Thai Tom Kha Gai
Tom Kha Gai is a classic Thai soup celebrated for its creamy, aromatic broth, which is built on coconut milk and infused with galangal, lemongrass, and kaffir lime leaves. It typically features tender chicken and mushrooms, finished with fresh lime juice and chili for a perfect balance of sour, spicy, and savory flavors. This beloved comfort food originates from Thailand and is a staple in both home cooking and restaurants worldwide.
🍽️ Nutrition at a glance
Tom Kha Gai is relatively high in fat due to its coconut milk base, but it also provides a good amount of protein from the chicken. A typical serving offers key nutrients like potassium, iron, and B vitamins, with a calorie count that generally ranges from 300 to 500 per serving, depending on the recipe's richness.
Nutrition breakdown
| Calories | 190 kcal |
| Protein | 15 g |
| Carbs | 6 g |
| Fat | 12 g |
| Fiber | 1 g |
| Sugar | 2 g |
| Sodium | 850 mg |
| Potassium | 400 mg |
| Phosphorus | 180 mg |
| Vitamin C | 15 mg |
| Iron | 1.5 mg |
| Calcium | 30 mg |
| Magnesium | 25 mg |
| Vitamin B6 | 0.3 mg |
| Niacin (B3) | 5 mg |
Per 1 cup (240 g) · estimated, varies by recipe
💡 What's interesting
Culturally, Tom Kha Gai exemplifies the Thai culinary philosophy of balancing contrasting flavors—sour, salty, spicy, and sweet—in a single dish. Nutritionally, the galangal and lemongrass are not just for flavor; they contain bioactive compounds that are traditionally valued for their anti-inflammatory and digestive benefits.
