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

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.

What To Serve With Tom Kha Gai

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.
See also  What to Serve with Cauliflower Gnocchi? (11 Easy Sides)

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.
See also  What Goes with Pork Chops and Applesauce? (10 Sides)

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
See also  What Soup to Serve with Salmon (14 Soups)

9. Potato Salad

I love a traditional potato salad, but this dish takes it to the next level.

The addition of lime juice and fish sauce give it a bright and salty flavor that really compliments the tom kha gai.

And, the cilantro adds a nice pop of freshness.

Pro Tip: If you can’t find Thai chili peppers, you can substitute with red pepper flakes.

3 Unique Twists:

  • Add diced mango for a sweet and spicy twist
  • Swap out the potatoes for sweet potatoes for a heartier dish
  • Add chopped peanuts for a crunchy contrast

Related:

18 Soups That Go with Beer Bread

What Salad Goes With Tomato Soup? 10 Best Salads

What Salad Goes With Potato Soup? 9 Best Salads

What Sandwich Goes with Cream of Mushroom Soup? (14 Options)

11 Best Herbs and Spices for Split Pea Soup

What Soup Goes with Rye Bread? (17 Soups)

What Vegetables Go in Turkey Soup? (13 Best Veggies)

What Soup to Serve with Salmon (14 Soups)

What To Serve With Chicken Corn Soup? 17 Best Side Dishes

What to Serve with Strawberry Spinach Salad? 10 Best Sides

what to serve with tom kha gai soup

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

When you're out of ideas for what to make for dinner, turn to this list of 9 best side dishes to serve with Tom Kha Gai.
From rice and noodles to vegetables and salads, there's something here for everyone.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American, Thai
Servings 4 people
Calories 388 kcal

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

Instructions
 

  • Choose any of these sides to serve with your Thai soup.
  • Prepare the ingredients according to the recipe.
  • Enjoy in no time!
Keyword What To Serve With Tom Kha Gai