I love remaking some of my favorite dishes from restaurants. This one comes from my favorite restaurant in Birmingham – yes you guessed it, Surin. For the 10 years I have been going to this restaurant my order never changes (well except for the 9 months of pregnancy I could not have sushi). I get a volcano roll which is spicy tuna and cucumber on the inside and tuna, avocado, eel sauce on the outside with the best spicy aioli ever made. I also get an order of crab angels (also known as crab rangoon).
But one of the things I love most is the complimentary bowl of Coconut Tofu Soup that comes out before the meal.
I knew I had to reinvent this dish since I could enjoy it during our monthly visits back home. I mean let’s be honest I was indulging in this meal probably once a week when we were living there. After perfecting the recipe I decided to kick it up a notch by making it a little spicy. So feel free to omit some of the chili oil if you want it a little less spicy.
Spicy Coconut Soup
Ingredients
- 6 lemongrass stalks remove lower bulb & outer sheath and cut into 3 inch pieces*
- 1 1/2 tsp. fresh ginger minced
- 1 garlic clove minced
- 3 Tbsp. Thai red curry paste you can find this in the ethnic food section; use half of this amount if you want a less spicy soup
- 3 Tbsp. fish sauce ethnic food section
- 6 c. chicken stock
- 1 Tbsp. sugar
- 1 can unsweetened coconut milk
- 2 Tbsp. lime juice
- 2 tsp. red pepper oil/ red chili oil (ethnic food section use half of this amount if you want a less spicy soup or substitute olive oil
- 4 ounces of mushrooms
- 2 scallions
- Tofu cut into small cubes optional
Instructions
- Heat chili oil in a stockpot on medium -low heat. Add lemongrass (or lemon zest), garlic and ginger. Cook. Stirring constantly so it won't burn for 30-60 sec until it becomes aromatic. Add curry paste, cook for about 30 sec.
- Add 3 cups of chicken stock to dissolve the curry paste. Stir until it dissolves. Add remaining stock, fish sauce, and sugar over medium heat. Bring to a boil. Once it starts boiling reduce heat to low and let it simmer for 20 minutes.
- If adding mushrooms, add about 5 min before next step. If adding tofu cook as directed on package then add in.
- Stir in coconut milk and lime juice. Cook for 5 min. Remove lemongrass with strainer, if you used this.
Notes
did you make this recipe?
Make sure to follow on Pinterest @easyrecipesfromhome for more easy recipes!
Are you like me – do you have a favorite dish at a restaurant that you always order and vow to never try anything else again?
Comments & Reviews
kevin simpson says
¡I must have this spicy coconut soup you speak of!
Sophia says
Oooooo! Thanks for posting I LOVE Thai coconut soups!
Kaitlyn Casteel says
What if I wanted chicken instead of tofu?
Lauren says
Kaitlyn – Chicken would be great in it! You could either bake or poach the chicken and then dice it up and put it in at the end.
Sophia @ NY Foodgasm says
OH yes!! This looks awesome and I LOOOOOVE the bowl and spoon!
Lauren says
Oh you know us food bloggers can never have too many bowls, spoons, plates, glasses, etc. haha
Trish says
If I’m using lemongrass paste is it still 3 tbsp? And what size can of coconut milk?
You get my exact meal from Surin and I cannot wait to make this tonight!
Lauren says
Trish use a 14 fl oz can for the coconut milk. As for the lemongrass paste I have never tried it this way and from my research I cannot find an equivalent. My suggestion would be to start by adding 1 Tbsp and adjust the flavoring from there. I apologize and would love to hear how the paste works out. I will try to find some paste myself and experiment with it. Thank you for giving me something to look further into.
Daphne says
The BEST soup in the world.
Lauren Hall says
I know it’s my favorite! Thanks for stopping by Daphne.
Esther says
I don’t why I’m sadder- that I can’t eat at Surin anymore or that I never knew about the complementary soup… *lesigh* thanks for the recipe nonetheless! 🙂
Lauren Hall says
You’re welcome Esther hope you enjoy it as much as we do! Thanks for stopping by!
Neetra says
Thank you sooo much!!! I moved to Houston four years ago and miss Surin’s coconut soup. I took a chance to google the recipe. Surin West on the Southside was my favorite lunch spot.
Lauren Hall says
When we moved to Indy for 3 years I was without it too so I understand your pain. I hope you try it and you can reminisce about the flavors. Thanks for stopping by!
Gavin says
What’s the best way to strain out the lemongrass without the mushrooms and tofu getting in the way? Or do you just have to add those back in when you finish straining it?
Lauren Hall says
Gavin I have updated the recipe to make it more clear. If you cut them into larger pieces you can use the strainer to get them out without having to take the mushrooms and tofu out.
Cindy says
I made this last night. It was amazing! It tasted JUST like the soup from Surin. I couldn’t believe it. So easy to make. Hard to mess up. Thank you so much
Lauren Hall says
I am so glad you liked it Cindy – who knew making it at home would be so easy?! Hope you come back and try some other recipes!
Linda Turner says
I could not find straw mushrooms, so just bought some button mushrooms. Do you cook these at all before adding, or just slice them thinly and add? I have been wanting to make this soup for years, and finally I have found all of the ingredients except I forgot the chili oil I do have some olive oil infused with chili and rosemary (like a zesty dipping sauce). I wonder if that would work. Oh – and I’ll have to run get a lime – but this is being made this weekend! I live in Huntsville and we go to Surin often. Anytime I am feeling down, a bowl of this soup will lift my spirits! Better than traditional southern chicken soup if you’re feeling tummy sick! Last question: Do you think this soup would freeze well? It’s a lot to make at one time. If not good for freezing, how long would a batch last in the fridge?
Lauren Hall says
I just slice the mushrooms then add them a few minutes before adding coconut milk. I have never frozen it before. If you do try make sure to let it cool completely and when reheating it there might be a little more of a grainy texture. But I hope you enjoy this soup. It’s one of our favorites!
S.D Clayton says
Do you have a recipe for the Pad Prik?
Lauren Hall says
I don’t sadly! I’m sorry maybe in the future I can work on one though!
Lance says
Which store do you find all the ingredients. Can’t wait to make it.
Lauren Hall says
Whole Foods and Fresh Market have the fresh lemongrass and should have everything else
Aaron says
Thanks so much for sharing this recipe! My girlfriend and I love it! We both think it tastes even better than the soup from Surin !
Lauren Hall says
I am so glad you love it. It’s definitely one of my family’s favorites! Thank you for visiting and I hope you get a chance to try out some more recipes!!
Leslie says
Grateful for this recipe! I am addicted to this soup and have searched and searched for this recipe.yay!!!
Lauren Hall says
I am glad you found it! Comfort of Surin in your own home now 🙂
Trel Robinson says
Thank you so much for sharing this recipe. I was at Surin for lunch and the soup was so amazing I had to look up how to make it. Thankfully, there’s a new Asian supermarket in Homewood so finding all the ingredients was super easy. Again, I appreciate your sharing.
Lauren Hall says
You are so welcome! This is one of my most popular recipes so I hope you enjoy it!
Erin says
What is the total servings for this?