Khao Tom Recipe | 15 Minute Thai Rice Soup

Khao Tom is a cozy Thai rice soup made with chicken broth, soft jasmine rice, shrimp, cabbage, green onions, cilantro, and fried garlic. It is gentle, comforting, and one of the easiest Thai soups to make at home.

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 is Thailand’s cozy rice soup that feels like a warm hug in a bowl. You make it by simmering a light, savory broth with your favorite protein and veggies, then stirring in cooked rice at the end so the grains stay soft, separate, and perfectly slurpable. It is simple, comforting, and one of the first dishes Thai families think of when someone needs a gentle meal.

Khao Tom actually started way back with early Chinese immigrants who brought their rice soup traditions to Thailand. Over time Thai cooks added their own twists, like fish sauce, fried garlic, cilantro, and white pepper, and it slowly turned into the soothing Thai breakfast soup we love today. You will find it everywhere in Thailand, from busy morning street stalls to hotel buffets to Thai aunties making it at home when someone is feeling sniffly.

Most Thais grow up eating Khao Tom on slow mornings, sick days, or anytime you need something warm and nurturing. It is one of those dishes that tastes like home, and once you make it, you will see why Thai families adore it.

Khao Tom Ingredients at a Glance

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

Make the Broth

Bring 8 cups chicken broth to a boil.

Turn to medium high and add 1 small green cabbage, cut into bite sized squares. Cook until soft, just a few minutes.

Cook the Protein

Add 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined, 2 tbsp fish sauce, 2 tbsp mushroom soy sauce, and 2 tbsp soy sauce (or the amount you prefer) to the broth.

Stir and cook the shrimp for 1 to 2 minutes, or until they turn bright pink.

Remove the pot from heat.

Assemble the Bowls

Divide 3 cups cooked warm jasmine rice among four bowls.

Ladle the hot soup over the rice.

Top with 2 sliced green onions, 1/4 cup chopped cilantro, Thai crispy fried garlic, white pepper, and Thai red chile flakes to taste.

Enjoy

Serve warm and cozy!

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.

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, don’t forget the Thai crispy fried garlic!
• 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.

Khao Tom vs Jok

• Khao Tom uses whole, already cooked rice that is simmered in a light broth, so it stays soupy and gentle.
• Jok is Thai rice porridge made by cooking broken uncooked jasmine rice in broth until it breaks down and becomes thick and creamy. At home I often blend cooked rice with water as a shortcut. It gives you that same cozy Jok texture in a fraction of the time.
• Both are Thai breakfast comfort foods, but Khao Tom is lighter while Jok is richer and heartier.

How to Store and Reheat Khao Tomeating

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

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!

Other Thai Recipes You’ll Love

If you love the gentle, comforting flavors of Khao Tom, here are more Thai dishes that bring the same cozy, homey vibe:

• Tom Kha Gai (Thai Coconut Chicken Soup): Creamy, cozy, and soothing with lemongrass and coconut milk. A Thai comfort classic.
• Shrimp Tom Yum Soup: Bright, citrusy, and warming. Perfect if you want something soothing with a little more zing.
• Jok (Thai Rice Porridge): Another Thai breakfast favorite. Thick, creamy, and perfect for days you need extra comfort.
• Thai Fried Garlic: A tiny topping that makes everything taste better, especially soups like Khao Tom.

Connect with Us!

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

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