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

Bánh Mì Thịt Nướng (Grilled Pork Bánh Mì)Cơm Tấm Sườn Nướng (Broken Rice with Grilled Pork Chop)Fish Amok (Amok Trey)Curry LaksaMohinga (Burmese Fish Noodle Soup)Beef rendangSoto AyamSri Lankan Chicken Curry (Kukul Mas Curry)Tom Kha GaiTom Yum Goong (Hot and Sour Shrimp Soup)Bánh Mì Rice BowlCoconut 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 FiskesuppeThai Lemongrass GambasGreen Curry with Hand-Pounded PastePrawn-Head Stock Curry LaksaHand-Chopped Larb Gai with Lemongrass Khao Khua and Crispy Chicken SkinMohinga 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)Tom Yum Seafood PaellaTom Yum Shoyu Ramen with PrawnsPadang-style dry rendangRendang beef tacosCrispy rendang wingsTom Kha Coconut SamgyetangTom 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 JjigaeTom 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 Chili

Updated 2026-10-10