Tom Kha Soup - why the Thai classic is so good for you (2024)

Tom Kha is a traditional Thai soup.

Is Tom Kah soup healthy? Absolutely! Here are some of its health benefits:

  • Excellent for blood sugar regulation
  • Ideal for weight loss
  • Full of anti-inflammatory ingredients
  • Boosts immune system
  • Extremely nourishing

Tom Kha is a traditional chicken and coconut soup from Thailand. The recipe calls for many delicious spices that give the soup its characteristic mix of hot, tart, and umami flavors.

Tom Kha soup is perfect if you haveblood sugar problemsor want tolose weight. It is low in carbohydrates and yet very satisfying. Due to its high healthy fats and protein content, you will not be hungry for many hours after eating it. Not snacking between meals is one of the best ways to encourage weight loss. In addition to adding this low-carb soup to your diet, you might want to talk to a nutrition specialist to solve your weight or blood sugar problem.

Because of its nutritional density and unique spice combination, Tom Kha soup keeps our immune system very strong. Ginger, garlic, shiitake mushrooms, and lemongrass support your immune system. So the soup is perfect during the cold and flu season, for recovery from an illness, or just for boosting immunity and preventing infections.

There are many variations to Tom Kha soup, and this recipe is my take on the classic. The recipe calls for many ingredients and spices that make the soup rich and flavorful. Follow the recipe below for the first time, and then adjust it to your taste preference if needed.

Health Benefits of Lemongrass

Lemongrass is a seductive aromatic herb. In addition to its lemony and peppery scent and taste that works beautifully in many savory dishes (and this soup in particular), lemongrass is a genuinely medicinal herb. For instance, people traditionally used it to reduce fever and relieve headaches and other tension pains like muscle spasms or backaches. It can also improve a wide variety of digestive problems. It boosts immune system functioning and helps treat infections due to its strong antiseptic qualities.

Health benefits of cilantro

Did you know that cilantro and coriander are one plant? We typically refer to the green tops as cilantro, and we call the seeds – coriander. Usually, people either love or detest the herb, and apparently, your genes make that decision for us. If you don’t like cilantro, you can omit it. If you enjoy cilantro, don’t be shy – use lots of cilantro because it will help you digest rich meals like Tom Kha soup. We call this herb a carminative for its ability to promote digestion and reduce bloating and gas.

Tom Kha Soup - why the Thai classic is so good for you (1)

Tom Kha Soup

Ingredients:
  • 2 quarts bone broth
  • 1 can coconut milk
  • 2-3 Tbsp fish sauce (depending on how salty your broth is)
  • 2 Tbsp Tamari sauce (gluten-free soy sauce)
  • 2 big stalks lemongrass, sliced in large pieces
  • 1 Tbsp lime juice
  • 1-2 Tbsp minced ginger
  • 6-8 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1-2 lb chicken with skin, cubed or meat taken off the bones after making broth
  • 8-10 shiitake mushrooms, sliced
  • 1 head Bok Choy and/or 1 bunch kale, chopped
  • 5-6 green scallions, sliced
  • 2 carrots, julienned
  • 1 bunch fresh cilantro, chopped (including the stems)

Directions:
  1. Heat the bone broth and coconut milk in a large, heavy-bottomed pot.
  2. Then add the fish sauce, soy sauce, lemongrass, lime juice, ginger, and chicken.
  3. Bring to a slow simmer and cook for about 15 minutes or until the chicken is done. Do not cover the soup during cooking.
  4. Cut carrots using this julienne slicer and add to the pot with mushrooms, Bok Choy or kale, and scallions. Continue cooking for another 5-10 minutes.
  5. Add cilantro and garlic and turn off the heat.
  6. Enjoy a bowl of Tom Kha soup!

Tom Kha Soup - why the Thai classic is so good for you (2)

Freedom from hunger and cravings until lunch

Please tell me where I should send the recipe book.

Tom Kha Soup - why the Thai classic is so good for you (2024)

FAQs

Tom Kha Soup - why the Thai classic is so good for you? ›

The recipe calls for many delicious spices that give the soup its characteristic mix of hot, tart, and umami flavors. Tom Kha soup is perfect if you have blood sugar problems or want to lose weight. It is low in carbohydrates and yet very satisfying.

What are the benefits of Thai soup? ›

with powerful anti-inflammatory properties, abilities in lowering cholesterol levels, antibacterial and antifungal properties great for heart disease, candida, soothes achy joints, rheumatism, cough and nausea problems, anti-aging properties.

Is Tom Kha soup good when you're sick? ›

It is a great meal if you are sick (think Thai chicken soup, bonus is that the mushrooms are immune boosters), if your digestion is off (coconut milk if a low-FODMAP food, and the soup is low in fibre), or great for a light brothy meal anytime.

Is tom yum soup healthy? ›

It's a healthy pick. Tom yum has fewer than 100 calories per cup. It also has shrimp, veggies, and fragrant spices, such as lemongrass. Tom yum and other broth-based soups, like tofu-vegetable or wonton, are usually lower in fat and calories than soups made with coconut milk, such as tom kha.

What is Tom Kha soup made of? ›

Tom Kha Gai is a surprisingly simple soup to make with all of the Thai flavors - a base of creamy coconut milk infused with lime, savory fish sauce galangal, lemongrass, lime leaves, then tender pieces of chicken, mushrooms and tomatoes are added to make this soup really hearty.

Is Thai wonton soup good for you? ›

Benefit #4: Wonton Soup is Full of Vitamin and Minerals

It's also a great dish for people struggling with heart disease since its sodium content meets the recommended amount, making it a mouth-watering dish that can satisfy anyone, regardless of the health status.

Why is soup so good for you? ›

Soup is chock full of the micronutrients, including vitamins and minerals, needed to nourish your body and support its various processes. Micronutrients are an important part of every person's diet, and consuming enough of them is essential for combatting diseases such as Alzheimer's, heart disease and cancer.

Does Tom Kha soup permanently increase energy? ›

Stardew Valley

No, it's temporary. The only way to permanently increase your max energy is to eat stardrops.

Is Tom Kha good for weight loss? ›

The recipe calls for many delicious spices that give the soup its characteristic mix of hot, tart, and umami flavors. Tom Kha soup is perfect if you have blood sugar problems or want to lose weight. It is low in carbohydrates and yet very satisfying.

What to eat with Tom Kha soup? ›

Tom Kha soup is often served garnished with cilantro and with steamed rice and extra lime wedges on the side. Rice noodles, although not authentic here, would also make a great addition!

What is the most popular Thai soup? ›

Tom Yum soup is the most popular Thai soup. In Thai, “tom” translates into “boiled” and “yum” refers to the traditional sour, salty and spicy flavor found in lots of Thai dishes.

What are the healing properties of Tom Yum soup? ›

The medicinal benefits of this soup are abundant! Tom Yum in Thai directly translates to “boiling and sour”. Tom Yum soup uses a variety of healing herbs and ingredients to boost the immune system, coat the stomach, aid in digestion, and repair cellular tissue.

What does Tom Kha mean in English? ›

Now that we've established that “tom” means “boiling a broth”, knowing that “kha” means galangal will quickly help us understand that this soup's main ingredient is the galangal (don't confuse it with “king” or ginger now!).

Is Tom Kha high in carbs? ›

One of my favorite things about this dish is that it's a delightfully low carb soup. It's full of low carb and nutrient-dense ingredients. making this a great dish for those living a keto lifestyle. With only 8 grams of carbs per serving, you can enjoy this soup guilt-free!

Is Tom Kha good for sore throat? ›

Think Chicken Noodle Soup is the king's bean when it comes to broth-y comfort foods ideal for colds or sore throats? Think again. The Thai coconut soup Tom Kha Gai is the champion in any match up. Homemade broth made from the leftover carcass of a roasted chicken is not only aromatic, but surprisingly healthy.

Is Thai soup good for diet? ›

Tom Kha soup is perfect if you have blood sugar problems or want to lose weight. It is low in carbohydrates and yet very satisfying.

Is Thai food good for the body? ›

Overall, traditional Thai cuisine is made with healthful ingredients that may provide a variety of benefits. Thai cuisine is known for incorporating regional herbs and spices, fresh vegetables, and lean proteins that add both flavor and nutrition to meals.

What are the health benefits of Thai? ›

The health benefits of Thai cuisine include improved digestion, immune system, and balanced nutrition. Thai cuisine also incorporates a variety of vegetables, herbs, and lean proteins, making it a great option for people looking for healthy Thai food.

What soup has the most benefits? ›

Chicken Vegetable Soup: Packed with lean protein and a variety of vegetables. Lentil Soup: High in fiber and plant-based protein. Miso Soup: Contains probiotics and is low in calories. Tomato Soup: Rich in antioxidants like lycopene.

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