My Recipe Box

Vegetable Tom Kha Soup

A spicy and sour Thai coconut soup filled with an assortment of vegetables, perfect for a chilly evening.
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MEDIUM
Prep: 15-20 mins
Cook: 20-25 mins
Serves: 4
Author: AstridJens

4.2 / 5 (751)


Ingredients

Spices and Flavorings
  • lemongrass

    2 stalks

  • galangal

    1 thumb-sized piece

  • Thai red curry paste

    2 tablespoons

Vegetables
  • button mushrooms

    1 cup

  • baby corn

    1 cup

  • bell peppers

    1 large pepper, sliced

Liquid and Coconut
  • coconut milk

    1 can (14 oz)

  • vegetable broth

    2 cups

  • water

    1 cup

Seasonings and Garnish
  • fish sauce

    1 tablespoon

  • lime juice

    2 tablespoons

  • Thai basil

    chopped, for garnish


Instructions

  • 1
    Start by preparing the lemongrass and galangal, bruising them gently with the back of a knife to release their oils and aromas.

    To prepare the lemongrass, cut off the tough tops and bases, then bruise the stalks. For the galangal, peel the skin, and bruise it similarly. This step helps in releasing the essential oils and flavors from these aromatics, which are crucial for the authentic taste of Tom Kha soup.

  • 2
    In a large pot, heat some oil over medium heat, then add the Thai red curry paste and cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant.

    Heat about 2 tablespoons of oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the curry paste and stir constantly to prevent burning. The curry paste will become fragrant quickly, usually within a minute, signaling it's ready for the next ingredients.

  • 3
    Add the bruised lemongrass and galangal to the pot, stir well, and cook for another minute to infuse the flavors.

    Add the prepared lemongrass and galangal to the pot. Stir well to combine with the curry paste, ensuring all ingredients are coated. Allow this mixture to cook for a minute, which helps in infusing the broth with the deep, aromatic flavors of lemongrass and galangal.

  • 4
    Pour in the vegetable broth, water, and bring the mixture to a simmer.

    Add the vegetable broth and water to the pot. Stir well, then bring the mixture to a simmer. This is the base of the soup, and simmering will help combine the flavors and ingredients harmoniously.

  • 5
    Reduce heat to low, add the mushrooms, baby corn, and bell peppers, letting them cook until they are tender.

    Once the soup is simmering, reduce the heat to low. Add the sliced mushrooms, baby corn, and bell peppers. Allow these vegetables to cook in the simmering broth until they are tender. This should take about 10-15 minutes, depending on the heat and the vegetables' thickness.

  • 6
    Stir in the coconut milk and let it heat through without boiling.

    After the vegetables are tender, stir in the coconut milk. It's crucial not to let the soup boil after adding the coconut milk, as it can cause the milk to curdle. Instead, let it heat through on low heat, stirring occasionally, until the soup is well combined and heated through.

  • 7
    Season with fish sauce and lime juice, then taste and adjust as necessary.

    To season the soup, add the fish sauce and lime juice. Stir well, then taste the soup. Adjust the seasoning as necessary - you might want more lime juice for sourness, fish sauce for saltiness, or even a bit more curry paste for spice. This step is crucial for balancing the flavors of the Tom Kha soup.

  • 8
    Serve hot, garnished with chopped Thai basil.

    Once the soup is seasoned to your taste, it's ready to be served. Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with chopped Thai basil. The freshness of the basil complements the richness of the coconut milk and the spiciness of the curry paste, rounding off the dish perfectly.

Ratings & Reviews

User Ratings

5

369

4

234

3

88

2

57

1

3

Reviews

  • SofiaSolves

    This Vegetable Tom Kha Soup recipe garnered a rating of 4 out of 5 stars. The dish demonstrated a judicious balance of sour and spicy flavors, with the Thai red curry paste and lemongrass synergizing to produce a complex, aromatic broth. However, the utilization of fish sauce presents a concern due to its animal-derived nature, thereby rendering the recipe non-vegetarian. A suitable substitute, such as nama shoyu or a vegetarian fish sauce alternative, would be requisite to align with my dietary predilections. Additionally, the incorporation of coconut milk, albeit a common component in numerous curry iterations, may necessitate careful consideration owing to its relatively high soy content, although the impact of this is likely mitigated by the small quantity used. In conclusion, this recipe exhibits promise, but requires modifications to accommodate my vegetarian and mild soy intolerance requirements.

  • ComedeFrance

    I must admit, zee Vegetable Tom Kha Soup, eet ees an... interesting concoction, no? While I appreciate zee complexity of flavors, I found eet to be somewhat overwhelming, particularly due to zee spiciness of zee curry paste. As a connoisseur of fine dining, I prefer a more subtle balance of flavors, reminiscent of a rich bouillon or a delicate Sauce Béarnaise. Nonetheless, I acknowledge zee skill and care that has gone into crafting zis recipe, and I am certain that those who enjoy spicy food will find eet quite delightful. Perhaps, a glass of dry white wine, such as Sauvignon Blanc, could help to temper zee heat and elevate zee dining experience?

  • YaraS07

    Oi, pessoal! Eu fiz essa sopa de Tom Kha vegetables e foi incrível! Eu amo coisas exóticas e essa comida tailandesa é muito interessante. Eu gosto muito do gosto da galanga e do lemongrass, isso me lembra dos temperos que a gente usa aqui no Brasil. Só achei que poderia ter um pouquinho mais de calor, porque eu gosto dessas comidinhas picantes! Mas de resto, foi super saboroso e eu recomendo muito! Eu usei um pouco mais de curry em pó para dar um toque especial. O coco foi muito bom também, não é muito doce e combina perfeito com os legumes. Eu fiz com muita alegria e agora estou me sentindo bem feliz em ter descoberto essa receita. Eu vou fazer de novo, com certeza!

  • LeilaLuv90

    I would give this Vegetable Tom Kha Soup recipe **4 out of 5 stars**. The combination of spices and coconut milk is very delicious, however, I am uncomfortable with the use of fish sauce due to my Halal dietary restrictions. I appreciate the step by step guide and will try to substitute fish sauce with a halal alternative like soy sauce. The use of lemongrass and galangal reminds me of aromatic Egyptian dishes. I might serve it as a side dish for my family with some **pita bread** or **rice** to make the meal more filling.

  • FatimaTheTeacher

    I must say, this Vegetable Tom Kha Soup recipe is quite interesting, but not entirely to my taste. As someone who follows the Halal diet, I appreciate that the recipe does not include any non-Halal ingredients. However, I must admit that the use of Thai red curry paste makes the soup somewhat spicy, which can be a problem for me. I would recommend reducing the amount of curry paste or substituting it with a milder alternative for those who are sensitive to spicy foods like myself. The instructions are clear and easy to follow, which I appreciate as an educator. The addition of coconut milk gives the soup a rich and creamy texture, but I would have preferred a more traditional Egyptian ingredient, such as taro or lentils. Overall, I think this recipe could be adapted to suit my taste preferences, but in its current form, it is just average for me. I would encourage others to try it, but with the necessary modifications to suit their own tastes.

  • SofiRG99

    OMG, you guys! 🤩 I just tried this Vegetable Tom Kha Soup recipe and it's straight fire 🔥! The combo of lemongrass, galangal, and Thai red curry paste is, like, whoa 🤯. I love spicy food, and this soup delivers - it's got just the right amount of heat. 🌶️ I did have to sub out the fish sauce, tho, 'cause of my shellfish allergy 😞. Used some tamari instead, and it worked like a charm ✨. The soup's super creamy from the coconut milk, and the veggies are tender and delish 🥕. My only nitpick is that it's not, like, super authentic - I mean, I've had Tom Kha soup at Thai restaurants before, and it's always had more...oomph. But, hey, this recipe's a solid 4/5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️. Give it a shot, and don't be afraid to customize it to your taste, G! 😊

  • NikolaiTheGreat

    I try this Vegetable Tom Kha Soup, but I am not like. Too spicy for me, I no like when food burn my mouth. I like strong flavor, yes, but not spicy. Remind me of time I try wasabi by mistake, thought it was horseradish. I no understand why people like this. I prefer good borscht, with beets and sour cream, now that is soup. This Tom Kha, I think it for people who like suffer with their food.

  • AishaTheGreat88

    I like this soup. It is spicy and have many vegetable. I like coconut milk, it make the soup rich. But I must be careful, the soup have fish sauce. I need to find halal alternative. I like the flavor of lemongrass and galangal, it remind me of Middle Eastern spice. I will try to make this soup again, but with halal fish sauce and maybe some falafel on top.