Hotnoodlecoldwine’s Khao Tom

Image description: A white bowl sits on a steel tabletop at Nana Thai and holds khao tom in it topped with prawns, mushroom, fried shallots and ample coriander. Photograph: hotnoodlecoldwine.

Recipe and photograph by @hotnoodlecoldwine.

We know that times are tough with inflation, climate change and the pandemic. Rising food prices mean we’re all trying to cut costs where possible, so we asked some people in the industry to provide us with their inspiration for affordable scratch meals.

This is the second recipe in our Scratch Meals series.

This dish is important to me in many ways. We used to eat it if we got sick when we were young and you could get this dish at any time of the day in Bangkok.

It’s particularly important to us now because every time we eat this dish it reminds us of a good time growing up in Thailand and having access to tasty food at all times at any price point. We recently discovered that you can order it at Nana Thai (and you can get it in three different ways if you ask nicely), plus it’s super nice in cold winter weather.

It’s also super easy to make and a great way to use up old cooked rice from your previous meal.

Serves 2-4 people.

Ingredients –

2 cups cooked rice

3 cups stock (pork, chicken, fish or mushroom)

2 tbsp mushroom-flavored dark soy sauce

Salt, to taste

Pinch of Dtang chai*

1 tsp minced galangal 

To serve

ผักชีล้อม, also known as Phak chi lom, Japanese parsley or Chinese celery, sliced

Spring onion, sliced

Crispy garlic

White pepper

Method –

1. Bring the stock to simmer, seasoning it with soy sauce and salt (and add your protein or mushrooms and cook accordingly).

2. Place cooked rice in serving bowl along with your choice of protein.

3. Ladle the stock over the cooked rice and protein then scatter dtang chai and galangal over it.

4. Garnish with Phak chi lom, spring onions, crispy garlic and white pepper.

5. Serve hot with chopsticks and a Chinese soup spoon for maximum effect.

Tips –

* Dtang chai is also known as preserved cabbage and you can easily find it in a can at Asian grocery stores.

Feel free to add any protein such as pork soft bone, chicken thigh and breast, white fish, scallops, oysters, prawns and if fancy some sliced lobster or any type of mushroom.

If you’re into condiments then add chilli oil, yellow bean sauce or more soy sauce.