Thai curry, called kaeng in Thai, differs from typical Indian curry in that it's made with coconut milk. When you combine coconut milk with fresh herbs and spices, the result is a fragrant, intensely flavored dish. Thai curry almost always has some meat or poultry in it and is served with rice. You can also order Thai curry with tofu, but vegetarians should be aware that Thai curry universally contains shrimp paste and fish sauce. Here are some of the most popular Thai curry dishes here in Thailand. If you want to make them at home, click through for recipes.
1. Penang Curry
photo copyright D.Schmidt
Penang curry is probably the most popular curry in Thailand and most visitors who try it here quickly consider it a favorite dish. Penang curry is less spicy and a little sweeter than most other Thai curries but it's just as fragrant and satisfying.
2. Red Beef Curry
photo copyright D. Schmidt
Red curry is the most basic Thai curry available. It's not boring, just less complicated by competing spices, so the chili and coconut flavors really shine through.
3. Green Curry
photo copyright D.Schmidt
Green curry is one of Thailand's most interesting and, for those not accustomed to Thai flavors, unexpected curries. The base flavors, in addition to the coconut milk and chilies, come from a combination of fresh cilantro and fresh basil and Thai green curry is a little sweeter than most other Thai curries (it's called kaeng keow wan in Thai, which means sweet green curry). You can eat it with rice but it is best served with fresh roti.
4. Massaman Curry
photo copyright D.Schmidt
Massaman curry is a southern Thai curry and though it's less popular than red and green curries, when made well it is amazing. The addition of cinnamon and cardamon gives Massaman curry an aromatic and somewhat Indian flavor, though it's not clear how the dish made it into Thai cuisine.
