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Thai Breakfast Rice Soup with Shrimp (Khao Tom Goong)

A comforting bowl of Thai Breakfast Rice Soup with tender shrimp, creamy jasmine rice, and a savory broth, perfect for chilly mornings.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Breakfast, Main Course
Cuisine: Thai
Calories: 300
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Soup Base
  • 3 cups pork or chicken stock, unsalted Opt for homemade or high-quality store-bought.
  • 3 cloves garlic Freshly minced for best flavor.
  • 1/4 tsp white peppercorns Pound to release oils.
  • 6 stems cilantro Or 2 roots for authentic flavor.
  • 150 g shrimp, cut into small chunks Fresh shrimp is essential; add extra whole ones for garnish.
  • 1 Tbsp fish sauce For umami and saltiness.
  • 1/2 Tbsp soy sauce Adds depth.
  • 3 cups cooked jasmine rice High-quality jasmine rice recommended.
Optional Garnishes
  • fried garlic & garlic oil For added flavor.
  • green onion or chopped cilantro For freshness.
  • Chinese preserved cabbage (tang chai) For a unique twist.
  • ground white pepper For additional heat, optional.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Pound the white peppercorns until finely ground. Add garlic and cilantro stems or roots, and pound until a smooth paste is formed.
  2. Take half of the paste and mix it with shrimp. Let it marinate for about 10 minutes.
Cooking
  1. Heat oil in a frying pan over medium-high heat. Add shrimp and sauté for 3-4 minutes until cooked through. Remove shrimp and deglaze the pan with stock.
  2. In a large pot, bring the stock to a boil. Add the remaining herb paste and simmer for about a minute.
  3. Stir in fish sauce and soy sauce, adjusting seasoning as necessary.
Final Assembly
  1. Bring broth to a boil, add jasmine rice and sautéed shrimp, and simmer for a minute. Turn off the heat.
  2. Ladle soup into bowls and garnish with fried garlic, green onion, and cilantro.

Notes

Serve immediately to avoid overcooked rice or shrimp. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 2 days.