Famous Thai Soup Recipes You Can Make at Home

Famous Thai Soup Recipes You Can Make at Home

Thai cuisine is renowned for its bold flavors and aromatic ingredients, and soups are no exception. They are often the centerpiece of a Thai meal, offering a perfect blend of spices, herbs, and fresh produce. Here are some famous Thai soup recipes you can easily make at home.

1. Tom Yum Goong (Spicy Shrimp Soup)

Tom Yum Goong is perhaps the most famous Thai soup, celebrated for its hot and sour flavors. To prepare this soup, you'll need:

  • 500g shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 4 cups water or chicken stock
  • 2 stalks lemongrass, cut into pieces
  • 4-5 kaffir lime leaves
  • 3-4 slices of galangal (or ginger)
  • 200g mushrooms, sliced
  • 3-4 Thai bird chilies, smashed
  • 2-3 tablespoons fish sauce
  • 1 tablespoon lime juice
  • Cilantro leaves for garnish

Start by boiling the water or chicken stock in a pot. Add lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, and galangal, letting it simmer for about 5-10 minutes to release the flavors. Next, add the mushrooms and shrimp, cooking until the shrimp turns pink. Lastly, stir in the fish sauce, lime juice, and chilies. Serve hot, garnished with cilantro.

2. Tom Kha Gai (Coconut Chicken Soup)

Tom Kha Gai is a creamy and fragrant soup made with coconut milk and chicken. Here’s what you’ll need:

  • 400g chicken breast, sliced
  • 4 cups coconut milk
  • 2 stalks lemongrass, cut and smashed
  • 5 slices galangal
  • 3-4 kaffir lime leaves
  • 200g mushrooms, sliced
  • 3-4 Thai bird chilies
  • 2-3 tablespoons fish sauce
  • 2 tablespoons lime juice
  • Fresh cilantro and green onions for garnish

In a pot, combine coconut milk, lemongrass, galangal, and kaffir lime leaves. Bring it to a gentle simmer. After about 10 minutes, add chicken and mushrooms, cooking until the chicken is fully cooked. Finish off with fish sauce, lime juice, and chilies. Serve garnished with cilantro and green onions for a refreshing touch.

3. Gaeng Jued (Thai Vegetable Soup)

Gaeng Jued is a light and healthy Thai vegetable soup that's perfect for a comforting meal. Ingredients include:

  • 4 cups vegetable or chicken broth
  • 200g tofu, cubed
  • 1 cup carrots, sliced
  • 1 cup spinach or bok choy
  • 2 stalks celery, sliced
  • 2-3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil
  • Fresh cilantro for garnish

In a pot, heat sesame oil and sauté garlic until fragrant. Add the broth and bring to a boil. Once boiling, add carrots, celery, and tofu, cooking until the vegetables are tender. Stir in soy sauce and spinach or bok choy. Serve hot, garnished with fresh cilantro.

4. Khao Soi (Northern Thai Coconut Curry Noodle Soup)

Khao Soi is a rich coconut curry soup with egg noodles, popular in Northern Thailand. Here’s what you need:

  • 200g egg noodles
  • 400g chicken or beef, cut into pieces
  • 2 cups coconut milk
  • 3 cups chicken stock
  • 2-3 tablespoons red curry paste
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 2 teaspoons sugar
  • Pickled mustard greens for garnish
  • Shallots, lime