Tom kha gai is a spicy hot soup in Lao cuisine and Thai Cuisine. This soup is made with coconut milk, galangal, lemon grass and chicken. The fried chillies add a smoky flavor as well as texture, color and heat, but not so much that it overwhelms the soup. The key is to get a taste balance between the spices. Thai-style Tom Kha Gai does not use dill weed, whereas Lao-style Tom Kha Gai usually contains "phak si" (dill weed), which is a common herb used in Lao cuisine. There are other versions made with seafood (tom kha talay), mushroom (tom kha het), and tofu (tom kha tofu). All follow a similar recipe.
