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Galangal

Galangal is a common name for aromatic rhizomes from several plants in the ginger family, especially *Alpinia galanga* and *Alpinia officinarum*.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Galangal is a common name for aromatic rhizomes from several plants in the ginger family, especially *Alpinia galanga* and *Alpinia officinarum*. In culinary use, it is valued as a pungent spice in Southeast Asian cooking, particularly Thai and Indonesian dishes. The name may also refer more broadly to related species such as fingerroot and kencur.

Taxonomy and naming

Galangal is a common name applied to several species in the ginger family, especially *Alpinia galanga* (greater galangal) and *Alpinia officinarum* (lesser galangal). In broader common usage, the name may also include related plants such as fingerroot and kencur.

Description

Galangal plants are tropical perennial herbs with upright stems, long leaves, and thick aromatic rhizomes. The rhizome is the part most often used in cooking and traditional remedies.

Culinary use

Galangal is an important spice in Southeast Asian cuisine, where it adds a sharp, aromatic flavour to soups, curries, and pastes. It is especially associated with Thai and Indonesian dishes.

Traditional medicine

Galangal has a long history of use in traditional medicine systems, including as a digestive aid and for other folk applications. These uses are historical and cultural rather than proof of medical efficacy.

Key facts

  • Galangal is not a single species name in common usage; it can refer to several rhizomatous plants in the ginger family.
  • The best-known culinary form is *Alpinia galanga*, also called greater galangal or Thai ginger.
  • Galangal rhizomes are aromatic and pungent, with a flavor often described as peppery, citrusy, or pine-like.
  • It is widely used in Thai, Indonesian, Malaysian, Cambodian, Vietnamese, and Laotian cuisines.
  • The plant is a tropical evergreen perennial that grows from an underground rhizome.
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Canadian context

Galangal is available in some Canadian grocery stores and Asian markets, especially in larger cities with diverse Southeast Asian communities. It is mainly relevant to Canadian readers as a culinary ingredient and garden plant for warm indoor or greenhouse growing.

Frequently asked questions

What is galangal?
Galangal is a common name for aromatic rhizomes from several ginger-family plants, especially *Alpinia galanga* and *Alpinia officinarum*.
Is galangal the same as ginger?
No. Galangal is a different plant, though it belongs to the same family as ginger and is used in similar culinary contexts.
What part of the plant is used?
The rhizome, an underground stem, is the part usually harvested and used as a spice.
What does galangal taste like?
It is usually described as pungent, peppery, aromatic, and sometimes citrusy or pine-like.
Where is galangal used in cooking?
It is common in Southeast Asian cuisines, especially Thai, Indonesian, Malaysian, Cambodian, Vietnamese, and Laotian cooking.
Does galangal have medicinal uses?
It has a long history of traditional medicinal use, but those uses do not by themselves prove clinical effectiveness.

References

  1. Missouri Botanical Garden — https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=287591
    Supports: *Alpinia galanga* as Siamese ginger/Thai ginger/galangal; tropical evergreen perennial; thick aromatic rhizome.
  2. Specialty Produce — https://specialtyproduce.com/produce/Galangal_Root_618.php
    Supports: Galangal as an underground rhizome in the ginger family; distinction between greater and lesser galangal.
  3. Epic Gardening — https://www.epicgardening.com/galangal-plant/
    Supports: Greater and lesser galangal; general growth habit and height; culinary and medicinal distinctions.
  4. National Parks Board Singapore — https://www.nparks.gov.sg/florafaunaweb/flora/1/6/1644
    Supports: *Alpinia galanga* / Lengkuas; large herbaceous plant; height information.
  5. The Spruce Eats — https://www.thespruceeats.com/what-is-galangal-5186943
    Supports: Galangal as a ginger-family rhizome used in Southeast Asian and Indian cooking; flavor description; countries of use.