Thai Coconut Curry Soup

Featured in Liquid Comfort in a Bowl.

This creamy coconut curry soup is loaded with fresh vegetables, tender noodles, and rich coconut milk. Quick to make and full of authentic Thai flavors that'll keep you cozy.
A chef wearing a white hat and apron.
Updated on Sat, 19 Apr 2025 00:31:32 GMT
A bowl of creamy vegetable curry soup garnished with vibrant veggies and fresh cilantro on top. Pin it
A bowl of creamy vegetable curry soup garnished with vibrant veggies and fresh cilantro on top. | cookscoop.com

I wanna tell you about my go-to Thai-inspired soup that brings all those amazing Southeast Asian flavors right into your home! I've eaten at so many Thai places over the years and finally came up with this coconut curry creation that's now our family's ultimate comfort meal. The way the smooth coconut milk, spicy curry and crisp veggies blend together makes something truly wonderful in every spoonful. When I first whipped this up, my husband (who usually avoids anything spicy) actually wanted more!

What Makes This Soup Stand Out

This ain't your typical coconut soup! When you mix the creamy coconut milk, aromatic curry paste and soft rice noodles, you get incredible flavor layers that'll make you feel like you're sitting in a café in Bangkok. I made this for some friends who came over last week and they couldn't believe I didn't order takeout. Even my picky eaters who usually turn their noses up at anything unfamiliar can't get enough of those noodles!

Ingredients You'll Want

  • The Base:
    • Flavorful vegetable broth
    • Creamy coconut milk
    • Spicy Thai red curry paste
    • Zingy ginger and garlic
  • The Veggies:
    • Bright bell peppers
    • Crunchy carrots and celery
    • Thinly sliced red onion
  • The Finishing Touches:
    • Thin rice vermicelli noodles
    • Tangy lime juice
    • Bunches of cilantro
    • Your favorite cooking oil

Cooking Time Begins

Creating Our Flavor Foundation
We'll start by cooking those gorgeous veggies, watching as they turn tender and release all their goodness. Then comes the exciting part when we throw in the curry paste, ginger and garlic – your whole house will smell unbelievably good!
Mixing Up That Delicious Broth
When you pour in the coconut milk and broth, seeing everything blend together feels like you're putting on a Thai cooking show. I just love watching the liquid slowly turn into this beautiful golden color!
Adding The Last Bits
Those soft rice noodles, tangy lime juice and fresh cilantro really bring the whole dish to life. Every bowl ends up looking like a colorful masterpiece with amazing textures!
A warm bowl of soup with thin noodles, red peppers, and cilantro, set against a textured surface. Pin it
A warm bowl of soup with thin noodles, red peppers, and cilantro, set against a textured surface. | cookscoop.com

Tips For Amazing Results

Want my insider tricks for knockout Thai coconut soup? Never skip using fresh ginger and garlic – they truly transform the flavor! Go easy with the curry paste at first since you can always add extra later if needed. And my top suggestion? Drop in that lime juice just before serving to keep that zingy freshness alive!

Time To Eat

I always set out little bowls with extra lime chunks, bunches of herbs and sometimes crushed peanuts. This way everyone can fix their soup exactly how they want it! When friends come over, I keep the noodles on the side so they can grab as much as they like. Sometimes I'll even put out different proteins like tofu chunks or cooked shrimp for folks to add in.

Storing For Later

The soup flavor actually gets better overnight! Just store the noodles separately and toss in fresh ones when you warm it up. I usually cook twice as much of the base and freeze portions – it's perfect for those evenings when you need something hot and satisfying without much work.

Change It Up

Feel free to put your own twist on this! I sometimes throw in different veggies like mushrooms or bok choy. My son who loves heat adds extra curry paste to his portion. One time I used coconut cream instead of milk to make it super rich – it was amazing! That's what makes cooking fun – finding what works best for your taste buds.

A bowl of creamy soup with noodles, red pepper pieces, and fresh cilantro leaves. Pin it
A bowl of creamy soup with noodles, red pepper pieces, and fresh cilantro leaves. | cookscoop.com

The Joy Behind This Dish

This soup has turned into our favorite way to enjoy Thai flavors without leaving home! There's nothing better than creating restaurant-quality food right in your own kitchen. My children are learning about new tastes and ingredients while watching simple items turn into something spectacular.

The greatest reward isn't just how tasty it is but seeing everyone smile when they try it! Whether you're making it for a quiet night at home or showing someone new Thai flavors, it always hits the spot. And that moment when people realize they can make their favorite takeout dishes themselves? That's why I love cooking so much!

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I prepare this soup in advance?
Yes, the base can be made up to 2 days before. Keep noodles separate until you're reheating to avoid sogginess.
→ What can I use if I don’t have vermicelli noodles?
Any type of rice noodles works. Regular wheat noodles, udon, or ramen can also be substitutes—just cook according to their package.
→ How spicy is this dish?
The spice level varies by your curry paste. Start small and add more if needed. Add chili oil or sriracha for extra kick.
→ What’s the vegetarian alternative?
Use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. All the other ingredients are already vegetarian-friendly.
→ How long can I store leftovers?
Keep leftovers for up to 3 days in the fridge. Store the noodles separately and reheat gently in a pot or microwave.

Coconut Curry Soup

Warm up with this flavorful coconut curry soup full of vibrant veggies and soft vermicelli noodles. Great for chilly evenings or whenever you need comfort food.

Prep Time
10 Minutes
Cook Time
20 Minutes
Total Time
30 Minutes
By: Adriana

Category: Soups & Broths

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: Thai

Yield: 4 Servings (4 bowls)

Dietary: Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free

Ingredients

01 1 bag of rice vermicelli noodles (400-500g).
02 1 big yellow bell pepper, sliced thin.
03 1 big red bell pepper, sliced thin.
04 1 medium red onion, cut thinly.
05 2 carrots, julienned.
06 2 celery sticks, chopped.
07 6 garlic cloves, minced fine.
08 6 tbsp of red curry paste.
09 1 tbsp of grated fresh ginger.
10 4 cups chicken or vegetable stock.
11 1 lime, juiced.
12 1 can (13.5 oz) of coconut milk.
13 ¼ cup parsley or cilantro, chopped fresh.
14 Cooking oil of choice.
15 Season with salt and pepper, as needed.

Instructions

Step 01

Warm oil in a big pot over medium heat. Stir in onion, peppers, celery, and carrots until they soften but still stay crisp, about 4 minutes.

Step 02

Add in garlic, curry paste, and ginger. Stir and let it cook until the aroma fills the air, about 2 minutes.

Step 03

Pour stock into the pot and mix well. Bring it to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for 15 minutes to let the flavors meld.

Step 04

While the soup cooks, boil the noodles in a separate pot for 1-2 minutes. Drain, rinse with cool water, and toss occasionally to stop sticking.

Step 05

Stir in the coconut milk and let it simmer for 10 minutes to thicken a bit. Add lime juice, chopped herbs, and noodles. Taste and adjust salt and pepper.

Notes

  1. If storing leftovers, don't mix noodles with the soup to keep their texture.
  2. Use less curry paste if you prefer mild heat, or more for extra spice.
  3. Make ahead of time and rewarm slowly when ready to eat.

Tools You'll Need

  • Big pot.
  • Extra pot for boiling noodles.
  • Draining colander.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains coconut.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 655
  • Total Fat: 23 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 104 g
  • Protein: 9 g