When it comes to Thai food, most people think of Tom Yum Kung, Green Curry, or Pad Thai. But wait a second!
There’s a beloved Thai comfort dish that’s still under the radar for many Japanese folks — the ultimate mix-it-all rice: Khao Kluk Kapi （ข้าวคลุกกะปิ）!
“Khao” means rice, “Kluk” means mix, and “Kapi” is shrimp paste. So yes, it’s basically “shrimp paste everything-on-it rice”!
Hold on now — shrimp paste sounds intense? Maybe. But with this dish, the addiction goes the other way around.
Once you try it, you’ll be thinking, “What is this colorful chaos? I love it!”
Chaos on a plate — and that’s the charm
First, the presentation — it’s colorful and lively!
・Brown shrimp paste-fried rice
・Yellow shredded omelet
・Green beans or sliced cucumbers
・Sliced red onions
・Sweet and savory pork （Moo Wan）
・Julienned green mango
・Tiny chilies
・Lime wedges
・Sometimes dried shrimp or chili pickled in fish sauce too!
You mix all of this into a glorious mess. Don’t worry about manners — the messier the better!
Sweet, spicy, sour, salty — Khao Kluk Kapi is Thai cuisine in a nutshell. You’ll find yourself thinking, “This isn’t curry… but why can’t I stop eating it?” as a new door opens in your culinary mind.
Thai people love it too — perfect for lunch boxes!
Khao Kluk Kapi is a common sight at street stalls and humble eateries across Thailand. It’s recently gained popularity as a lunchbox option in business districts. Since it’s tasty even when cold, it’s ideal for bentos.
Thai friends often say:
“My mom’s Khao Kluk Kapi is the best in the world!”
“Green beans are a must!”
Maybe it’s their version of mom’s cooking.
Make it at home! Easy Khao Kluk Kapi recipe
[Ingredients for 2 servings]
🔸 Cooked rice… 2 bowls （cold rice is fine）
🔸 Kapi （Thai shrimp paste）… 2 teaspoons
🔸 Cooking oil… 1 tablespoon
🔸 Eggs… 2
🔸 Pork belly… 150g （thinly sliced）
🔸 Sugar… 2 tablespoons
🔸 Fish sauce… 1 tablespoon
🔸 Red onion… 1/4 （thinly sliced）
🔸 Green mango… to taste （substitute with green apple or cucumber if unavailable）
🔸 Green beans… 5–6 （chopped）
🔸 Lime… 1/2 （cut into wedges）
🔸 Small chilies, dried shrimp… optional
[Instructions]
① [Make the egg]
Cook a thin omelet and cut it into strips.
② [Prepare sweet pork]
Heat oil in a pan, cook pork, and season with sugar and fish sauce until glossy.
③ [Fry the rice]
In a separate pan, heat oil and stir-fry the shrimp paste to bring out the aroma. Add rice and mix thoroughly.
④ [Arrange the toppings]
Arrange the pork, egg, beans, onion, mango, lime, etc., around the fried rice for a vibrant look.
⑤ [Time to mix!]
Grab a spoon and mix e