Galangal and ginger look alike: both rhizomes from the same plant family, with a knobby shape. Yet they're different herbs with a clearly different taste. In this blog you'll read the difference in taste, appearance and use, and whether you can swap one for the other. You'll find dried galangal in our energy herbs.
Same family, different plant
Galangal (Alpinia galanga) and ginger (Zingiber officinale) both belong to the ginger family (Zingiberaceae). That's why the rhizomes resemble each other. But they're separate plants with their own flavour profile, and in the kitchen they behave differently.
Difference in appearance
Ginger: light brown, thinner skin, softer flesh, easy to cut and grate.
Galangal: pale, smoother skin with reddish rings, harder and more fibrous flesh. Cutting takes more effort.
Difference in taste
This is the main difference. Ginger is warm, sweetish and slightly sharp. Galangal is sharper, woodier and more peppery, with a fresh, citrusy note. Galangal is more intense and less sweet than ginger.
Can you substitute galangal and ginger?
Not ideal. In a pinch you can use ginger instead of galangal, but then you miss the sharp, peppery note that gives a dish like tom kha gai its character. The other way around, galangal instead of ginger quickly makes a dish too sharp. For the best result, use what the recipe calls for.
Rule of thumb when substituting
If you really must, use slightly less ginger than the amount of galangal called for, and add a little lemon zest or black pepper to mimic that fresh, sharp note.
Where do you use which?
Ginger fits broadly: from baking and tea to stir-fries. Galangal is more specific and belongs mainly in Southeast Asian dishes, soups, curry pastes and marinades. In herbal blends such as our Kokmok tincture, galangal is combined with other herbs. Find more in our energy herbs.
Frequently asked questions
Is galangal sharper than ginger?
Yes. Galangal is more peppery and woody, ginger is milder and sweeter.
Can I use ginger instead of galangal?
In a pinch yes, but the taste changes. You miss galangal's typical sharp note.
Is galangal also called laos?
Yes. Laos is the Indonesian name for galangal, you'll come across both.
Where do I buy galangal?
Dried galangal (50 grams) is in our energy herbs.
