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–+ servings

Authentic Thai Coconut Soup (Tom Kha)

An authentic Thai coconut soup with fragrant lemongrass, tangy lime juice, succulent shrimp, and rich coconut milk that perfectly balances sweet, sour, salty and spicy flavors.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Soup
Cuisine: Thai
Calories: 368
Ingredients Method Nutrition

Ingredients
  

  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 2 tablespoons fresh ginger minced
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 stalks lemongrass tough outer layers removed and finely minced
  • 2 tablespoons red curry paste
  • 4 cups chicken broth
  • 3 cans 13.5 oz each coconut milk (use full-fat for best results)
  • 3 tablespoons fish sauce
  • 2 tablespoons palm sugar or brown sugar
  • 1 pound medium shrimp peeled and deveined
  • 8 oz mushrooms sliced (shiitake or button)
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
  • 1/4 cup fresh cilantro chopped
  • Thai bird chilies or red pepper flakes to taste
  • Green onions thinly sliced for garnish

Method
 

  1. Heat vegetable oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add ginger, garlic, and lemongrass and sauté until fragrant, about 2-3 minutes.
  2. Add the red curry paste and stir continuously for 1 minute to release its flavors and aroma.
  3. Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a gentle simmer. Cook for 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
  4. Add the coconut milk, fish sauce, and sugar. Stir well and simmer for 10 minutes, being careful not to boil rapidly.
  5. Add the mushrooms and cook for 3 minutes until slightly softened.
  6. Add the shrimp and cook just until they turn pink and opaque, about 2-3 minutes. Be careful not to overcook!
  7. Remove from heat and stir in lime juice.
  8. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed – add more fish sauce for saltiness, sugar for sweetness, or lime juice for sourness.
  9. Garnish with fresh cilantro, sliced green onions, and Thai chilies if desired.

Nutrition

Calories: 368kcalCarbohydrates: 9gProtein: 13gFat: 33gSaturated Fat: 28gCholesterol: 86mgSodium: 579mgFiber: 2gSugar: 2g
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