Galangal is a spice from Indonesia that looks very much like ginger. Galangal is used primarily in Thai, Indonesian and Vietnamese cuisine, in soups and curries. Although it resembles ginger (and is related to it), it tastes completely different - it has a citrus-pepper flavor, spicier than ginger and does not have its warming properties. In Thailand, Tom Ka and Tom Yum Kung soups are very popular - chili paste with lemongrass and galangal.