Noodlepedia
A glossary of both familiar and lesser-known Asian ingredients and terms.
Lemongrass
A fragrant tropical grass with bright citrus flavor and floral notes. A must-have in Thai, Vietnamese, and Indonesian cooking.
Pro Tip: To unlock the flavor, bruise the stalk with the back of a knife before cooking — it’s like waking it up!
How to Use It:
- Smash + simmer in soups or curries
- Mince finely for marinades or stir-fries
- Steep in tea or cocktails for a citrus twist
1. Lemongrass Coconut Chicken Soup (Tom Kha Gai Vibes)
Vibe: Creamy, tangy, and fragrant. This is Thai comfort food in a bowl—perfect for chilly nights, sore throats, or just treating yourself.
🛒 Ingredients:
1 stalk lemongrass, trimmed and smashed
2 cups chicken broth
1 cup coconut milk
1 chicken thigh or breast, thinly sliced
3 slices galangal or ginger
3–4 kaffir lime leaves (optional but 💋)
1–2 Thai chilis (optional)
1 tbsp fish sauce
1 tsp sugar
Juice of 1 lime
Mushrooms or tomatoes (optional)
Fresh cilantro or Thai basil to garnish
👩🍳 Instructions:
Simmer chicken broth with lemongrass, galangal, and lime leaves for 5–10 mins to infuse.
Add coconut milk and bring to a gentle simmer.
Add chicken and mushrooms. Simmer until chicken is cooked through.
Season with fish sauce, sugar, and lime juice. Adjust to taste.
Serve hot, garnished with herbs. Remove lemongrass before eating.
🍋 Why it slaps: Lemongrass brings that lemony-floral base note that makes this soup feel like magic in a bowl.
2. Grilled Lemongrass Skewers (Chicken or Tofu)
Vibe: Smoky, citrusy, savory bites perfect for rice bowls, noodle salads, or lettuce wraps. Great for meal prep or cookouts.
🛒 Ingredients:
1 stalk lemongrass, minced
1 lb chicken thigh or extra-firm tofu, cut into chunks
1 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp fish sauce or vegan alt
1 tsp brown sugar
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp sesame oil
Optional: skewers, fresh herbs, lime wedges
👩🍳 Instructions:
Mix lemongrass, soy sauce, fish sauce, sugar, garlic, and sesame oil in a bowl.
Add chicken or tofu and marinate for 30 mins (or longer).
Thread onto skewers and grill, broil, or pan-fry until golden and cooked through.
Serve with rice, salad, or wrapped in lettuce with chili sauce.
🔥 Why it works: The lemongrass caramelizes slightly and perfumes the meat/tofu—it’s bold, fresh, and full of that Southeast Asian zing.