Thai Holy Basil

Thai holy basil (ใบกะเพรา; Bai Gkaprow; pictured above) is an important ingredient in Thai cooking. It is also known as “hot basil” or “sacred basil”. Holy basil is popularly used to cook chicken, pork and seafood dishes. They are very rare compared to other types of basil outside of Thailand, and your best bet to find it is at a Thai grocery or supermarket.

See Also:

• Thai Supermarket in Singapore
• Thai Basil Chicken Recipe
• Easy Thai Recipes

The unique mild medicinal taste (in a nice way of course) of holy basil is signature in classic Thai dishes such as Thai basil chicken (Gai Pad Krapow). While an equal replacement is impossible, you can substitute holy basil with any type of basil (and along with a bit of mint if you have).

You can tell Thai basil apart from other basil from its dainty small flowers which are edible.

To cook, I usually pick out the leaves and flowers.

And here’s a classic and simple Thai dish you can cook with it: stir-fry chicken with holy basil. Click on the photo above for the recipe (includes video).

Where to buy it in Singapore: Thai supermarket at Golden Mile Complex, Singapore

Storage tips: This basil perishes rather quickly, so keep it chilled in the fridge. Best consumed within a few days.

Get all recipes tagged with this ingredient.