With the well-known Chinese five-spice mix at its core, khai phalo is a Chinese-inspired Thai egg stew consisting of shelled, hard-boiled eggs cooked in a soy sauce-based broth, along with vegetables or meat, usually chicken wings or pork, coriander seeds, chicken stock, palm sugar, and seasonings.
The stewing process gives the egg whites a characteristic brownish color and a unique fragrance. Pieces of tofu or mushrooms are often added to this dish during cooking. This sweet-flavored dish is typically consumed hot, accompanied by steamed jasmine rice or sticky rice, Thai curries, or a variety of spicy dishes.