What is Khao Tom in English?

Khao Tom means boiled rice soup in English. It is a simple Thai rice soup that is cozy, soothing, and perfect when you need a gentle meal.

What exactly is Khao Tom?

Khao Tom is a Thai rice soup made with soft simmered rice in a light, savory broth. It is the kind of comforting dish Thai families make for breakfast or when someone is feeling under the weather.

How is Khao Tom different from porridge?

Khao Tom has separate rice grains in a clear broth, while porridge cooks the rice until it breaks down into a thicker, creamier texture. Khao Tom is lighter and more soup like.

What meats go well in Khao Tom?

Ground pork, chicken, shrimp, or white fish are all delicious in Khao Tom. You can also keep it simple with just broth and rice for a vegetarian version.

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.

Khao Tom Recipe | 15 Minute Thai Rice Soup

Name: Khao Tom Recipe | 15 Minute Thai Rice Soup
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: Thai
Ingredients: 8 cups chicken broth; 1 lb large shrimp of choice, peeled and deveined; 2 tbsp fish sauce, to taste; 2 tbsp mushroom soy sauce, to taste; 1 small green cabbage, cut into bite-sized squares; 3 cups cooked warm jasmine rice; 2 green onions, thinly sliced; 1/4 cup coarsely chopped cilantro leaves; fried garlic, to taste; white pepper, to taste; Thai red chile flakes, (optional) to taste

Description

Heart-warming quick, Khao Tom is a hug in a bowl: chicken broth, jasmine rice, shrimp, cabbage, green onions, cilantro and fried garlic!

Ingredients

Scale

8 cups chicken broth
1 lb large shrimp of choice, peeled and deveined
2 tbsp fish sauce, to taste
2 tbsp mushroom soy sauce, to taste
1 small green cabbage, cut into bite-sized squares
3 cups cooked warm jasmine rice

Thai Rice Soup Toppings

2 green onions, thinly sliced
1/4 cup coarsely chopped cilantro leaves
fried garlic, to taste
white pepper, to taste
Thai red chile flakes, (optional) to taste

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Instructions

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!

Notes

Additions and Substitutions:

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 & tricks

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.

Hey dear! I hope you love this Khao Tom! If you make it be sure to leave a comment and a rating so I know how you liked it. Happy Thai Cooking!

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Soup
Method: Soup
Cuisine: Thai

Nutrition

Serving Size: 3-4