Tom Kha Gai is a highly popular Thai soup known for its intense and aromatic flavors and its rich and creamy coconut-infused broth. Tom Kha Gai translates as “boiled galangal chicken.” Galangal looks similar to ginger and is related to it, but has a more peppery and pungent flavor. Use galangal for this recipe if you can find it (available at most well-stocked Asian markets) or substitute with ginger.
This is a quick and easy soup to make, but there is nothing simple about the deliciously complex flavors. Aroi Mak Mak! (That’s Thai for “Deeeeelicious!”)
Thai people love their food (and so do we!) and food is a central part of their culture. I have heard it said that Thai people don’t exchange “how are you?” as the common greeting. Rather, they ask “gin khao reu yung?, which means “have you eaten yet?” Now that’s my kind of greeting! Scratch the small talk and let’s get down to FOOD!
I wanted to create a version of this soup that was bursting with flavor, deliciously aromatic, and visually beautiful. Goal achieved! I’m confident you will agree.
*Note: For seafood version (Tom Kha Thale) and vegetarian-friendly, substitute shrimp for the chicken, vegetable broth for chicken broth, and follow the same preparation instructions.
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Tom Kha Gai
Ingredients
- 2 teaspoons oil
- 1 1/2 tablespoon Thai red curry paste can also be found in Asian markets
- 3 cups strong chicken stock
- 3 cups unsweetened coconut milk
- 1 large lemongrass stalk trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces
- 6 thin slices fresh galangal or ginger
- 2 Thai chilies seeded cut in thin slices (use less if you prefer it less spicy)
- 3 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- 2 tablespoons Asian fish sauce
- 1 lb chicken breast cut into thin strips
- 1 cup white button mushrooms sliced thinly
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves preferably Thai basil if you have it, thinly sliced
- Cilantro or basil leaves for garnishing
Instructions
- Warm the oil in a soup pot over medium heat. Add the curry paste, stirring until fragrant. Add the chicken stock, coconut milk, lemongrass, ginger, chilies, lime juice, and fish sauce and bring it to a simmer, about 5 minutes. Add the chicken strips and simmer for 15 minutes. Add the mushrooms and the 1/4 cup basil and simmer for another 5 minutes. Add salt to taste if needed. Remove the lemongrass and ginger and serve immediately, garnished with fresh basil leaves or cilantro.
Brian Woodward says
This is the best Tom Kha recipe out there! My wife is pescetarian so we use a strong vegetable stock and an assortment of veggies to fill in some of the “space” left behind without the chicken– still absolutely delicious!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Awesome, Brian, I’m so glad it was the hit and appreciate the compliment and feedback! I agree, this soup has so much flavor that the chicken really isn’t necessary at all.
Tim Wiedman says
Made this for dinner tonight and it was absolutely phenomenal! Will be making this again for guests. Thank you!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Fantastic, Tim, I’m so glad it was a hit, thank you!
Holly says
Hi, I really want to make this soup without the fish sauce, but I was wondering how much it might affect the flavor profile of the soup. Also, do you have a substitute recommendation for the Thai peppers?
Thank you so much!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Hi Holly, you can simply omit the fish sauce. The Thai peppers are primarily for heat, so you can omit those too and for color just add a few thin strips of red bell pepper. Happy cooking!
Sophie says
Tried this last night, it tasted just like It was from a Thai restaurant. This is my husband’s favourite soup and he was very impressed. Definitely will be making this again.
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Fantastic, Sophie, thanks so much!
Bill Keeler says
This looks like the stuff they serve at a local restaurant (Tottie’s Asian Fusion in Scottsdale, AZ). It seems to have the same ingredients, though Tottie won’t share her recipes. My wife and I are nuts about this stuff! I looked at a bunch of other recipes before finding this, and most of them are pale looking, and just ugly. I am so eager to make this recipe. THANKS!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Terrific, Bill, I hope you enjoy it, please let us know!
Bill Keeler says
My first try: pretty good. I used about 2 tbsps of grated ginger (and didn’t remove it). I also diced some lemon grass, and wound up straining it out of the broth before adding chicken and mushrooms and scallion greens. But I think next time I will cut down the chicken stock and use another half can of coconut milk. After cooking I found that about 1 tablespoon of paprika, and 2 tbsps of chili powder improved the flavor. (I had used plenty of chili paste, giving a nice spicy flavor, but the flavor lacked depth.)
Lindsey says
Wow!!! I made this tonight exactly as written it was delicious! Will definitely be making again.
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Fantastic, Lindsey, I’m so glad, thank you!
Victor says
Thanks Kimberly, your recipe continues to be my “go-to” when we are craving Tom Kha Gai. Thanks so much! The addition of the Thai curry paste makes it! We do however like it a bit more on the “coconuty” side…if that is indeed a word LOL! so I scale down on the stock and increase the coconut milk. Am sure that is a cardinal sin somewhere in the Kingdom of Thailand, but that makes it perfect for our Canadian taste buds during cold winters :-) Also, throwing in an extra thai red chili pepper or two gives it that added bang and welcome sweat. Thanks again! Victor
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Wonderful, Victor, I’m so happy to hear that! Coconut-ize away to your heart’s content, no cardinal sin as far as I’m concerned :) Thanks so much for the feedback! Kind regards, Kimberly
Aimee says
This was SO delicious! First really cold night, and it really hit the spot. Substituted red bell pepper for the Thai chili and used yellow curry because I had some–all else the same. Thanks, we’ll be making it again!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
I’m so glad to hear that, Aimee, thank you!
Despina says
Awesome recipe! I added some extra galangal and lemongrass, as I love those flavors. Next time I may use 1/2 full fat and 1/2 low fat coconut milk to cut some of the richness. Highly recommend this, will definitely make it again.
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Fantastic, Despina, thanks so much for the feedback!
Kristoffer says
Noodles would go well with this, right?
Don says
I just made it for the first time and the two tablespoons of fish sauce was way too overpowering–it tasted fantastic before I added it in at the end. I can see how the fish sauce adds depth but that much of it really obliterated the delicate flavors of lime, lemongrass, coconut, and chicken. I think next time, I’ll try one teaspoon of fish sauce. FYI… the fish sauce addition took it from 5 stars down to 3.
Maggie says
Thanks for posting. Delicious! I’m fortunate to live near Thai & Asian markets. I’ve discovered that lemongrass paste in a tube, fish sauce and red curry paste are now easily found in ‘regular’ grocery stores near me.
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Fantastic, thanks so much, Maggie!
Shelly says
This soup is amazing. I love it! I make it every time I feel under the weather. The Asian in me likes to add more ginger, lemongrass, lime, and fish sauce than what the recipe calls for. Also, I like to add 1.5 Tbls of brown sugar for a touch of sweetness. I used an entire pack of the cheap white mushrooms and half a brick of tofu instead of chicken. Delicious!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Wonderful, Shelly, I’m so glad you enjoyed it and appreciate the input and feedback!
Alice (Melbourne, Australia) says
Love this recipe. Making it the second time tonight. So good!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Wonderful, thanks so much, Alice!
Padmini Raman says
This is an absolutely brilliant recipe , super simple and high on flavour, even for a non-cook like me! Just love it, thanks. :)
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Thanks so much, Padmini!
lindsey says
Do you cook the chicken before placing in the soup? Thanks- I cant wait to try this!!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Hi Lindsey, no, the chicken cooks in the soup. Happy cooking!
Stephani Taylor says
There is a Thai Restaurant in town (Thai Cafe, Ingleside Tx) that makes the most amazing Tom Kha Gai. I went through a few recipes to find one that matched theirs and this one is perfect! It’s difficult to find galangal and lemon grass here so I use ginger and sometimes have to skip the lemon grass, though sometimes our grocery store has lemon grass bone broth.
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
That’s wonderful, Stephani, thanks so much!
Robyn says
I’ve been looking for this recipe for ages and this one was brilliant. Added a little more of curry paste and fish sauce but other that this was perfect. So delicious and making it again this week.
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Robyn, thank you!