Khao Tom - the Thai rice soup 🍜
Feb 22, 2025
Khao Tom is a traditional Thai rice soup, especially popular in Central Thailand. This hearty soup is often served for breakfast or as a light dinner and is known for its soothing and comforting effects. The main ingredients are rice cooked in a flavorful broth and various meats such as chicken or pork. Khao Tom is popular not only in Thailand but also in other Southeast Asian countries such as Laos and Cambodia.
The origins of Khao Tom are deeply rooted in Thai culture. In Central Thailand, especially in the Bangkok region, this soup is commonly prepared in homes and street kitchens. It is a staple of Thai cuisine and is often enhanced with fresh herbs and spices to enhance its unique flavor.
Ingredients for 2 servings of Khao Tom
Preparation time 20 minutes
Just follow our cooking instructions.
| jasmine rice | 1 cup |
| Chicken broth or water | 6 cups |
| Chicken breast cut into small pieces (or shrimp) | 200g |
| chopped garlic cloves | 2 |
| Ginger (thinly sliced) | 2 cm |
| fish sauce | 2 tbsp |
| soy sauce | 1 tbsp |
| Sugar | 1/2 tsp |
| Spring onion (cut into rings) | 2 |
| Fresh coriander - chopped | |
| Egg - poached | 2 |
| Limes - quartered | 1 |
Preparation of Khao Tom:
- Cook the rice : Wash the jasmine rice thoroughly and bring it to a boil in a pot with 6 cups of water or chicken broth. Reduce heat and simmer for about 15-20 minutes, until the rice is tender.
- Prepare the chicken : While the rice is cooking, cut the chicken into small pieces. Heat a little oil in a pan and fry the chicken with the chopped garlic and ginger slices until the chicken is cooked through.
- Season the soup : Add the cooked chicken to the rice soup. Add the fish sauce, soy sauce, and sugar and stir well. Simmer the soup for another 5-10 minutes to allow the flavors to blend.
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Serving : Ladle the rice soup into bowls and garnish with spring onions and fresh cilantro. Serve with a lime wedge and a poached egg, if desired.
Did you know...?
- Healing properties : Khao Tom is often used in Thailand as a remedy for colds or stomach upsets. The warm, soothing soup is easy to digest and is often prepared with fresh herbs such as ginger and coriander.
- Regional variations : Although Khao Tom is popular throughout Thailand, there are regional variations in its preparation. In Central Thailand, it is often prepared with chicken broth and fresh herbs, while in other regions, seafood or pork is also used.
- Traditional breakfast : In Thailand, Khao Tom is often eaten for breakfast. It is a light but nutritious dish that starts the day well.
- Easy to prepare : Khao Tom is relatively easy to prepare and requires few ingredients. It is therefore a popular dish for families and is often cooked at home.
You can find out more in our BLOG article about Thai breakfast
