DISH RESEARCH · Soup
Tom Kha Gai
Also known as: ต้มข่าไก่
Pailin Chongchitnant’s tom kha gai simmers chicken thigh in stock, then adds coconut milk, galangal, lemongrass, makrut lime leaves and oyster mushrooms. Fish sauce, palm sugar and lime juice season the soup.
About Tom Kha Gai
Research draft based on the references below. These notes describe particular recipes and presentations; ingredient connections are still being reviewed.
Chongchitnant presents tom kha gai as a creamy Thai chicken soup whose characteristic herb is galangal. This account follows her thigh-and-stock version, with oyster mushrooms and palm sugar.
Boneless chicken thigh pieces simmer with unsalted chicken stock and table salt. Coconut milk then enriches the liquid.
Smashed lemongrass, sliced galangal, bruised makrut lime leaves, Thai chillies and torn oyster mushrooms join the pot. Fish sauce and palm sugar are added while the herbs infuse.
The fish sauce is adjusted to taste before the heat is turned off. Lime juice is added afterward, with more reserved juice available for adjustment.
This version finishes with both green onion and coriander. The author identifies the woody herbs as infusion ingredients, with removal before serving offered; jasmine rice is a separate optional accompaniment.
Ingredients in Tom Kha Gai
Recorded ingredient connections, rather than a complete recipe. Explore an ingredient for more detail.
- Chickenprotein
- Mushroomfilling
- Cilantrogarnish
- Fish sauceother
- Coconut milkother
- Limeother
- Lemongrassother
- Galangalother
- Mushroomsother
- Chilli pepperseasoning
- Makrut lime leafseasoning
Ingredient connections awaiting review. Versions and preparation vary.
Origins & food traditions
Explore the countries and cooking traditions associated with this dish. These connections do not establish a single birthplace or limit where the dish is eaten today.
Countries
Cuisines & regions
Associations in the cited sources
These describe source-specific cultural or geographic connections. Catalogue links may still need review.
- Countries & places
- Thailand
- Cooking traditions
- Thai