Baan Mae's Thom Khem Thaohu
While quick in preparation, this robust one-pot stew from Baan Mae in Washington, DC (one of our Best New Restaurants of 2025), boasts a complex, salty-sweet flavor thanks to a clever combination of caramelized sugar, lychee, warming spices, and fiery ginger. The trick is to fully cook your sugar.
Ingredients · Servings 4
- 3 Tbsp. sweet black soy sauce
- 2 Tbsp. soy sauce
- 2 Tbsp. black (Chinkiang) vinegar
- 1 Tbsp. oyster sauce
- 1 Tbsp. Chinese five-spice powder
- 1 tsp. Shaoxing wine (Chinese rice wine) or medium-dry sherry
- 3 Tbsp. vegetable oil
- 1 2" piece ginger, peeled, finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
- 3 Tbsp. finely chopped red onion
- 2 Tbsp. finely chopped seeded, peeled fresh lychees or drained canned lychees, plus 10 seeded, peeled fresh lychees or drained canned lychees, quartered
- 5 Tbsp. sugar
- 1 14-oz. block firm tofu, cut into 1" cubes
- Kosher salt
- Pickled vegetables, thinly sliced chile, cilantro leaves with tender stems, and/or thinly sliced scallions (optional) and steamed white rice (for serving)
Method · 45 min
- Mix 3 Tbsp. sweet black soy sauce, 2 Tbsp. soy sauce, 2 Tbsp. black (Chinkiang) vinegar, 1 Tbsp. oyster sauce, 1 Tbsp. Chinese five-spice powder, and 1 tsp. Shaoxing wine (Chinese rice wine) or medium-dry sherry in a small bowl to combine; set aside.
- Heat 3 Tbsp. vegetable oil in a medium saucepan over medium. Add one 2" piece ginger, peeled, finely chopped, 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped, 3 Tbsp. finely chopped red onion, and 2 Tbsp. finely chopped seeded, peeled fresh lychees or drained canned lychees; cook, stirring often, until onion is softened, about 4 minutes. Increase heat to medium-high; stir in 5 Tbsp. sugar. Cook, stirring occasionally, until sugar melts and turns deep brown (think maple syrup), 6–10 minutes. Immediately add reserved soy sauce mixture and bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to low and carefully add one 14-oz. block firm tofu, cut into 1" cubes, and 10 seeded, peeled fresh lychees or drained canned lychees, quartered. Simmer until tofu is heated through and has absorbed some of the sauce, 5–7 minutes; season with kosher salt.
- Ladle stew into bowls and top with pickled vegetables, thinly sliced chile, cilantro leaves with tender stems, and/or thinly sliced scallions if desired. Serve with steamed white rice.