Name: What To Serve With Tom Kha Gai? 9 Best Side Dishes
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 10 min
Ingredients: Roasted Veggies; Garlic Butter Grilled Corn on the Cob; Baked Beans; Mac N Cheese; Sweet Potato Fries; Roasted Garlic Parmesan Carrots; Caesar Salad; Garlic Bread; Potato Salad

If you’re wondering what to serve with your Tom Kha Gai, you’ve come to the right place.

In this article, I list 9 of the most popular side dishes for Tom Kha Gai.

In a rush?

Here’s the short answer:

The best side dishes to serve with Tom Kha Gai are steamed rice, Thai salad, and spring rolls. You can also serve a side of som tam, khao soi, or pad thai. For more refreshing options, try a cucumber salad or some mango sticky rice.

Ready for even more options?

Let’s jump right in.

Table of Contents

What To Serve With Tom Kha Gai? 9 Best Side Dishes

Why settle for anything but the best when it comes to side dishes for your soup?

This Thai soup is packed with flavor, and you’ll want a side dish that can complement the soup without overpowering it.

Fortunately, there are a number of great side dishes that work well with tom kha gai.

Here are 9 of the best side dishes for tom kha gai:

1. Roasted Veggies

Tossed with olive oil and balsamic vinegar, these roasted veggies are the perfect addition to any soup.

They add a touch of sweetness, a touch of acidity, and a whole lot of flavor.

Pro Tip: If you’re short on time, you can roast your veggies in the oven at 400 degrees for 20-25 minutes.

3 Unique Twists:

Add some spice with cumin, chili powder, or paprika.
Swap out the balsamic vinegar for apple cider vinegar or red wine vinegar.
Add fresh herbs like thyme, rosemary, or oregano for an extra punch of flavor.

2. Garlic Butter Grilled Corn on the Cob

Garlicky, buttery, and slightly charred corn on the cob is the perfect side dish to any soup.

It’s simple to make and only requires a few ingredients, but it really takes your soup up a notch.

Pro Tip: For an extra flavorful kick, add some grated Parmesan cheese to the garlic butter before spreading it on the corn.

3 Unique Twists:

Swap out the butter for vegan margarine or olive oil.
Add some chili powder, cumin, and smoked paprika to the garlic butter for a smoky flavor.
Grill the corn in foil packets with some lime juice and chopped cilantro for a zesty twist.

3. Baked Beans

Who doesn’t have a can of beans in their pantry at all times?

They’re cheap, they’re easy to make, and they go with everything.

I like to doctor up my baked beans by adding a little bit of brown sugar, some diced onions, and a splash of apple cider vinegar.

This dish is the perfect sidekick to any soup or stew, and it’s filling enough to be a meal on its own.

Pro Tip: Add a can of Rotel tomatoes for an extra zing.

3 Unique Twists:

Add diced green peppers for a little bit of crunch.
Swap out the brown sugar for honey for a sweeter flavor.
Add smoked sausage for a heartier dish.

4. Mac N Cheese

When you are craving comfort food (and let’s be honest, who isn’t these days?), this dish hits the spot.

It’s creamy, it’s cheesy, and it’s oh-so-delicious.

Plus, it pairs perfectly with a Thai soup.

The best part is that you can easily make this dish your own by adding in your favorite toppings.

Pro Tip: To make this dish even creamier, add in a cup of heavy cream.

3 Unique Twists:

Add in some diced jalapeños for a little bit of spice.
Swap out the pasta for spiralized zucchini noodles to make it a bit healthier.
Top it with crispy bacon bits for an extra bit of flavor and texture.

5. Sweet Potato Fries

You can make these fries as spicy or as mild as you want, depending on your preferred level of heat.

I like to add a little bit of cayenne pepper to mine for an extra kick.

These fries are the perfect side dish to tom kha gai because they balance out the soup’s spice with their sweetness.

Pro Tip: If you’re feeling lazy, you can always buy pre-cut sweet potato fries at the grocery store. Just make sure to read the ingredients list so you know what you’re getting.

3 Unique Twists:

Add a dipping sauce – ketchup, BBQ sauce, or even honey mustard would all be delicious.
Make them into nachos! Top with shredded cheese, diced tomatoes, and green onions.
Give them an Asian flair by adding some hoisin sauce and sesame seeds before baking.

6. Roasted Garlic Parmesan Carrots

These carrots come out sweet, tender and really fragrant.

They make the perfect side to any rich and creamy soup, like tom kha gai.

I love how they get crispy around the edges while still maintaining that lovely roasted garlic flavor.

Pro Tip: If you want an extra-crispy carrot, try roasting them on a wire rack.

3 Unique Twists:

Swap out the Parmesan for another cheese, like goat cheese or Gruyere.
Add a pinch of cayenne pepper for a little bit of heat.
Use honey instead of sugar for a slightly different flavor profile.

7. Caesar Salad

Greens are important. I cannot stress that enough.

They are essential to a balanced diet and provide our bodies with the nutrients it needs to function properly.

But I’m also a firm believer that greens should be delicious, and this Caesar salad is just that.

The creamy dressing, the crunchy croutons, the Parmesan cheese… it all comes together to create a dish that is not only healthy, but also incredibly flavorful.

Pro Tip: When making the dressing, use Greek yogurt in place of mayonnaise for a lighter option.

3 Unique Twists:

Add grilled chicken or shrimp for a heartier salad.
Swap out the romaine lettuce for kale or spinach.
Top with roasted cherry tomatoes for a pop of sweetness.

8. Garlic Bread

I love something garlicky and crunchy to soak up all the amazing soup flavors, and this dish does not disappoint.

I like to use a rustic sourdough bread, but any type of bread will do.

Slather on some butter, add a ton of garlic (I’m talking at least 10 cloves), and bake until crispy.

Pro Tip: If you want an extra cheesy kick, add some grated Parmesan cheese to the bread before baking.

3 Unique Twists:

Swap out the butter for Vegan margarine
Add 1/2 teaspoon of dried oregano to the garlic bread before baking
Sprinkle some shredded mozzarella cheese on top of the garlic bread during the last few minutes of baking