Different Types of Thai Curry Dishes
Thai curry dishes usually use the spicy sauce and paste to provide flavor to the food. When we think of spicy sauce or paste, we usually think of curry paste. Thais use curry paste to flavor different dishes; from vegetables to seafood. Curry paste, coconut milk or water, meat, seafood, vegetables or fruit, and herbs make a Thai Curry dish complete. In the West, Thai curries are called “Kaeng” or “Gaeng”.
- Gaeng Daeng (Red Curry)
This authentic spicy coconut milk based red curry uses homemade red curry paste. Flavored with both fresh and dried spices, kaffir lime leaves and fresh sweet basil leaves it is a harmonious dish with chicken. Finish the cooking with the addition of Fish sauce to taste and serve with steamed jasmine rice.
Meat, added to curry paste and coconut milk, is flavored by spices such as chili peppers, fish sauce, garlic or other herbs. Thai Red Curry’s main ingredient may vary to shrimp, pork, chicken, duck, or even tofu. Often served with steamed rice or bread, this colorful dish with delicious aroma is empowered with amazement with each spoon.
- Gaeng Keow Wan Kai
The name “green” curry derives from the color of the dish, which comes from green chilies. The “sweet” in the Thai name (wan means “sweet”) refers to the particular color green itself and not to the taste of the curry. As this is a Thai curry based on coconut milk and fresh green chilies, the color comes out creamy mild green or, as this color is called in Thai, “sweet green”. Its ingredients are not exactly fixed.
Green curry paste mixed with hot creamy coconut milk, mixed with some vegetables and sweet basil, this dish with chicken meat as the main ingredient, is a perfect mix to eat with fragrant Thai rice.
- Kaeng Kari
Kaeng Kari is one of the milder Thai curries. It contains more of the dried spices typical of South Asian or Middle Eastern cuisines than the fresh and/or dried chilies that are typical of more traditional Thai curries. Most Thai kids love this curry as it’s not hot at all.
Varying types of vegetables with chili peppers and fish sauce, mixed with coconut milk, and stir-fried chicken as the main ingredient, becomes wonderful when mixed to yellow curry. Kaeng Kari has a tinge of sweet and salty but has an attack of spice.
- Kaeng Som
Kaeng Som in Thai means sour curry or sour soup. It is a standard dish, something that’s available at all southern Thai restaurants, and cooked at home.
When you go to a southern Thai restaurant, it’s a dish that is always available, sometimes in a couple of different variations.
Southern Thai Sour Curry is sweet and sour soup with vegetable, popular in central and southern Thailand. The sour taste comes from tamarind and sweetened with palm sugar. Variants are fish or shrimp with basic ingredient, mixed with curry paste and vegetables.
Everyone, say Aroi Mak Mak! (That’s Thai for “Deeeeelicious!”)
Thai cuisine is celebrated worldwide for its intense flavors, aromatic spices, and the delicate balance of its dishes. Thai curry, in particular, stands as a pillar of this culinary tradition, offering a spectrum of flavors that range from fiery hot to subtly sweet, each dish telling a story of regional ingredients and cultural influences. Here, we delve deeper into the diverse world of Thai curries, expanding on the classic varieties and introducing others that contribute to the rich tapestry of Thai cuisine.
5. Gaeng Massaman (Massaman Curry)
Massaman curry is a unique Thai curry that reflects the influence of Persian and Indian cuisine on Thai cooking. This rich, slightly sweet curry is made with Massaman curry paste, coconut milk, meat (usually beef, chicken, or lamb), potatoes, and a distinctive combination of spices including cinnamon, star anise, cardamom, and cloves. Peanuts are often added for an extra layer of texture and flavor. Massaman curry is less spicy than other Thai curries and is beloved for its complex taste and comforting, hearty nature.
6. Gaeng Panang (Panang Curry)
Panang curry, also spelled Phanaeng or Penang, is a type of Thai curry that is thicker and sweeter than other Thai curries, with a creamy texture and a mild level of spiciness. It is made with Panang curry paste, coconut cream, meat (commonly beef, chicken, or pork), and kaffir lime leaves, which add a distinctive citrusy aroma. Peanuts or ground peanut paste is also added to the curry, giving it a nutty flavor and thicker consistency. Panang curry is often garnished with thinly sliced kaffir lime leaves and served with steamed jasmine rice.
7. Gaeng Ped (Duck Curry)
Duck curry is a sumptuous Thai dish that combines tender duck meat with the spicy and aromatic flavors of red curry paste. Enhanced with coconut milk, pineapple chunks, tomatoes, and lychee, this curry offers a delightful mix of sweet and savory notes, with the richness of the duck beautifully complementing the spice of the curry. Fresh basil leaves are often added just before serving, lending the dish an additional layer of fragrance. Duck curry is a luxurious option for those looking to explore the depth of Thai curries beyond the more common chicken or beef versions.
8. Gaeng Jued (Clear Soup Curry)
Though not as internationally renowned as its coconut milk-based counterparts, Gaeng Jued stands out for its simplicity and subtleness. This clear soup curry is made with a light broth, seasoned with soy sauce, garlic, and pepper, and filled with an assortment of vegetables, glass noodles, and protein options like tofu, ground pork, or chicken. Gaeng Jued is a testament to the Thai culinary philosophy of balance, offering a refreshing counterpoint to the rich and robust flavors typical of other Thai curries.
Each Thai curry dish, from the creamy and comforting Massaman to the light and refreshing Gaeng Jued, represents a facet of Thailand’s culinary heritage. The diversity in ingredients, preparation methods, and regional influences make Thai curry a fascinating subject for exploration. Whether you’re dining at Yummy Thai in Flower Mound, Texas, or experimenting with Thai cooking at home, the world of Thai curry dishes promises a delightful and delicious journey. So, immerse yourself in the vibrant flavors of Thailand and, as you savor each bite, join in saying “Aroi Mak Mak!” to celebrate the sheer deliciousness of Thai cuisine.
If you want to try The Best Thai Restaurant in Flower Mound come visit us at Yummy Thai in Flower mound Texas.
