Lemongrass

ตะไคร้ / takhrai; sả

Flavor and role

A tough-stalked herb with a lemon aroma and ginger-like freshness. Bruise the white lower part and add to broths, or chop finely for pastes.

Typical dishes and uses

Tom yum goong, Thai curry pastes, Vietnamese grilled lemongrass pork, rendang, sambal.

Substitutes

1 lemongrass stalk = 1 tsp lemon zest + a little ginger. 1 tbsp dried lemongrass can also replace it.

Storage

Wrapped in cling film, 2 weeks in the fridge. Sliced and frozen, 6 months.

Main countries

Thailand · Vietnam · Indonesia

Used in this book

Ayam Goreng (Indonesian Fried Chicken)Ayam Masak MerahAyam PenyetBánh Mì Thịt Nướng (Grilled Pork Bánh Mì)Bún Bò Huế (Spicy Hue Beef Noodle Soup)Bún Thịt Nướng (Vietnamese Lemongrass Pork Noodle Bowl)Cơm Tấm Sườn Nướng (Broken Rice with Grilled Pork Chop)Fish Amok (Amok Trey)Gai Yang (Isan-Style Thai Grilled Chicken)Curry LaksaMohinga (Burmese Fish Noodle Soup)Num Banh ChokRawonBeef rendangSamlor KorkoSayur Lodeh (Javanese Vegetables in Coconut Milk)Soto AyamSri Lankan Chicken Curry (Kukul Mas Curry)Tom Kha GaiTom Yum Goong (Hot and Sour Shrimp Soup)Green Curry Coconut Arroz con Pollo (Colombian × Thai)Thai Coconut-Lemongrass AsopaoAyam Goreng Lengkuas (Galangal-Crumb Fried Chicken)Ayam Goreng Tacos with Sambal Matah (Indonesian × Mexican)Kenduri-Style Ayam Masak Merah, Double-Fried with Coconut FinishAyam Penyet KremesBakso Laksa (Indonesian × Malaysian)Bánh Mì Rice BowlBeef Rendang Bitterballen with Sambal Mayo (Dutch × Indonesian)Bún Bò Huế Đặc Biệt with Oxtail and Homemade Chả HuếBún Bò Huế Birria TacosBún Bò Huế Trộn (Spicy Lemongrass Beef Dry Noodles)Charcoal Bún Thịt Nướng with Caramel Pork and Crispy ShallotsLemongrass Pork Belly Ssam with Gochujang Nước Chấm (Vietnamese × Korean)Lemongrass Pork Bánh Tráng Nướng (Rice Paper Pizza)Burmese Chicken Curry with Shallot Oil, Lemongrass and Crispy ShallotsCanh Chua with Fish-Bone Broth and Crispy-Skin Sea BassThai Red Curry Cazuela with Coconut, Pumpkin and CornCoconut Lemongrass Clam ChowderCharcoal Cơm Tấm Sườn Chả with Steamed Egg MeatloafCơm Tấm Tacos with Lemongrass Pork and Scallion OilCơm Tấm Rice BurgerThai Red Curry Coconut Dal with Lemongrass TadkaTom Yum Egg Drop Soup (Thai x Chinese)Silky Amok with Toasted Kroeung and Coconut CreamAmok Moules Marinière with BaguetteBaked Amok Fish Toasts with Lime MayoThai Red Curry Coconut FiskesuppeCharcoal Turmeric Gai Yang with Charred-Shallot JaewGai Yang Pita with Jaew Yogurt (Thai × Greek)Thai Lemongrass GambasGreen Curry with Hand-Pounded PastePrawn-Head Stock Curry LaksaHand-Chopped Larb Gai with Lemongrass Khao Khua and Crispy Chicken SkinDouble-Fried Lechon Kawali with Homemade Liver SarsaLight Soup Rice Noodle Bowl (Ghanaian × Vietnamese)Mohinga with Fish-Bone Broth, Toasted Rice and Crispy ShallotsMohinga Ramen with Soy-Marinated EggMohinga Fried Rice with Toasted Chickpea CrunchThai red curry moqueca with lemongrassNasi Lemak with Spiced Fried Chicken (Ayam Goreng Berempah)Smoky Grilled-Fish Num Banh ChokKroeung Fish Tacos with Coconut-Lime Crema (Cambodian × Mexican)Kroeung Fish Cakes with Coconut Curry Dip and Herb WrapsOhn No Khao Swe with Toasted Chickpea Flour and Crispy Noodle CrownTom Yum Seafood PaellaTom Yum Shoyu Ramen with PrawnsRawon Iga (Beef Short Rib Rawon) with Sambal TerasiRawon Beef Ragù Pappardelle with Salted Egg Yolk (Indonesian × Italian)Rawon Beef Sliders with Salted Egg Mayo and Sprout SlawPadang-style dry rendangRendang beef tacosCrispy rendang wingsOvernight-Rested Roti Canai with Malaysian Chicken Curry (Kari Ayam)Roti Jala with Fresh Rempah Chicken CurryTom Kha Coconut SamgyetangSamlor Korko with Slow-Simmered Pork Ribs and Smoked FishKroeung Miso Pork Hot Pot (Cambodian × Japanese)Kroeung Pork and Roasted Pumpkin Rice Bowl with Toasted Rice CrunchSayur Lodeh with Fresh-Pressed Coconut MilkSayur Lodeh Coconut Risotto with Crispy Tempeh (Indonesian × Italian)Tom Yum Shabu-ShabuSoto Ayam Lamongan with KoyaSoto Ayam RamenSoto Fried Rice with a Golden Broth ShotSri Lankan Black Chicken Curry with Toasted CoconutTom Yum Sundubu JjigaeCoconut-Lemongrass Chicken Thukpa (Nepali × Thai)Lemongrass Rice-Water Tinola with Garlic ChipsTom Kha Gai with Quick Bone Stock and Charred AromaticsTom Kha Coconut Miso RamenTom Kha Creamy Chicken Rice BowlCreamy Tom Yum Goong Nam Khon with Shrimp-Head StockTom Yum Shrimp Cream SpaghettiCrispy Tom Yum Fried Rice with Jammy EggThai Coconut Lemongrass White Chicken ChiliTom Yum Prawn Soup Dumplings (Thai × Shanghai)

Updated 2026-10-10