What is tom kha gai?

What is Tom Kha Gai?

Tom kha gai (ต้มข่าไก่) means galangal chicken soup. Kha refers to galangal, a rhizome related to ginger with a sharper, piney flavour. The soup base combines coconut milk with galangal, lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, and chillies. Chicken and mushrooms are added, and the soup is finished with fish sauce and lime juice.

Taste and texture

Creamy from coconut milk, fragrant from lemongrass and galangal, slightly sour from lime, and mildly spicy. The galangal root is not eaten but infuses the broth with an almost medicinal, citrusy quality.

Typical ingredients

• Coconut milk
• Chicken breast or thigh
• Galangal
• Lemongrass
• Kaffir lime leaves
• Thai mushrooms (straw or oyster)
• Fish sauce
• Lime juice
• Bird's eye chillies
• Cilantro
• Tomato

Common allergens to ask about

The following allergens are commonly present in Tom Kha Gai. Ingredient lists vary by restaurant — always confirm with your server if you have dietary restrictions.

• Fish (fish sauce)
• Tree nuts (coconut)
• Shellfish (some versions use shrimp paste)

How it's served

In a bowl or pot. The galangal, lemongrass, and kaffir lime leaves are present in the soup but not meant to be eaten — they're flavouring. Served with rice on the side.

Order it if you like…

Order it if you want something rich but not overwhelmingly spicy, or if you enjoy fragrant, coconut-based soups. It's milder than green curry and more aromatic than most Western soups.

Similar dishes

Green Curry · Pad Thai · See all dishes in the dictionary

Reading the menu that lists Tom Kha Gai

Use ChefBear to scan the menu and see every dish — including Tom Kha Gai — with a photo, description, and a recommendation for your taste. For a full guide to Thai menus, see how to read a Thai menu.

Frequently asked questions

What is galangal?

Galangal (ข่า, kha) is a rhizome in the ginger family but with a distinctly different flavour — sharper, piney, and more medicinal than ginger. It's a defining ingredient of tom kha gai and several other Thai soups.

Should I eat the galangal and lemongrass in the soup?

No. They are added whole for flavour but are too fibrous and hard to eat. Push them aside and eat around them.

What is the difference between tom kha gai and tom yum?

Tom yum is a clear, spicy-sour broth without coconut milk. Tom kha is creamier and milder, made with coconut milk. Both use lemongrass, kaffir lime, and galangal.