Tom Kha Gai

Tom kha gai — galangal chicken soup — is one of Thailand's most beloved one-pot meals, a fragrant coconut broth infused with galangal, lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, and the mild heat of bird's-eye chillies. Unlike its fiercer cousin tom yum, tom kha is softened by coconut milk into something simultaneously rich, sour, herbal, and deeply soothing. It is eaten any time of day, from breakfast noodle stalls to evening restaurant menus.

Serves: 4

Ingredients

• 600g (1.3 lb) boneless chicken thighs, sliced 1cm thick
• 800ml (3¼ cups) coconut milk
• 300ml (1¼ cups) chicken stock
• 6 slices fresh galangal (3mm thick)
• 2 stalks lemongrass, bruised and cut into 4cm pieces
• 6 kaffir lime leaves, torn
• 3–5 bird's-eye chillies, lightly bruised
• 200g (7 oz) oyster or straw mushrooms, torn
• 3 tbsp fish sauce
• 2 tbsp fresh lime juice
• 1 tsp palm sugar or light brown sugar
• Large handful fresh coriander and Thai basil to garnish

Instructions

1. Infuse the broth (8 minutes): Combine coconut milk and chicken stock in a pot over medium heat. Add galangal, lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, and chillies. Bring just to a simmer — do not boil hard or the coconut milk will break. Simmer 8 minutes to infuse aromatics.
2. Cook chicken (8–10 minutes): Add sliced chicken and mushrooms. Maintain a gentle simmer and cook 8–10 minutes until chicken is cooked through and mushrooms are tender.
3. Season: Add fish sauce, lime juice, and palm sugar. Taste and balance — the soup should be simultaneously rich, sour, salty, and lightly spiced.
4. Serve: Ladle into bowls over steamed jasmine rice or noodles if desired. Garnish generously with coriander and Thai basil.
5. Note on aromatics: Galangal, lemongrass, and lime leaves are flavouring agents — warn guests not to eat them.

Cook's Notes: Fresh galangal is non-negotiable; dried or powdered galangal produces a flat, medicinal result. If unavailable, increase fresh ginger to compensate, though the flavour profile changes significantly. The soup should never fully boil after the coconut milk is added.