If you plan to join the ranks of the 38 million tourists who visited Thailand during 2019, your mouth is probably watering in anticipation of the delicious cuisine that awaits.
One of the dishes that should be at the top of your list for your visit is Thai curry. Prepare yourself with this basic guide to the five types of Thai curries.
1. Green Curry
This Green Curry is one of the best Thai curries if you like hot, spicy food. It’s creamy, fiery, and delicious, deriving its heat from a generous amount of green chilies.
The paste used as a base for Kaeng Khiao Wan consists of cilantro, cumin, shallots, galangal, lemongrass, garlic, kaffir lime, shrimp paste, and lots of green chilies.
2. Red Curry
Kaeng Phet is as spicy as they come, bursting with the flavor of both fresh and dried red chillis. The other ingredients in this curry paste are:
- Ground coriander
- Peppercorns
- Garlic
- Lemongrass
- Galangal
- Kaffir lime
- Shallot
Thanks to the red chilies, you can expect a little sting when you eat this curry too.
3. Yellow Curry
The Kingdom of Siam is the only country in Southeast Asia that was never colonized by the Europeans. Yet, the British did have some influence over Thai cuisine during their domination of Asia during the 19th century.
In Thailand, the result of this was yellow curry. It’s made from a paste consisting of dried spices like coriander, turmeric, fenugreek, cumin, garlic, bay leaves, cayenne pepper, cinnamon, and salt.
Sound appealing? Head over to our menu if you’d like to try some right now.
4. Panang Curry
Another foreign import, Panang curry originated in Laos. Today, the salty, sweet, peanut flavors of this thick curry are wildly popular amongst tourists and locals alike.
The dish owes its taste to a paste made of coriander root and seeds, galangal, cumin, and garlic. Many chefs add a few small touches of their own to put a unique spin on their version of this dish.
Traditionally, coconut milk is the only liquid used in this dish.
5. Massaman Curry
Massaman curry has an Islamic influence and originated in central Thailand during the 17th century.
It has a unique flavor among Thai curries, thanks to several unique ingredients. These include cardamom, cloves, star anise, bay leaves, white pepper, and cinnamon.
Massaman curry also features cinnamon and cloves, as well as more traditional ingredients like lemongrass, galangal, and coconut milk.
The Best Thai Curries to Try
Some of the most popular version of these curries include:
- Thai green and red curry with shrimp or chicken
- Panang curry with beef
- Massaman curry with beef
Vegetarians can enjoy Golden Vegetable Curry, which is yellow curry with tofu, eggplant, potato, or pumpkin.
The best part is that you don’t need to leave your home to enjoy Thai curries. You can get to try all the best authentic Thai foods by ordering online from Thai Ginger. For a real treat, pop into one of our restaurants, we’d love to meet you.
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FAQs
Green curry is considered the most popular curry. With coconut milk as one of the main ingredients, there is a hint of sweet flavoring as well. Because the green curry paste is made with green chilis, it is far hotter than other curries.
What is the most flavorful Thai curry? ›
Green curry is considered the most popular curry. With coconut milk as one of the main ingredients, there is a hint of sweet flavoring as well. Because the green curry paste is made with green chilis, it is far hotter than other curries.
What are the four types of Thai curry? ›
If you ask most fans of Thai food in the West what their favorite curries are, they'll probably rattle off a list pretty quickly—red, yellow, green, massaman, panang—because they're so ubiquitous that they've become as familiar as pho or sushi.
Which Thai curry is the healthiest? ›
People love green curry because of the gentle balance of heat, sweet, and acid from the chiles, lime, and fresh herbs. Green curry is great with chicken and shrimp because it offers a punch of seasoning to the protein. The long list of herbs also makes green curry one of the healthiest Thai cuisine dishes.
Does Thai food use a lot of ginger? ›
Ginger is in the same family as turmeric and galangal – all of which are used widely in Thai cuisine. It's got a hot, sweetly spicy flavour and is supposed to have lots of health benefits.
What is the most famous curry in Thailand? ›
Green curry is considered the most popular curry in Thai cuisine. The green color of Thai green curry sauce has become more vibrant over the years with the addition of fresh coriander (cilantro), makrut lime leaf and peel, and basil.
Which Thai curry is creamiest? ›
Thai massaman
It's popular in central and southern Thailand, and is usually topped off with potatoes and peanuts. This Thai curry is relatively mild in flavour, but I love how rich and creamy it is.
What is the secret to good Thai curry? ›
The secret to making amazing Thai curries is to use plenty of aromatics, like onion, ginger and garlic.
What is the least spicy Thai curry? ›
Kaeng Kari or yellow curry contains cinnamon, mace, garlic, salt, lemongrass, fenugreek, turmeric, coriander, cumin, bay leaf, cayenne pepper, and ginger. It is the mildest among the Thai curries because the chili is lesser than red and green curry.
Is massaman or Panang curry better? ›
If you like your curry spicy, with a strong flavor and a hint of sweetness, then panang curry is the way to go. If you prefer a mildly spicy curry with sweet, savory, and sour notes, then massaman curry is a better choice. Massaman is perfect for you if you enjoy beef stews and comfort foods.
Any Indian curries that are tomato-based, like tandoori, madras, jalfrezi, rogan and bhuna, are the lowest in calories. They average around 200-300 calories. If you want an even healthier option, consider a sauce-free dish like fish tikka (which is only 180 calories).
Is Thai food healthier than Chinese food? ›
Thai food is often healthier than Chinese food. Thai food puts a focus on balance and variety. They are often light and the aromas are just as important as the taste of the food. Thai food uses less heavy sauces and oils than Chinese food uses that are healthier for you, if any oil at all.
Is Thai curry junk food? ›
For one, Thai meals often feature a good balance of macronutrients — protein, fats, and carbs. Curries, stir-fries, and soups are made with a variety of vegetables, include a protein source like tofu, lean meat, or seafood, and contain coconut milk, peanut sauces, or other fat.
What is Thai ginger called? ›
Galangal is also know as Thai ginger or Siamese ginger (because it resembles fresh ginger so much), but it really is its own ingredient. It's commonly found in Thai, Indonesian, and Malaysian cooking. The skin of galangal is smoother and paler than ginger and its flesh is much harder.
What Thai spice is similar to ginger? ›
Galangal (Kha)
And when it comes to the perfect herbs and spices for Thai dishes, everything's better with galangal. This root plant has a similar flavor to ginger because the two herbs are related, and yet galangal offers a much mild yet complex flavor.
What can I use instead of ginger in Thai curry? ›
Allspice, Turmeric, Cardamom, Cinnamon, Nutmeg, or Mace. Of course, none of these spices really tastes like ginger. Instead, think of them as alternatives rather than direct substitutes: In a recipe that calls for ground ginger, you can substitute the same amount of any of these spices—or a mixture of them.
What is the most flavourful curry? ›
If you're looking for a flavor-rich curry, try the Goan curry. This dish is made with chicken or shrimp and is usually served with rice and naan bread. It's a popular option at restaurants across the country, and it's worth trying if you're in the mood for something different.
Which is the tastiest curry in the world? ›
No surprise then that the TasteAtlas guide has listed the 10 best curries in the world.
- 01 ⸻ 10. Panang curry. (c) shutterstock.
- 02 ⸻ 10. Malai kofta. (c) shutterstock.
- 03 ⸻ 10. Japanese karī (c) shutterstock.
- 04 ⸻ 10. Khao Soy soup. ...
- 05 ⸻ 10. Shahi paneer. ...
- 06 ⸻ 10. Butter chicken. ...
- 07 ⸻ 10. Green curry. ...
- 08 ⸻ 10. Massaman curry.
Most restaurants will ask how spicy you want your curry; start with mild or medium if you're new to the cuisine! Panang curry is thick, rich, and less soupy than red or green curries, since it uses a little less coconut milk and adds in coconut cream.
Which is better, Thai red or green curry? ›
The preference of Thai red curry or green curry depends on personal taste. Some people might prefer the spicier and bolder taste of red curry, while others might enjoy the more herbal and fragrant flavor of green curry. Both are delicious in their own ways, and it's worth trying both to see which one you like better.
