Tom kha kai facts for kids
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| Alternative names | Chicken coconut soup, galangal soup |
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| Type | Soup |
| Place of origin | Thailand and Laos |
| Associated national cuisine | Thailand and Laos |
| Serving temperature | hot |
| Main ingredients | Coconut milk, galangal, lemon grass, kaffir lime leaves, mushrooms and chicken |
Tom kha kai, also known as Thai coconut soup, is a yummy and famous soup from Thailand. It's a hot soup that tastes both spicy and a little sour. The main ingredient that gives it a creamy texture is coconut milk. It's a very popular dish in both Thai and Lao cooking.
Contents
What's in Tom Kha Kai?
Most Tom kha kai recipes use special ingredients that give it a unique taste. These include creamy coconut milk and a root called galangal. Galangal is like ginger but has a stronger, more citrusy flavor.
Other key ingredients are kaffir lime leaves and lemongrass. These add a fresh, zesty smell and taste. For a spicy kick, Thai chilies are often added. You might also find coriander or dill in the soup.
The soup usually has straw mushrooms or shiitake mushrooms. Of course, chicken is a main part of "Tom kha kai," as "kai" means chicken. To balance the flavors, fish sauce and lime juice are used. Sometimes, fried chilies are added for extra spice.
Different Kinds of Tom Kha
There are a few ways to make Tom kha kai, especially between Thai and Lao styles.
Thai vs. Lao Style
In Thailand, people usually don't use a herb called dill weed in their Tom kha kai. But in Laos, dill weed is a common herb in their cooking, so they often add it to their Tom kha kai.
Thai cooks use coriander (also called cilantro) instead of dill weed. They even call coriander "phak chi Lao" sometimes, because it's known as a Lao herb in Thailand.
Other Tasty Variations
While "kai" means chicken, Tom kha can be made with other main ingredients too!
- Tom kha thale uses seafood.
- Tom kha het is made with different kinds of mushrooms.
- Tom kha mu has pork.
- Tom kha taohu uses tofu, which is a great option for vegetarians.
How Tom Kha Started
A long time ago, in the late 1800s, Tom kha wasn't a soup like it is today. It was a dish where chicken or duck was cooked in a light coconut broth. It had a lot of galangal in it. People would eat it with a special roasted chili dip. Over time, it changed into the delicious soup we know now!
Gallery
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Tom kha kai at a restaurant
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Tom kha kai
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Tom kha, Thai coconut soup, Chiang Mai
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See also
In Spanish: Tom kha kai para niños
