Authentic Tom Kha Gai Recipe & Video - Seonkyoung Longest (2024)

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Authentic Tom Kha Gai Recipe & Video - Seonkyoung Longest (1)

Authentic Tom Kha Gai Recipe!

This is the BEST EVER & the Authentic Tom Kha Gai, Thai coconut soup recipe.

Tom means soup, Kha means “galangal”, a type of aromatic root vegetable. Galangal looks similar with ginger, but the aroma is completely different. Ginger is more spicy, pungent than galangal. Also galangal has a more earthier fragrance and mild flavor.

Gai means chicken, so this soup recipe includes chicken. But actually, the soup name is “Tom Kha” and whatever at the end is the main protein. For example, if your tom kha has shrimp (Koong), it will be tom kha koong.

Authentic Tom Kha Gai Recipe & Video - Seonkyoung Longest (2)

So yes, you can use chicken, shrimp, beef, pork, tofu or extra vegetables to your taste! 😙

This coconut-ty and creamy soup is so perfect to warm your soul, heart and body during this time of year. So what are we waiting for? Let’s get started!

Check out more Asian at Home Thai Recipes!

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https://seonkyounglongest.com/pad-thai/

https://seonkyounglongest.com/pad-prik-king/

https://seonkyounglongest.com/thai-grilled-chicken-salad/

https://seonkyounglongest.com/thai-chicken-rice-soup/

https://seonkyounglongest.com/drunken-noodles/

Check out more Asian at Home Thai Recipes!

Authentic Tom Kha Gai Recipe & Video - Seonkyoung Longest (3)
Authentic Tom Kha Gai Recipe & Video - Seonkyoung Longest (4)
Authentic Tom Kha Gai Recipe & Video - Seonkyoung Longest (5)
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Authentic Tom Kha Gai Recipe & Video - Seonkyoung Longest (7)

Cut 1 large or 2 small lemongrass into small pieces and clean up 2 oz galangal. Remove stems from 1 to 3 Thai chilis. Pound lemongrass with mortar and pastor then galangal and Thai chilis. This way, the aroma and natural oil will be released from the vegetables.

Authentic Tom Kha Gai Recipe & Video - Seonkyoung Longest (8)
Authentic Tom Kha Gai Recipe & Video - Seonkyoung Longest (9)
Authentic Tom Kha Gai Recipe & Video - Seonkyoung Longest (10)
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Authentic Tom Kha Gai Recipe & Video - Seonkyoung Longest (12)

Dice 2 medium or 4 small shallots, cut 1 large tomato into 8 to 10 wedges.
Remove stamps from 2 to 3 kaffir lime leaves and clean up and separate 5 oz of your favorite mushrooms (I like oyster or beech mushrooms for this recipe)

If you can’t fine fresh kaffir lime leaves at your local Asian grocery stores, use dried one! Dried kaffir lime leases are easy to fine on Amazon!

Authentic Tom Kha Gai Recipe & Video - Seonkyoung Longest (13)
Authentic Tom Kha Gai Recipe & Video - Seonkyoung Longest (14)

Slice 2 tsp palm sugar if you are using a harden one. You can use regular sugar too but palm sugar makes the sweet flavor more mild and round.

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Authentic Tom Kha Gai Recipe & Video - Seonkyoung Longest (17)

Chop 2 green onions and handful of cilantro for garnish later.
Lastly, cut 1 chicken breast into bite size. Set aside.

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Pour chicken broth into a wok or medium size pot. Add lemongrass, galangal and shallot. Bring it to boil over medium high heat, then add palm sugar, 2 tbsp fish sauce, 1 can(13.5 oz) of coconut milk, tomatoes, mushrooms, lime leaves, Thai chilies and chicken. Stir gently and bring it to a light simmer, then reduce heat to medium and gently simmer for 6 minutes or until chicken is fully cooked.

Cooking it low and gentle and stirring into one direction is the key for the coconut milk to not saperate.

Authentic Tom Kha Gai Recipe & Video - Seonkyoung Longest (24)
Authentic Tom Kha Gai Recipe & Video - Seonkyoung Longest (25)
Authentic Tom Kha Gai Recipe & Video - Seonkyoung Longest (26)

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Authentic Tom Kha Gai Recipe & Video - Seonkyoung Longest (28)

You can add some chili oil to your taste for more kick! I usually like as creamy and smooth as is though. ☺️

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Authentic Tom Kha Gai Recipe & Video - Seonkyoung Longest (30)

Add green onion and cilantro. Turn off the heat. Lastly, add lime juice. 1/4 cup if you like more creamier soup and 1/3 cup if you want more tangy flavor in your soup.

Stir gently one last time and serve with warm cooked jasmine rice!

Enjoy!

Authentic Tom Kha Gai Recipe & Video - Seonkyoung Longest (31)

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Authentic Tom Kha Gai Recipe & Video - Seonkyoung Longest (32)

Authentic Tom Kha Gai

★★★★★4.9 from 11 reviews
  • Author: Seonkyoung
  • Total Time: 20 mins
  • Yield: 4 1x
Print Recipe

Ingredients

Scale

  • 2 cups chicken broth
  • 1 large or 2 small lemongrass, pounded
  • 2 oz galangal, pounded
  • 2 medium or 4 small shallots, diced
  • 2 tsp palm sugar
  • 2 tbsp fish sauce
  • 1 can (13.5 oz) coconut milk
  • 1 large tomato
  • 5 oz mushrooms (I like oyster or beech mushrooms but you can use your favorite mushrooms)
  • 2 to 3 kaffir lime leaves, removed stems
  • 1 to 3 Thai chilies, pounded
  • 10 oz chicken, sliced into bite size (approximately 1 chicken breast or 2 chicken thighs)
  • 2 green onions, chopped
  • Handful cilantro, chopped
  • 1/4 to 1/3 cup freshly squeezed lime juice (approximately 2 to 3 limes)

Instructions

  1. Pour chicken broth into a wok or medium size pot. Add lemongrass, galangal and shallot. Bring it to boil over medium high heat, then add palm sugar, fish sauce, coconut milk, tomatoes, mushrooms, lime leaves, Thai chilies and chicken. Stir gently and bring it to a light simmer, then reduce heat to medium and gently simmer for 6 minutes or until chicken is fully cooked.
  2. Add green onion and cilantro. Turn off heat. Lastly, add lime juice. 1/4 cup if you like more creamier soup and 1/3 cup if you want more tangy flavor in your soup. Stir gently one last time and serve with warm cooked jasmine rice! Enjoy!
  • Prep Time: 10 mins
  • Cook Time: 10 mins

Related

Authentic Tom Kha Gai Recipe & Video - Seonkyoung Longest (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between Tom Kha and Tom Kha Gai? ›

Perhaps you have seen “Tom Kha Gai” on the menu at Thai restaurants- “Tom Kha” means galangal (flavorful relative of ginger) soup and “Tom Kha Gai” refers to the chicken version of the soup. And “Tom Yum” refers to a different Thai soup that has a tomato base instead of coconut milk.

What is the difference between Tom Yum Goong and Tom Kha Gai? ›

Tom Yum is much spicier, and has a clear broth. Tom Kha uses coconut milk to stabilize and mellow the flavors, making it both sweeter and slightly heavier. While both soups can be made with a variety of proteins, tom yum usually calls for shrimp, while tom kha is commonly made with chicken.

In which country can you eat Tom Kha Gai? ›

Take for example the dish Tom Kha Gai (or Tom Kha Kai): A hot and sour soup with chicken and coconut milk popular in Thai and Laotian cuisine, the name of the dish quite literally translates into cooked chicken galangal (tom = cooked, kha = galangal, gai = chicken).

What is the difference between Tom Kha and Tom Yu? ›

What is Tom Kah Gai? It's a spicy Thai coconut soup with galangal and chicken. Tom Kha is a creamy-spicy soup, made with coconut milk, whereas Tom Yum is a non-creamy, hot and sour soup, often containing prawns (shrimp).

Which is healthier Tom Yum or Tom Kha soup? ›

Best: Tom Yum Soup

Tom yum has fewer than 100 calories per cup. It also has shrimp, veggies, and fragrant spices, such as lemongrass. Tom yum and other broth-based soups, like tofu-vegetable or wonton, are usually lower in fat and calories than soups made with coconut milk, such as tom kha.

Is Tom Kha good for you? ›

The nutritional benefits of Tom Kha Gai are as varied as its ingredients. Chicken, the soup's traditional protein, is an excellent source of lean protein, crucial for muscle repair and overall body health.

What does Tom mean in Thai? ›

The Thai word for “boil” or tom (pronounced “dtome”) features prominently on Thai menus and tom yum goong is probably one of the most famous Thai dishes in the world.

What does Yum mean in Tom Yum? ›

The name "tom yam" is composed of two Thai words. Tom refers to the boiling process, while yam means 'mixed'.

How healthy is Thai food? ›

Traditional Thai cuisine is quite healthy and largely based on vegetables, lean proteins, and fresh herbs and spices. Certain Thai dishes are high in refined carbs and may contain deep-fried foods, added sugar, or high amounts of salt.

Does Thai use cilantro? ›

Cilantro parts abound in Thai cuisine. The strong flavor is often balanced with equally assertive ingredients, which together make the cilantro's flavor less glaring. But not everyone is on board. Many find cilantro to taste soapy or worse.

What does Tom Kha mean in English? ›

Now that we've established that “tom” means “boiling a broth”, knowing that “kha” means galangal will quickly help us understand that this soup's main ingredient is the galangal (don't confuse it with “king” or ginger now!).

Does Tom Kha soup permanently increase energy? ›

Is the increase permenant? No, it's temporary. The only way to permanently increase your max energy is to eat stardrops.

Which Thai soup is best for cold? ›

Tom Ka Gai or Tom Yam: Thai Coconut Soup

Additional benefits: eases congestion and stimulates your taste buds; a plus given that your sense of taste is diminished during a flu or cold which contributes to lack of appetite. If you have someone who can cook the soup for you, that's great.

What does Tom Yum mean in Thai? ›

Originated in Thailand, this is sometimes called Tom Yam and is a soup that normally includes shrimp in a hot and sour serving. The words Tom Yam mean “boiling” or “hot” and “spicy and sour” which perfectly describes this soup. As a staple Thai dish, this famous Tom Yum Goong is served in Thai Square.

What are the different types of Tom Kha? ›

Variations. There are other versions of tom kha kai made with seafood (tom kha thale, Thai: ต้มข่าทะเล), mushrooms (tom kha het, Thai: ต้มข่าเห็ด), pork (tom kha mu, Thai: ต้มข่าหมู) and tofu (tom kha taohu, Thai: ต้มข่าเต้าหู้).

What are the two types of Tom Yum soup? ›

There are two different types of Tom Yum soup. The original Tom Yum is a clear soup called Tom Yum Nam Sai. The later version, which is commonly seen and widely adored, is a vibrant-coloured, richer and creamier soup called Tom Yum Nam Khon as it has roasted chilli paste, evaporated milk or coconut cream added to it.

Is tom yam and Tom Yum the same thing? ›

Tom yum or tom yam is a type of hot and sour Thai soup, usually cooked with shrimp (prawn). Tom yum has its origin in Thailand. In recent years,tom yam has been popularised around the world. The words “tom yam” are derived from two Thai words.

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