Galangal is known as laos in Indonesia, ka or kha in Thailand, and lengkaus in Malaysia. A member of the ginger family, this root looks like ginger, but ginger may not be substituted for it. Iranian and Southeast Asian cooking take advantage of galangal's very particular flavor, especially in soups and curries. During the Middle Ages in Europe, it was known as an aphrodisiac. In Thailand, it is still used as a remedy for stomach problems, as well as a flavoring.