Ginger vs. galangal: these are the differences

If you enjoy delving a little deeper into Asian cuisine, there’s a good chance you’ll come across the ingredients ginger and galangal at some point. And if you go the extra mile and opt for the fresh version, you may soon find yourself wondering in the Asian grocery store whether you’re holding a botched piece of ginger with a ‘galangal’ sticker accidentally stuck on it. Because at first glance, they look alike…

But they are definitely different, and you can’t just randomly substitute one for the other. Related? Absolutely, but each has a very distinct flavor. It certainly can’t hurt to keep a good-sized piece of each in the freezer, because freshly sliced or grated is almost always more delicious than dried powder from a jar.

Ginger

Fresh ginger is spicy, distinctive, and, in our opinion, an indispensable flavor booster. You don’t necessarily have to peel it, and you can simmer it in slices in dishes (or, of course, use it to make tea), or finely chop or grate it. It’s delicious in Jonnie Boer’s pork belly recipe, but also in comfort desserts like this crispy pear crumble.

Galangal

Fresh galangal has a similar root-like shape, but its taste and aroma are truly different from those of ginger. Not sweet and spicy, but more pine-like and intense. Some people find the flavor citrusy, while others think it smells like soap. (These are probably also the coriander haters…) It’s not suitable for grating (because it’s much harder than ginger), but it can be simmered in slices in sauces or curries. Do remove the galangal before serving, because eating a piece of it on its own really isn’t pleasant. It can, however, be pounded in a mortar into bumbu pastes, or ground into smaller pieces with a hand blender or in a food processor. You can taste how delicious galangal is, for example, in this Thai curry with clams. And if you do buy it in powdered form after all (and no, that really isn’t a disgrace): use it to make a marinade for this heavenly chicken satay skillet!

Also read:

• Help! How do I survive the Asian grocery store?
• Fill your Indonesian pantry like this
• What is the difference between dumplings and wontons?