Galangal

Galanga

What it is

A ginger relative, but sharper, more piney and far more fibrous — you cannot grate it, only slice it. Substituting ginger is the commonest way a Thai curry goes wrong at home, because the pine and citrus notes simply are not there.

In the kitchen

Slice it into coins and leave them in the pot to be fished out, like a bay leaf. It never softens enough to eat.

Goes with

Lemongrass Coconut milk Chili pepper Makrut lime leaf Fish sauce Lime Cilantro / Coriander Shrimp

Also used with

Andaliman Indonesian bay leaf (daun salam) Fingerroot Kluwak Thai basil Turmeric leaf

Something wrong here, or missing? Tell us