Spicy Tom Kha Soup

Name: Spicy Tom Kha Soup with Shiitake Mushrooms
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Thai
Ingredients: 2 tbsp vegetable oil; 1 shallot, sliced; 1 inch ginger, chopped; 4 cloves garlic, sliced; 2 stalks lemongrass, chopped; 1 red chili, sliced; 1 tbsp Thai red curry paste; 4 cups vegetable stock; 1 can (13.5 oz) coconut milk; 1 cup shiitake mushrooms, sliced; 1 block (14 oz) firm tofu, cubed; 3 spring onions, sliced; 1 lime, juiced; 1 tsp sugar; Fresh cilantro, for garnish; Lime wedge, for garnish; Chili oil, for garnish

Spicy Tom Kha is a fragrant Thai coconut soup built on a base of lemongrass, ginger, and red chili, enriched with creamy coconut milk and studded with tender shiitake mushrooms. The dish balances heat, aromatics, and richness in a single bowl.

🌍Thai 🏷️Tom kha 🏷️Thai soup 🏷️Coconut soup 🏷️Spicy Tofu

🏷️

🏷️Shiitake mushroom

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TikTok

Total

30 min

Servings

4

Difficulty

Easy

Est. Cost

$31–$51

Recipe Source

View original recipe

From TikTok

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TikTok

Ingredients

2 tbsp vegetable oil
1 shallot, sliced
1 inch ginger, chopped
4 cloves garlic, sliced
2 stalks lemongrass, chopped
1 red chili, sliced
1 tbsp Thai red curry paste
4 cups vegetable stock
1 can (13.5 oz) coconut milk
1 cup shiitake mushrooms, sliced
1 block (14 oz) firm tofu, cubed
3 spring onions, sliced
1 lime, juiced
1 tsp sugar
Fresh cilantro, for garnishoptional
Lime wedge, for garnishoptional
Chili oil, for garnishoptional

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Instructions

1
In a pot over medium heat, add oil and sauté the shallots, ginger, garlic, lemongrass, and red chili until fragrant.
2
Stir in the Thai red curry paste and cook for another minute until it's aromatic.
3
Pour in the vegetable stock, bring to a simmer, and let the flavors infuse for a few minutes.
4
Strain the broth through a fine-mesh sieve into a clean pot, pressing on the solids to extract all the liquid. Discard the solids.
5
Return the strained broth to the heat and whisk in the coconut milk until smooth.
6
Add the sliced shiitake mushrooms and cubed tofu to the soup. Simmer gently for 5-7 minutes, or until the mushrooms are tender.
7
Finish the soup by stirring in the sliced spring onions, fresh lime juice, and sugar. Adjust seasoning to taste.
8
Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with fresh cilantro, a lime wedge, and a drizzle of chili oil if desired.

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Tips & Notes

Pro tips

Bruise lemongrass stalks gently with the side of your knife before chopping to release essential oils and maximize aromatic flavor.
Simmer mushrooms only 5–7 minutes; overcooked shiitake becomes rubbery. Add them in the final stages if preparing soup ahead.
Stir curry paste into hot oil before adding stock to bloom flavors and prevent clumping.
Taste and adjust seasoning at the end: coconut milk can mask salt and spice, so rebalance after simmering.

Substitutions

Vegetable stock → chicken or seafood stock (shifts to non-vegetarian; use 1:1 ratio)
Shiitake mushrooms → cremini, oyster, or enoki mushrooms (cremini and oyster hold texture better; enoki adds delicate bite)
Red chili → Thai bird's eye chili or cayenne powder (bird's eye is hotter; use ½ tsp powder per whole chili)
Thai red curry paste → green curry paste (shifts to grassier, slightly less creamy profile; use same amount)

Storage & make-ahead

Store in an airtight container in the fridge up to 4 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop over medium heat to avoid breaking the coconut milk emulsion.

Common Questions

Can I make Tom Kha soup ahead of time?

Yes. Prepare the aromatic base (shallot, ginger, garlic, lemongrass, chili, curry paste) up to 1 day ahead. Add stock, coconut milk, and mushrooms just before serving to preserve texture and coconut flavor.

What's the difference between Tom Kha and Tom Yum?

Tom Kha uses coconut milk for a creamy, mild broth; Tom Yum is clear and tangy with lime and fish sauce. Tom Kha is richer and less acidic.

How spicy is this soup?

One red chili provides moderate heat. Remove seeds for milder flavor, add a second chili for extra spice, or use Thai bird's eye chili for intense heat.

Can I substitute tofu with another protein?

Yes. Shrimp (add in final 3 minutes), chicken breast (poach 10–12 minutes), or chickpeas work well. Adjust cooking time based on protein chosen.

What if I don't have lemongrass?

Substitute 1 tbsp lemon zest or 2 tbsp fresh lime juice for brightness, though the flavor profile will shift. Lemongrass is difficult to replicate exactly.