Thai Soups and Curries for New Cooks

Learning to cook Thai food can seem intimidating at first — so many spices, herbs, and unique techniques! But once you understand a few basic principles, Thai cooking becomes fun and approachable. For beginners, Thai soups and curries are a perfect place to start. These comforting dishes rely on a balance of flavors — spicy, sour, sweet, and salty — and can be prepared with minimal effort using ingredients available in most supermarkets. In this guide, you’ll discover simple Thai soups and curries ideal for new cooks, along with step-by-step recipes, tips, and popular dishes to explore.

Why Thai Soups and Curries Are Great for Beginners

Thai cuisine is all about balance, and soups and curries perfectly showcase that harmony. From clear and spicy broths to creamy coconut curries, each dish teaches you how to work with core Thai ingredients such as lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, galangal, coconut milk, and fish sauce. For beginners, these dishes are forgiving — even small adjustments still result in rich, delicious flavors. Once you master one or two of these simple recipes, you’ll gain confidence to explore more complex Thai cooking techniques later on.

10 Popular Thai Soups and Curries Worth Trying

• Tom Yum Goong (Spicy Shrimp Soup)
• Tom Kha Gai (Chicken Coconut Soup)
• Gaeng Keow Wan (Green Curry)
• Gaeng Daeng (Red Curry)
• Massaman Curry (Sweet and Spiced Curry)
• Panang Curry (Creamy Peanut Curry)
• Jok (Thai Rice Porridge)
• Khao Soi (Northern Thai Curry Noodles)
• Gaeng Pa (Jungle Curry)
• Gaeng Som (Sour Curry Soup)

5 Easy Thai Soup and Curry Recipes for New Cooks

1. Tom Yum Goong (Thai Spicy Shrimp Soup)

Ingredients:

• Shrimp – 200g
• Lemongrass – 2 stalks (cut into 2-inch pieces)
• Galangal – 4 slices
• Kaffir lime leaves – 3
• Chili paste – 1 tbsp
• Fish sauce – 1 tbsp
• Lime juice – 2 tbsp
• Mushrooms – ½ cup (sliced)
• Water – 3 cups
• Cilantro – for garnish

Instructions:

1. Boil water in a pot and add lemongrass, galangal, and kaffir lime leaves. Simmer for 3 minutes.
2. Add shrimp and mushrooms. Cook until shrimp turns pink.
3. Stir in chili paste and fish sauce.
4. Turn off the heat, add lime juice, and garnish with cilantro before serving.

2. Tom Kha Gai (Thai Coconut Chicken Soup)

Ingredients:

• Chicken breast – 200g (thinly sliced)
• Coconut milk – 2 cups
• Water – 1 cup
• Lemongrass – 1 stalk (cut into sections)
• Galangal – 5 slices
• Mushrooms – ½ cup
• Fish sauce – 2 tbsp
• Lime juice – 2 tbsp
• Bird’s eye chili – 2 (crushed)
• Cilantro – for garnish

Instructions:

1. In a pot, bring coconut milk and water to a gentle boil.
2. Add lemongrass, galangal, and chili; simmer for 3 minutes.
3. Add chicken and mushrooms. Cook until chicken is done.
4. Season with fish sauce and lime juice, then garnish with cilantro before serving.

3. Green Curry with Chicken (Gaeng Keow Wan Gai)

Ingredients:

• Green curry paste – 2 tbsp
• Coconut milk – 2 cups
• Chicken – 200g
• Thai eggplants – ½ cup (quartered)
• Bamboo shoots – ½ cup
• Fish sauce – 1 tbsp
• Sugar – 1 tsp
• Fresh basil leaves – ½ cup

Instructions:

1. Heat ½ cup of coconut milk in a pot until it separates.
2. Add green curry paste and stir until fragrant.
3. Add chicken and stir-fry until cooked.
4. Pour in the remaining coconut milk and add eggplants and bamboo shoots.
5. Season with fish sauce and sugar, then add basil before serving.

4. Red Curry with Pork (Gaeng Daeng Moo)

Ingredients:

• Red curry paste – 2 tbsp
• Coconut milk – 2 cups
• Pork slices – 200g
• Bamboo shoots – ½ cup
• Fish sauce – 1 tbsp
• Sugar – 1 tsp
• Kaffir lime leaves – 3 (shredded)

Instructions:

1. Simmer half of the coconut milk until oil appears on the surface.
2. Add curry paste and stir until fragrant.
3. Add pork and cook until well coated with curry paste.
4. Add remaining coconut milk and bamboo shoots.
5. Season with fish sauce and sugar, sprinkle with kaffir lime leaves, and serve hot.

5. Massaman Curry (Beef Massaman)

Ingredients:

• Beef – 300g (cubed)
• Massaman curry paste – 2 tbsp
• Coconut milk – 2 cups
• Potatoes – 1 cup (cubed)
• Onion – 1 (sliced)
• Peanuts – 2 tbsp (roasted)
• Tamarind juice – 1 tbsp
• Palm sugar – 1 tsp
• Fish sauce – 1 tbsp

Instructions:

1. In a pot, heat coconut milk and curry paste together until fragrant.
2. Add beef cubes and cook until brown.
3. Add potatoes, onions, and remaining coconut milk.
4. Simmer for 30 minutes until beef and potatoes are tender.
5. Season with tamarind juice, palm sugar, fish sauce, and sprinkle with roasted peanuts before serving.

Essential Tips for Cooking Thai Soups and Curries

• Use fresh herbs like lemongrass, galangal, and kaffir lime leaves for authentic flavor.
• Don’t overcook coconut milk — keep it on medium heat to avoid curdling.
• Balance the flavors: taste often and adjust sweetness, saltiness, and spice to your liking.
• Use curry pastes from trusted Thai brands if you’re short on time.
• Serve with jasmine rice or rice noodles for a complete meal.

Conclusion: Discover the Joy of Thai Soups and Curries

Thai soups and curries are not just flavorful — they’re cultural treasures that introduce new cooks to the heart of Thai cuisine. With simple ingredients and easy steps, you can recreate these aromatic dishes in your own kitchen. Once you get comfortable, try experimenting with different curry pastes and ingredients to create your unique twist. For even more inspiration, check out authentic Thai curry recipes from trusted sources and continue your journey into Thai cooking with confidence.