Tom kha gai
Tom kha gai from Thailand. Times were inferred from the source steps.
Imported from TheMealDB. Times and card copy were filled in for this listing, not kitchen-tested.
0 people cooked this in the public kitchen yet. Kitchen-tested by I Want Some Food. Not a purchased rating.
- Prep
- 10 min
- Cook
- 23 min
- Total
- 33 min
- Difficulty
- A bit of work
- Spice
- Mild
- Cost
- Weeknight budget$8–16 USD · indicative, not a store price
About
Tom kha gai is listed as chicken from Thailand. The steps below are the imported TheMealDB method, not an editorial rewrite. Times shown were read from those steps.
Ingredients
- Chicken800 ml
- Coconut milk800 g
- Galangal Paste30 ml
- Lemon2
- Lime8
- Chicken500 g
- Mushrooms300 g
- Fresh chilli6
- Sugar15 ml
- Fish sauce74 ml
- Lime, juice1
- Corianderto taste
- Riceto taste
Scaling multiplies the written quantities. Baking still prefers a scale.
Steps
Step 1
Pour the chicken stock and coconut milk into a large saucepan set over a medium heat. Tip in the galangal, lemongrass and lime leaves, and bring to a gentle simmer, around 6-8 mins. Keeping at a gentle simmer, add the chicken. Cook for 8-10 mins until tender and cooked through.
18 minStep 2
Stir in the mushrooms and chillies, and simmer for a further 3-5 mins until everything is cooked through. Sprinkle in the sugar and 3 tbsp each of the fish sauce and lime juice. Taste and add the remaining if required.
5 minStep 3
Remove the galangal, lemongrass and lime leaves before serving using a slotted spoon. Ladle into bowls and serve with coriander leaves sprinkled over and steamed rice on the side. Will keep chilled for up to three days. Leave to cool first.
Adapt this recipe
The canonical recipe stays intact. Personal versions are labelled. Serving changes are maths, not AI.
Adaptations · 0 / 15 used. Resets 24 August.
Substitutions
chicken → tofu
Press firm tofu, marinate as you would the chicken, and cook until browned. This is an adaptation, not the original dish.
lemon → lime
Same acidity, different perfume. Taste before you repeat the squeeze.
lime → lemon
Works in most savoury cooking. Desserts may notice.
chilli (paprika or chilli flakes) → paprika or chilli flakes
Paprika is milder and sweeter. Add cayenne if you still want heat.
fish-sauce (soy sauce + lime) → soy sauce + lime
Salty and bright, not funky. A mashed anchovy is closer if fish is acceptable.
Tips
- Times on this listing were inferred from the imported method, not kitchen-tested.
History & culture
Editorial cultural notes have not been written for this imported dish.
Editorial history has not been written for this imported dish.
Inspired by
Provenance: Imported. Initial recipe data sourced from TheMealDB and adapted/reviewed by I Want Some Food. Times on this listing were inferred from the imported method, not kitchen-tested.
Questions about this recipe
Answers taken from this dish's times, amounts, swaps and tips — not a chatbot.
How long does Tom kha gai take?
33 min all in — 10 min prep, 23 min cook. That is the time on this recipe, not a guess.
How many does it serve?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Scale the ingredient list on the page if you are cooking for a different number.
How hard is it?
A bit of work.
How spicy is it?
Mild.
What allergens should I watch?
This recipe is labelled for Milk, Fish. Labels are informational — check the packets in your kitchen. This is not medical advice.
Does it fit a diet?
The published recipe is labelled Gluten-free, Nut-free.
What does it cost to cook?
Weeknight budget — about $8–16 USD, as a grocery budget for this recipe, not a restaurant price.
What equipment do I need?
Saucepan.
How much salt do I put in?
This recipe does not list salt as its own ingredient. Saltiness comes from Fish sauce — 5 tbsp. Taste at the end rather than adding a number we did not write.
How much sugar?
1 tbsp of Sugar.
How much fish sauce?
5 tbsp of Fish sauce.
What can I use instead?
chicken → tofu. Press firm tofu, marinate as you would the chicken, and cook until browned. This is an adaptation, not the original dish. lemon → lime. Same acidity, different perfume. Taste before you repeat the squeeze. lime → lemon. Works in most savoury cooking. Desserts may notice. chilli (paprika or chilli flakes) → paprika or chilli flakes. Paprika is milder and sweeter. Add cayenne if you still want heat. fish-sauce (soy sauce + lime) → soy sauce + lime. Salty and bright, not funky. A mashed anchovy is closer if fish is acceptable.
Any tips from this recipe?
Times on this listing were inferred from the imported method, not kitchen-tested.
Can I use an air fryer?
This method is not written for an air fryer. The core technique on the page still applies.