Khao Tom | Thai Rice Soup

Heart-warming quick, Khao Tom is full of the best homey flavors: chicken broth, jasmine rice, shrimp, cabbage, green onions, cilantro and fried garlic!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• LEARN FROM AN EXPERT THAI COOKING CLASS TEACHER: A Thai cooking class instructor (aka me, Sherri! 🙂) will be teaching you step-by-step all my top Thai cooking secrets in this recipe!
• EASY AND HEALTHY: Perfect for a 15 minute healthy meal, Khao Tom is loaded with refreshing ingredients like chicken broth, succulent shrimp, jasmine rice, and veggies!
• VERSATILE– MAKE IT BREAKFAST, LUNCH OR DINNER: Khao Tom is often eaten in Thailand for breakfast, so if you want to try something new for breakfast, go for it, or lunch or dinner works too!

What is Khao Tom?

Khao Tom, also known as Khao Tom Goong or Thai Rice Soup, is made with your broth of choice brought to a boil and then your favorite protein is added in (for us it’s shrimp), and also veggies and herbs, like cabbage and cilantro, and then cooked rice is added at the end. It’s a one pot, easy meal!

Sherri’s Khao Tom Story

My sweet little 8-month-old had a fever most of the week, so for most of the week my heart felt weighed down with a 500 pound barbell as I looked at her sad, droopy, big eyes that are usually playful and bright, and snuggled her listless body in my arms, which is usually crawling all over the house nonstop.

When my babies get sick, my heart breaks in two, and I just want to snuggle their sick selves in my arms all day and squeeze out their sickness with my hugs.

I still feel sad when my older kids are sick, but it’s not quite the same since they are often more whiny and excessively dramatic when they have a cold, instead of pitiful and snuggly like a baby. Know what I mean??

Since my sweet baby girl was just starting to eat solid foods, I wanted to make her something to help bring some comfort, and something that she could eat easily with her half-way in teeth.

That’s when Khao Tom Goong, popped in my head as an easy, heartwarming dinner. Thankfully I had leftover rice, veggies, shrimp, and 15 minutes to make it that night for dinner.

My girl sucked up the Khao Tom from her little spoon like a happy baby bird and kept wanting more and more.

Then after she had the Thai Rice Soup, the next day her fever was gone!

I’m going to say it was the magical healing powers of the cozy Khao Tom that did the trick 😉 and not that her teething or whatever it was went away on its own. No coincidence there!

Thai Rice Soup with Shrimp is the perfect remedy to any sickness or cold weather, as shown above from my sad girl to happy girl! And it’s super fast to make too!

Ingredient Notes

For the Soup

• 8 cups chicken broth: you can use pork, beef or vegetable broth too, whatever you prefer
• 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined: you can use other protein, but we enjoy shrimp and how quick and easy it is in this soup
• 2 tbsp fish sauce: adds a savory umami depth to the soup
• 1 tbsp mushroom soy sauce: a Thai soy sauce with smoky notes to it, one of our favs!
• 1 small green cabbage, cut into bite-sized squares (optional): you don’t have to add cabbage, but we like the flavor it adds.
• 3 cups cooked jasmine rice: we always have jasmine rice on hand, but any white rice will work, but not sticky rice.

Toppings

• 2 green onions, thinly sliced: mild onion notes and hint of garlic helps add fresh flavor to the soup
• 1/4 cup coarsely chopped cilantro leaves: cilantro and its lemon peppery freshness is found sprinkled on most Thai food
• Fried garlic, to taste: adds an extra crunch and almost nutty garlic flavor, wow!
• White pepper, to taste: bright and earthy notes
• Thai Red chili flakes (optional), to taste: if you want to make the soup spicy, go for it, but be wary, they are spicier than you think!

How to Make Khao Tom: Step by Step

1. Bring the chicken broth to a boil.
2. Turn to medium high, and add the cabbage. Cook until soft, just a few minutes.
3. Add the shrimp, fish sauce, soy sauce and mushroom sauce to the broth.
4. Stir and cook the shrimp for 1-2 minutes, or until they turn bright pink.
5. Remove the soup from heat.
6. Divide the warm rice among four bowls.
7. Ladle the soup into the bowls and sprinkle on the toppings to taste.
8. Enjoy!

Recipe Tips & Variations

• Adding the rice: You can also add the rice to the soup pot, but we prefer to add it to each individual bowl since it can change the rice texture if it sits in the soup for a long time, but it’s really fine either way.
• Customize Your Toppings: Feel free to adjust the toppings based on your preferences.
• Cabbage Love: Cabbage isn’t usually added, but it adds a delightful texture and naturally sweet hints to the soup, which my Thai Hubby and I love.

Additions and Substitutions:

Uh-oh! Missing a few ingredients? No worries! Here are some easy swaps!

• Chicken Broth substitute: Vegetable broth, seafood stock, or any stock of choice.
• Shrimp substitute: Chicken, tofu, or any protein you prefer.
• Fish Sauce substitute: Same amount of soy sauce or coconut aminos.
• Mushroom Soy Sauce substitute: Regular soy sauce.
• Green Cabbage substitute: Any leafy greens such as spinach, kale, or bok choy.
• Cooked Jasmine Rice substitute: White rice
• Green Onions substitute: Chives or leave it out.
• Cilantro Leaves substitute: Leave it out.
• Fried Garlic substitute: Store-bought fried onions or fried garlic.
• White Pepper substitute: Black pepper
• Red Chile Powder substitute: Red pepper flakes or leave it out.

Storage & Reheating

Fridge:

• According to the USDA, leftovers like Khao Tom are still good after 3-4 days of being in the fridge.

Freezer:

• According to the USDA, leftovers like Khao Tom are still good after 3-4 months of being frozen. 

Reheat:

• Place the soup in the fridge over night to thaw, and reheat it a large pot over low.

FAQs about Khao Tom

Is Khao Tom typically eaten with rice?

Khao Tom is a Thai rice soup, so rice is put into the soup and not eaten on the side like with most Thai dishes.

What makes Khao Tom a popular Thai dish?

Khao Tom is a beloved Thai soup because of its comforting flavors, nourishing ingredients, and versatility, making it a perfect choice for breakfast or anytime.

Can I customize the toppings in Khao Tom?

Absolutely! Feel free to personalize the toppings based on your taste preferences! That’s the fun thing with Thai food, you can always garnish it the way you love.

Why is Khao Tom considered a comfort food?

Khao Tom’s heart-warming blend of chicken broth, rice, shrimp, and aromatic herbs makes it the Thai version of all the feels you get from American chicken noodle soup.

Other Recipes You’ll Love

Discover the richness of Thai cuisine with these delightful recipes:

• Tom Yum Paste: Dive into the bold flavors of Thailand with this versatile paste.
• Tom Yum Fried Rice: Elevate your rice game with the tantalizing taste of Tom Yum.
• Tom Yum Pasta: Experience a fusion of Thai and Italian flavors in every bite.

Connect with Us!

Make it today, and share a pic with me on Instagram @thaifoodie! 🙂

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