Tom Kha soup is a beloved Thai classic, renowned for its delicate balance of creamy coconut milk, vibrant aromatics, and savory chicken. This fragrant coconut chicken soup offers a soothing warmth that feels like a comforting embrace. It’s a perennial favorite in Thai cuisine, bringing an exotic touch to any meal. Today, I’m sharing an authentic Tom Kha recipe that simplifies traditional flavors without compromising their depth.
The origins of Tom Kha soup date back to around 1890, first appearing in a Thai recipe book. You can create this aromatic Thai soup right in your own kitchen, effortlessly bringing a taste of Thailand to your family table. Let’s make this incredible Tom Kha together.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Tom Kha Recipe
Cooking this Tom Kha recipe is more than just making a meal; it’s about creating warmth and connection. Here’s why you’ll cherish it:
- Authentic Thai Flavors: Experience the true taste of Thailand with fresh, bright aromatics perfectly balanced in this creamy coconut soup.
- Quick and Easy Preparation: Designed for busy families, this Tom Kha comes together surprisingly fast, making weeknight dinners special.
- Creamy, Comforting, and Aromatic: Each spoonful delivers a rich, soothing texture and an irresistible fragrance that fills your home with joy.
- Naturally Gluten-Free: Enjoy a hearty, healthy meal without worry, as this Tom Kha is naturally free from gluten.
- Adjustable Spice Level: Easily customize the heat to suit everyone’s palate, ensuring a delightful experience for the whole family.
This recipe brings comfort, simplicity, and joy to your kitchen, creating new family memories.
Ingredients
To create truly authentic Tom Kha, fresh, vibrant ingredients are essential. These build the soup’s distinctive layers of flavor, ensuring your Thai coconut chicken soup tastes rich and aromatic. Most are found at Asian markets, crucial for this incredible Thai soup.
- 2 cups chicken stock, unsalted, preferably homemade
- 1 ½ cups coconut milk, (see note 1)
- ½ teaspoon table salt
- 1 lb chicken thigh, boneless skinless, cut 1-inch pieces (see note 2)
- 1 stalk lemongrass, bottom half only, smashed and cut in 2-inch pieces
- 12 thin slices galangal, (see note 3)
- 5 makrut lime leaves, twisted to bruise and torn into big chunks
- 1-3 Thai chilies, to taste, smashed until broken or cut into large pieces
- 2 tablespoon fish sauce
- 1 teaspoon finely chopped palm sugar, or granulated sugar
- 5.5 oz oyster mushrooms, torn into bite-size pieces
- 2 ½ tablespoon lime juice
- chopped green onion and/or cilantro, for garnish
- Jasmine rice, for serving, optional
Notes & Substitutions
Here are key insights for your perfect Tom Kha:
- Coconut Milk: Use full-fat, unsweetened (Aroy-D/Chaokoh) for creaminess.
- Galangal: Essential for authentic Tom Kha flavor. Fresh/frozen. No ginger.
- Aromatics: Smash lemongrass, bruise lime leaves to release fragrance.
- Chili Heat: Adjust Thai chilies to taste.
- Mushrooms: Shiitake or straw can replace oyster mushrooms.
- Palm Sugar: Light brown or granulated sugar substitutes well.
- Chicken Breast: Slice thin, marinate, cook briefly for tenderness.
Equipment
Gathering your kitchen tools beforehand makes the cooking process smooth and enjoyable, especially for a new recipe like this creamy coconut soup. You likely have most of these on hand, making this Tom Kha accessible for every home cook.
- Large pot or Dutch oven
- Cutting board and sharp knife
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Mortar and pestle (optional, for chilies)
How To Make Tom Kha
Making Tom Kha at home is a joy, a simple act of love for your family. Follow these steps to create a fragrant and heartwarming Thai coconut chicken soup. Remember, cooking is about patience and connection, so savor each moment.
- Start the Stock: Bring 2 cups of chicken stock to a gentle boil in your large pot. Add ½ teaspoon of table salt.
- Add Chicken: Carefully add 1 lb of 1-inch chicken thigh pieces to the simmering stock. Reduce the heat and gently simmer for 15 minutes, or until the chicken is fork-tender. This step ensures the chicken is cooked through and flavorful.
- Introduce Coconut Milk & Aromatics: Stir in 1 ½ cups of coconut milk, the smashed 2-inch lemongrass pieces, 12 thin slices of galangal, and 5 bruised makrut lime leaves. Add 1-3 smashed Thai chilies (adjust to your preferred spice level).
- Incorporate Mushrooms & Seasoning: Add 5.5 oz of torn oyster mushrooms, about half (1 tablespoon) of the fish sauce, and 1 teaspoon of finely chopped palm sugar.
- Simmer for Infusion: Gently simmer the mixture for 5 minutes. This allows all the beautiful aromatics to infuse the coconut milk, creating the signature fragrant base of your Tom Kha. The kitchen will smell amazing!
- Season & Finish: Remove the pot from the heat. Add about 2 tablespoons of fresh lime juice. Taste the soup. Now is the time to adjust: add more fish sauce for saltiness, a touch more sugar for sweetness, or a little more lime juice for tang, achieving that perfect balance.
- Garnish and Serve: Stir in chopped green onion and/or cilantro just before serving.
- Enjoy: Serve your hot Tom Kha with jasmine rice, if desired, or as a comforting bowl on its own. Remember, the large herb pieces are for flavor only; they are not meant to be eaten. You can remove them or advise your guests. This makes the Tom Kha experience delightful.
This simple process brings a complex yet comforting Thai soup to your table.
Pro Tips & Troubleshooting
Achieve the best Tom Kha with these insights:
- Balancing Flavors: The heart of Tom Kha lies in perfectly balancing sweet, sour, salty, and spicy. Taste and adjust with lime, fish sauce, or sugar to create your ideal creamy coconut soup.
- Ingredient Sourcing: Find fresh Thai ingredients like galangal and makrut lime leaves at Asian markets; they make a big difference in your homemade Thai soup.
- Common Mistakes: Prevent tough chicken by avoiding overcooking. Ensure deep flavor by bruising aromatics well.
- Quick Stock: Simmer chicken drumettes for 20-30 minutes for a fast, flavorful chicken stock base.
Serving, Storage & Variations
Share the joy of this comforting Tom Kha with your loved ones.
- Serving Suggestions: Serve your hot Tom Kha immediately with jasmine rice, or as a delightful part of a larger Thai meal.
- Care & Reheating: Store cooled soup in an airtight container for up to one week refrigerated, or freeze for up to 3 months. Gently reheat on stovetop or microwave. Always add fresh lime and herbs after warming to revive bright flavors.
- Variations: Experiment with proteins like shrimp, fish, or tofu. For a vegan Tom Kha, use vegetable broth, mushrooms, tofu, and tomatoes, substituting fish sauce. Add extra vegetables like baby corn or snow peas for more texture in this creamy coconut soup.
Nutrition
Understanding the nourishment our food provides is part of mindful cooking. This delightful Tom Kha offers a balanced meal that fuels your body with warmth and goodness. It’s a comforting Thai coconut chicken soup, rich in protein and healthy fats from the coconut milk, with a modest amount of carbohydrates.
Enjoy this flavorful Thai soup knowing it supports your well-being. This information is approximate and for a single serving.
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 332 kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 8 g |
| Protein | 25 g |
| Fat | 23 g |
| Saturated Fat | 17 g |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1 g |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 2 g |
| Trans Fat | 1 g |
| Cholesterol | 108 mg |
| Sodium | 1426 mg |
| Potassium | 695 mg |
| Fiber | 1 g |
| Sugar | 2 g |
| Vitamin A | 52 IU |
| Vitamin C | 4 mg |
| Calcium | 35 mg |
| Iron | 5 mg |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Here are some common questions about making this comforting Tom Kha at home.
What can I use instead of galangal?
Galangal is truly essential for authentic Tom Kha flavor. You can find it fresh or frozen in Asian markets. Ginger is not a good substitute as its flavor profile is entirely different.
Can I make Tom Kha soup in advance?
Yes, this soup develops more flavor overnight. Prepare it a day ahead, store in the fridge, and gently reheat. Add fresh lime juice and herbs just before serving.
How do I adjust the spice level?
For less spice, use fewer Thai chilies or remove the seeds. For more heat, add extra smashed chilies, or offer chili oil/flakes on the side.
Is Tom Kha healthy?
This soup, when made with fresh ingredients, offers lean protein and healthy fats. It can be part of a balanced diet, especially when portion-controlled.
Final Thoughts
Creating this authentic Tom Kha soup is a journey of flavors and a heartwarming connection to Thai culinary traditions. We hope this easy recipe empowers you to bring the fragrant comfort of this creamy coconut soup into your home. Embrace the joy of simple cooking, sharing this aromatic Thai soup with your loved ones. Each spoonful is a reminder of the beautiful memories we create together in the kitchen. Enjoy your homemade Tom Kha!
Authentic Tom Kha Soup
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Bring chicken stock to a boil, then add the salt and chicken thigh; simmer gently for 15 minutes or until the chicken is fork tender.
- Add the coconut milk, lemongrass, galangal, makrut lime leaves, chilies, mushrooms, about half of the fish sauce, and sugar; simmer for 5 minutes to infuse the flavors.
- Taste and adjust seasoning by adding more fish sauce as needed. Turn off the heat and stir in about 2 tablespoons of lime juice, then taste and add more if desired; top with chopped green onions and/or cilantro.
- Serve the soup with jasmine rice as part of a larger Thai meal, or enjoy it on its own. Remember that the herbs are for infusion only and are not meant to be eaten, so remove them or inform your guests.
Notes
Hi there, I’m chef living in New York City. Every morning, I wake up to the sounds of my little one’s laughter and the comforting routine of preparing breakfast for my family my husband, our child, and my beloved mother, who’s become both my rock and my inspiration since my father passed away. As the only daughter left in our family, I feel a deep responsibility to carry on his memory whenever I step into the kitchen.
- Dominique
- Dominique
- Dominique
- Dominique
