Dodee Paidang
If you're going to have tom yum, make it Dodee Paidang's.

When you can't be bothered to cook and you're craving something reliable and delicious, Thai food has your back. Dodee Paidang's house special is tom yum noodles. The recipe comes from the hugely popular Dodee Paidang chain in Thailand — owner Jiraporn Anukoonpajit claims to have perfected his recipe around 30 years ago, so you can be sure that it's lasted the test of time. Owner Somporn Phosri bought the recipe and opened up Sydney's three outposts — this one in Chatswood, plus Bondi Junction and Haymarket.
The legendary soup in question is a sweet and sour broth flavoured with lemongrass, galangal, lime and Thai herbs and jazzed up with seafood and meat. All you have to do is choose how hot you want it: the spice level ranges from 'monster' (level one) to 'super nova' (level seven). Not a big chilli fan? Opt for the no chilli broth, cheekily named 'nursery'.
Images: Cassandra Hannagan