Generally, yes, but it's customizable. Tom yum is supposed to be spicy, but it spans a range of mild to fiery. I've been eating tom yum goong since elementary school, and that version was barely spicy! So if your tolerance is low, you can add 1 Thai chili for this recipe and it'll make it tickle just a little. If you prefer something milder, check out my tom kha soup recipe. It uses all the same herbs, except it's enriched with coconut milk and is much less spicy and much more kid-friendly! Note: The Thai chili paste used in this recipe is very mild, so don't add less of it because you're afraid of the spice or you'll sacrifice the other flavours that come with it.