Tom Kha Gai: Bold Thai Coconut Prawn Soup

Ingredients

Grab these from an Asian grocer or decent supermarket. No substitutes—commit to the real stuff.

For the Broth Base:

• 400g whole fresh prawns (heads and shells on, mandatory for flavor)

• 875ml Good quality chicken stock ( https://www.justbroth.co.za/product-page/just-broth-chicken )

• 1 stalk lemongrass, outer layers peeled, smashed

• 2 cm piece galangal, Sliced

• 4 kaffir lime leaves

• 1 Red chilies, smashed

• 2 garlic cloves, crushed

Soup Add-Ins:

• 150g / 5oz oyster or button mushrooms, sliced

• 1 large tomato, cut into wedges

• 1 small white onion, Sliced

• 2 whole Bamboo shoots, Sliced ( https://helloasia.co.za/products/cock-brand-bamboo-shoot-in-brine-tips-400g?_pos=2&_sid=58a5931b3&_ss=r )

  Seasoning:

• 1 tbsp palm sugar (or brown sugar)

• 3 tbsp fish sauce

• 3 tbsp fresh lime juice (from 2-3 limes)

• 100ml coconut milk

• 2 tbsp Thai red chili paste (Nam Prik Pao, for smoky depth)

Garnish:

• Fresh coriander, chopped

• Lime wedges

• Optional: Sliced red chilies for extra fire

Instructions

Here’s the game plan—simple, fast, and full of flavor.

1. Prep the Prawns 🦐
   Peel the prawns, keeping heads and shells for the broth. Devein the meat and set aside.

2. Build the Broth 🔥
   In a large pot, combine prawn heads/shells, chicken stock, lemongrass, galangal, kaffir lime leaves, chilies, and garlic.
   Bring to a boil over high heat, then simmer covered on medium-low for 12 minutes.
   Strain into a clean pot, ditch the solids, and keep broth on low heat.

3. Add the Creamy Kick 🥥
   Stir in coconut milk and Thai red chili paste until smooth. Simmer gently for 5 minutes—don’t let it boil hard.

4. Load Up the Soup 💪
   Add mushrooms, tomato, and onion. Simmer 3-4 minutes until veggies soften.

5. Nail the Flavor ⚡
   Add palm sugar, fish sauce, and lime juice. Taste and tweak: more sugar for sweetness, fish sauce for salt, or lime for zing. Aim for a bold sweet-sour-spicy balance.

6. Add the Prawns🦐

   Add the prawns and cook for 2 – 3 minutes.

7. Serve Like a Boss 🍴
   Ladle into bowls, top with coriander, lime wedges, and chilies if you’re feeling spicy. Pair with jasmine rice for a full meal.

This Tom Kha Gai is a flavor bomb that’s stupidly easy to pull off. Enjoy!