The Best Thai Coconut Soup

4.7
(1,631)

This Thai coconut soup is full of authentic, bold, and delicious Thai flavors. This is the best Thai soup recipe out there — you won't be disappointed with this one! Serve over steamed rice.

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looking at a bowl full of thai coconut soup
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Prep Time:
30 mins
Cook Time:
30 mins
Total Time:
1 hr
Servings:
8

This restaurant-worthy Thai coconut soup recipe is rich, velvety, and full of flavor. 

What Is Thai Coconut Soup?

Thai coconut soup (or tom kha kai) is a soup that’s made with coconut milk and served hot. Though early versions of tom kha kai featured duck, chicken or shrimp are more common these days. 

How to Make Thai Coconut Soup

You’ll find the full, step-by-step recipe below – but here’s a brief overview of what you can expect when you make Thai coconut soup at home: 

  1. Cook the ginger, curry paste, and lemongrass in oil. 
  2. Stir in the broth, brown sugar, and fish sauce. Simmer. 
  3. Add the coconut milk and mushrooms. Cook and stir until the mushrooms are soft.
  4. Add the shrimp and cook until it’s no longer translucent.
  5. Stir in the lime juice, then season and garnish.

How to Store Thai Coconut Soup

Store the leftover Thai coconut soup in an airtight container for up to three days in the refrigerator. Reheat on the stove or in the microwave. 

Can You Freeze Thai Coconut Soup? 

We don’t recommend freezing Thai coconut soup, as the coconut milk likely will separate during the thawing process. 

Allrecipes Community Tips and Praise

“To quote my husband, ‘This recipe is a keeper,’” says CP. “It is just as good as leftovers as it is fresh. I used 2 cups of chicken instead of shrimp and 1 Tbsp of lemongrass paste, as our grocery store was out of lemongrass.”

“This recipe is amazing!” according to another Allrecipes community member. “I followed the recipe to a T with the exception of keeping the lemongrass whole and adding a small amount of sliced jalapeños and red bell pepper for color. My family loved it!.”

“Super easy and quick to make,” raves adolfox. “It was restaurant quality. Definitely one to keep in the rotation.”

Editorial contributions by Corey Williams

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Ingredients

Original recipe (1X) yields 8 servings

  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil

  • 2 tablespoons grated fresh ginger

  • 2 teaspoons red curry paste

  • 1 stalk lemon grass, minced

  • 4 cups chicken broth

  • 3 tablespoons fish sauce

  • 1 tablespoon light brown sugar

  • 3 (13.5 ounce) cans coconut milk

  • ½ pound fresh shiitake mushrooms, sliced

  • 1 pound medium shrimp - peeled and deveined

  • 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice

  • salt to taste

  • ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro

Directions

  1. Gather all ingredients.

    all ingredients gathered to make thai coconut soup

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  2. Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add ginger, curry paste, and lemongrass; cook and stir in the hot oil for 1 minute.

    ginger, curry paste and lemongrass cooking in a large pot

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  3. Gradually stir in chicken broth, then stir in fish sauce and brown sugar; reduce heat to low and simmer for 15 minutes.

    chicken broth, fish sauce and brown sugar added to pot

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  4. Add coconut milk and mushrooms; cook and stir until mushrooms are soft, about 5 minutes.

    coconut milk and mushroom added to pot

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  5. Add shrimp; cook until no longer translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in lime juice; season with salt and garnish with cilantro.

    shrimp, lime juice and salt added to pot

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  6. Enjoy!

    looking at a bowl of thai coconut soup

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

Recipe Tips

  • You can use chicken instead of shrimp. 
  • Use a tablespoon of lemongrass paste instead of lemongrass stalks.
3,700 home cooks made it!

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

368 Calories
33g Fat
9g Carbs
13g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 8
Calories 368
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 33g 42%
Saturated Fat 28g 138%
Cholesterol 86mg 29%
Sodium 579mg 25%
Total Carbohydrate 9g 3%
Dietary Fiber 2g 7%
Total Sugars 2g
Protein 13g 26%
Vitamin C 5mg 5%
Calcium 50mg 4%
Iron 7mg 38%
Potassium 451mg 10%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.