Yum Tua Poo (Recipe)

Fresh Thai Yum Tua Poo salad with bean sprouts, herbs and chilli

In this article

Meet Yum Tua Poo, a vibrant Thai salad that is as refreshing as it is good for you. Built around tender, crisp bean sprouts and brightened with handfuls of fresh herbs, a squeeze of lime and a fragrant dressing, it captures the lively, balanced flavours that Thai cooking does so well. Quick to throw together and light on its feet, it is the perfect thing for a warm day — equally at home as a starter or a light main.

About Yum Tua Poo

Yum Tua Poo is a traditional Thai dish that is both refreshing and wholesome. The salad is built mainly around mung bean sprouts, which are tender and pleasingly crunchy. These are tossed with an array of fresh herbs, vegetables and an aromatic vinaigrette. The harmony of the ingredients gives the salad its lively flavour, reflecting the wonderful variety of Thai cuisine. The dish is quick and simple to make, which makes it ideal for warm days when you fancy something light. The aromas of fresh coriander, mint and a pinch of chilli are enough to liven up any table.

Ingredients (serves 1–2)

100 g mung bean sprouts
1 small carrot, grated
50 g red onion, finely chopped
1 handful fresh coriander
1 handful fresh mint
2–3 fresh chillies, to taste
2 tablespoons fish sauce
1 tablespoon lime juice
1 teaspoon sugar

Shopping for the ingredients

To make Yum Tua Poo you will need fresh, good-quality ingredients. Mung bean sprouts are available in most supermarkets and Asian grocers — look for sprouts that are fresh and crisp, as they are the star of the dish. The other ingredients, such as coriander and mint, are just as important, since they give the vinaigrette its aroma. Choose your chillies according to taste, whether mild or fiery — they bring that little extra to the salad. Fish sauce is a cornerstone of Thai cooking, though it can be swapped for a vegetarian alternative if needed. If you have trouble finding any of the ingredients, a dedicated Thai food shop is well worth a visit.

Preparing the dish

Preparing Yum Tua Poo is straightforward and takes only a few steps. First, rinse the mung bean sprouts carefully and let them drain. Meanwhile, grate the carrot and finely chop the onion. Together with the fresh herbs, these form the base of your salad. It is best to chop the fresh herbs just before assembling so they release their full aroma. For an extra layer of flavour, add the fresh chillies straight into the mix, adjusting the amount to your liking. Once everything is prepped, you are ready to bring the salad together.

Step-by-step instructions

Rinse the mung bean sprouts thoroughly and tip them into a large bowl.
Add the grated carrot and the chopped red onion.
Roughly chop the fresh herbs (coriander and mint) and add them to the mixture.
Add the fresh chillies to taste and toss everything together well.
In a small bowl, whisk together the fish sauce, lime juice and sugar until the sugar has dissolved.
Pour the vinaigrette over the salad and mix well.
Arrange the salad in bowls, garnish to taste, then serve straight away and enjoy.

Gluten-free / lactose-free version

Yum Tua Poo is naturally gluten-free and lactose-free, which makes it an ideal choice for anyone with intolerances. Do check, however, that the fish sauce you use is gluten-free — many brands offer special gluten-free versions that lose none of the flavour. To turn the salad into a vegan dish, simply swap the fish sauce for soy sauce or another plant-based alternative.

Tips for vegans and vegetarians

For a vegan version, leave out the fish sauce and replace it with a combination of soy sauce and a little extra lime juice. This gives the salad all the seasoning it needs while keeping it entirely plant-based. The freshness of the ingredients matters enormously here, as it has a real impact on the finished flavour. Fresh herbs such as basil or parsley are also an excellent way to fine-tune the taste to your liking.

More tips and tricks

To get the very best from your Yum Tua Poo, keep an eye on the balance of flavours. If the salad tastes too sharp, stir in an extra teaspoon of sugar. A pinch of salt can also help to intensify the aromas. Adjust the heat by varying the number of chillies until you hit just the right note for your palate.

Adapting the recipe to your taste

Yum Tua Poo is wonderfully adaptable. You can add other vegetables such as peppers or cucumber to shape the salad to your own taste. Different herbs, like dill or chives, open up new flavour combinations too. This flexibility lets you build the recipe around seasonal produce while folding plenty of healthy ingredients into your diet. If you enjoy this style of crunchy, herb-laden salad, you will find similar pleasures across Thai cuisine.

Ingredient substitutions

If some ingredients are hard to track down, there are plenty of alternatives. Instead of mung bean sprouts, you can use blanched soybean sprouts. In place of fresh chillies, a little chilli powder lets you dial the heat up to taste. And if you would rather not use fish sauce, a good-quality vegetable stock can lend a similar depth — much like the savoury backbone of Yam Talay or a bowl of Pad Pak Bung.

Drink pairing ideas

Yum Tua Poo pairs beautifully with light drinks that complement the salad’s bright flavours. A refreshing Thai iced tea, or simply a glass of water with a squeeze of lime, makes a perfect partner. For another non-alcoholic option, a Thai mango smoothie works a treat. If you would like something alcoholic, a light beer or a crisp white wine is well worth considering.

Serving and presentation ideas

Presentation can lift the whole Yum Tua Poo experience. Serve the salad in attractive bowls and garnish with fresh herbs and chillies. A thoughtful arrangement is a great way to show off the colours of the dish. Clear bowls work especially well, as they let the fresh ingredients shine through — appealing to the eye before the salad even reaches the palate.

A bit of history

Yum Tua Poo is more than just a salad; it tells a story of Thai cuisine. Traditionally it is served at festivals and celebrations, where it carries a special social meaning. The combination of fresh ingredients and bold aromas reflects the Thai philosophy that food is not merely about nourishment but about joy and togetherness. Recipes like this one are often handed down from generation to generation, forming part of the culture and identity of Thailand.

More recipe ideas

Summary: Yum Tua Poo

Yum Tua Poo is a delicious Thai salad that wins you over with the pairing of mung bean sprouts and an aromatic vinaigrette. With a generous mix of fresh herbs and crunchy vegetables, it delivers an unmistakable taste experience. Its simple preparation makes it a great choice for any occasion, whether as a light lunch or a home-cooked supper. Let the refreshing lightness and singular flavour of Yum Tua Poo win you over.