View source for Thai curry

{{short description|Dishes in Thai cuisine made with curry paste}}
{{Infobox food
| image            = Red roast duck curry.jpg
| image_size       = 250px
| caption          = A bowl of {{Transliteration|th|kaeng phet pet yang}}, roast duck in red curry
| alternate_name   = 
| country          = [[Thailand]]
| region           = 
| creator          = 
| course           = 
| type             = [[Curry]]
| served           = 
| main_ingredient  = {{hlist|[[Curry paste]]|[[coconut milk]] or water|[[meat]]|[[seafood]]|[[vegetable]]s or [[fruit]]|[[herb]]s}}
| variations       = 
| calories         = 
| other            = 
}}

'''Thai curry''' ({{langx|th|แกง|translit=kaeng}}, {{IPA|th|kɛ̄ːŋ|pron}}) is a dish in [[Thai cuisine]] made from [[Thai curry paste|curry paste]], [[coconut milk]] or water, meat, seafood, vegetables or fruit, and herbs. [[Curry|Curries]] in Thailand mainly differ from the [[Indian subcontinent]] in their use of ingredients such as fresh rhizomes, herbs, and aromatic leaves rather than a  [[Masala (spice)|mix of dried spices]].

==Definition==
[[File:Vatch kaeng phet.jpg|thumb|Some of the fresh ingredients for red curry paste]]
The first Thai dictionary from 1873 [[Common era|CE]] (2416 in the [[Thai lunar calendar|Thai Buddhist calendar]]) defines ''kaeng'' as a watery dish to be eaten with rice and utilizing [[shrimp paste]], onions or shallots, [[chili pepper|chillies]], and garlic as essential ingredients.<ref name="thaicooking.nationmultimedia.com">{{cite web|url=http://thaicooking.nationmultimedia.com/?p=1382|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110222025343/http://thaicooking.nationmultimedia.com/?p=1382|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 22, 2011|title=Thai cooking, food thai, Thai menu, pad thai recipe}}</ref> Coconut milk is not included in this definition and many Thai curries, such as {{Transliteration|th|[[kaeng som]]}} and {{Transliteration|th|[[kaeng pa]]}}, do not feature it. Curries in [[Lanna]] (northern Thai) cuisine, with only a few exceptions, do not use coconut milk due to coconut palms not growing well, if at all, in the climate of the [[Thai highlands]]. The [[Piquance|spiciness]] of Thai curries depends on the amount and kind of chilli used in the making of the paste. Even within one type of curry the spiciness can differ widely.

The word "curry" figures in the [[Thai language]] as ''"kari"'' ({{langx|th|กะหรี่}}), and refers to dishes using either an Indian-style [[curry powder]], known as ''phong kari'' in Thailand, or to the dish called ''kaeng kari'', an Indian-influenced curry that is made with spices that are common to Indian dishes but less often used in these proportions in Thai cuisine. ''Kung phat phong kari'' (prawns fried with egg and curry powder) is an example of a dish using the [[Indian cuisine|Indian]] style curry powder.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thaifoodmaster.com/recipes/main_dish_recipes/42 |title=Stir Fried Prawns with Curry Powder and Eggs Recipe |work=Thaifoodmaster |date=18 May 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100309200917/http://www.thaifoodmaster.com/recipes/main_dish_recipes/42 |archive-date=9 March 2010}}</ref>

Although {{Transliteration|th|"kaeng"}} is also defined as being of "watery" substance, the thickness of the sauce can vary considerably from [[broth]]-like to that of a thick [[stew]], and it can even be a completely dry dish. Representatives of dry curries, dishes which are (stir-)fried with a curry paste, are {{Transliteration|th|[[phat phrik khing]]}} and {{Transliteration|th|[[khua kling]]}}.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eatingthaifood.com/2011/12/food-photo-flavor-packed-thai-dry-curry-kua-kling/|title=Food Photo: Flavor Packed Thai Dry Curry (Kua Kling)|author=Mark Wiens|work=Thai Street Food, Restaurants, and Recipes - Eating Thai Food}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://spacesandspices-dorrie.blogspot.com/2011/11/khua-kling-ein-trockenes-thai-curry-dry.html|title=Spaces and Spices|date=24 November 2011}}</ref> {{Transliteration|th|Kaeng som}} and {{Transliteration|th|keang pa}} are representatives of the more broth-like curries. {{Transliteration|th|Matsaman}} and {{Transliteration|th|kaeng khua}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bangkokpost.com/food/features/275198/dishes-the-march-of-time-passed-by|title=Bangkok Post : The world windows to Thailand}}</ref> resemble stews. {{Transliteration|th|[[Ho mok]] pla}} (a [[steamed curry|steamed]] fish curry), {{Transliteration|th|kaeng kradang}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://library.cmu.ac.th/ntic/en_lannafood/detail_lannafood.php?id_food=21|title=Kaeng kradang (jelly pork curry) - Lanna Food - Northern Thai Information Center, Chiang Mai University Library}}</ref> (curry [[aspic]] from northern Thailand) and noodle dishes such as {{Transliteration|th|[[khanom chin]] [[nam ngiao]]}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://library.cmu.ac.th/ntic/en_lannafood/detail_lannafood.php?id_food=71|title=Lanna Food - Northern Thai Information Center, Chiang Mai University Library}}</ref> are also seen as Thai curry dishes as they all use curry pastes in their preparation.

The dish called {{Transliteration|th|kaeng chuet}} is an exception to the rule that a {{Transliteration|th|kaeng}} should contain chillies, garlic, onions and shrimp paste. It is a clear Chinese-style meat and/or vegetable broth with mixed vegetables and often also minced pork, [[tofu]] and [[Cellophane noodles|glass noodles]]. The name translates as "bland curry" but it is seen as being a ''tom'', a soup, and it is therefore also often called ''tom chuet''.<ref name="thaicooking.nationmultimedia.com"/>

Curries are eaten in combination with rice, the long-grained [[jasmine rice]] in [[central Thailand|central]] and [[southern Thailand]] and [[glutinous rice|sticky rice]] in [[northern Thailand|northern]] and [[Isan|northeastern Thailand]], and with noodles such as {{Transliteration|th|[[khanom chin]]}} (fermented rice noodles). Certain curries can also be eaten with ''roti'', the Thai version of the Indian-style fried [[flatbread|flat bread]] from [[Malaysia]] called {{Transliteration|th|[[roti canai]]}}.

[[Khao kaeng]] or {{Transliteration|th|khao rat kaeng}}, meaning "curry-on-rice", is a traditional type of [[fast food]] restaurant in Thailand which specialises in ready-made curries, and often several other dishes as well, served with rice. Their popularity in [[Bangkok]] as a place for a quick lunchtime meal is in decline.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nationmultimedia.com/home/MCDANG-Hungry-for-Thai-noodles-49424.html|title=MCDANG: Hungry for Thai noodles|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130618035934/http://www.nationmultimedia.com/home/MCDANG-Hungry-for-Thai-noodles-49424.html|archive-date=2013-06-18}}</ref>

==Typical ingredients==
[[File:Green curry ingredients.jpg|thumb|Ingredients for green curry]]

===Curry paste===
[[File:Curry pastes Thailand (cropped).JPG|thumb|Red, green and yellow Thai curry pastes]]
[[File:HAT YAI MARKET 2.jpg|thumb|Different types of Thai curry pastes for sale at a market in [[Hat Yai]], in southern Thailand]]
Thai curries are always made with a [[curry paste]]. Common ingredients used in many Thai curry pastes are:
*[[Shrimp paste]]
*[[Chili pepper|Chillies]]; depending on the curry these can be dried or fresh, red or green
*[[Onion]]s or [[shallot]]s
*[[Garlic]]
*[[Lemongrass]]
*[[Galangal]]
*[[Coriander]] (cilantro) root

Depending on the type of curry, additional ingredients for the paste can include spices such as [[turmeric]], [[Black pepper|pepper]], coriander seeds, [[cardamom]] pods, and [[cumin]], or other ingredients such as boiled fermented fish,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://library.cmu.ac.th/ntic/en_lannafood/detail_lannafood.php?id_food=48|title=Kaeng marum - Lanna Food - Northern Thai Information Center, Chiang Mai University Library}}</ref> and [[Boesenbergia rotunda|fingerroot]].
Ingredients are traditionally ground together with a [[mortar and pestle]], though increasingly with an electric [[food processor]]. With many curries, the paste is first stir-fried in [[cooking oil]] before other components are added in to the dish. This allows certain flavours in the spices and other ingredients in the paste to develop that cannot be released at the lower temperature of boiling water.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/thaimonkfishandokrac_83780|title=BBC - Food - Recipes : Thai monkfish and okra curry|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111212012429/http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/thaimonkfishandokrac_83780|archive-date=2011-12-12}}</ref>

Both ''khrueang kaeng'' ({{lit|''kaeng'' ingredients}}) and ''[[nam phrik]] kaeng'' ({{lit|''kaeng'' chilli paste}}) are used to describe "curry paste" in Thailand. The latter is sometimes even shortened to only ''phrik kaeng'' ({{lit|''kaeng'' chilli}}).

Thai curry pastes can be made at home from the bare ingredients, bought freshly made at markets in Thailand, or they can be had packaged at shops and supermarkets.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.shesimmers.com/2010/06/easy-thai-green-curry-recipe-interview.html|title=Easy Thai Green Curry, an Interview with Kasma Loha-unchit}}</ref>

===Main ingredients===
Most Thai curries are made with meat, fish or [[shellfish]] as their main ingredient. Vegetables and fruit, but also certain tree leaves such as from the ''[[Acacia pennata]]'' (''cha-om'') and the ''[[Ficus virens]]'' (''phak lueat''), and flowers such as those of the ''[[Sesbania grandiflora]]'' (''dok khae'')<ref>{{cite news|last=Sukphisit|first=Suthon|date=15 January 2012|url=https://www.bangkokpost.com/life/social-and-lifestyle/275198/dishes-the-march-of-time-passed-by|title=Dishes the march of time passed by|newspaper=[[Bangkok Post]]}}</ref> and [[banana]] (''hua pli''),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://library.cmu.ac.th/ntic/en_lannafood/detail_lannafood.php?id_food=26|title=Kaeng pli (banana flower) - Lanna Food - Northern Thai Information Center, Chiang Mai University Library}}</ref> can be added. Curries that contain mainly vegetables are, for example, ''kaeng liang'' (mixed vegetables)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.shesimmers.com/2011/08/spicy-thai-mixed-vegetable-soup-kaeng.html|title=Thai Spicy Mixed Vegetable Soup - Kaeng Liang (แกงเลียง) - SheSimmers|author=Leela|date=16 August 2011}}</ref> and ''kaeng nomai'' ([[bamboo shoot]]s).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://library.cmu.ac.th/ntic/en_lannafood/detail_lannafood.php?id_food=54|title=Kaeng nomai (bamboo shoots) - Lanna Food - Northern Thai Information Center, Chiang Mai University Library}}</ref> Ingredients were dictated by regional and seasonal availability: both [[Domestic pigs|pork]] and [[chicken]] (possibly first domesticated from wild [[Gallus gallus|jungle fowl]] in what is now Thailand)<ref name=oneMatriarch>{{citation|title=One subspecies of the red junglefowl (Gallus gallus gallus) suffices as the matriarchic ancestor of all domestic breeds |first1=A |last1=Fumihito |first2=T |last2=Miyake|first3=S |last3=Sumi|first4=M |last4=Takada |first5=S |last5=Ohno|first6=N |last6=Kondo|journal=PNAS |date=December 20, 1994 |volume=91 |number=26  |pages=12505–12509 |doi=10.1073/pnas.91.26.12505|pmc=45467 |pmid=7809067|bibcode=1994PNAS...9112505F |doi-access=free }}</ref> are easily available, and so are many varieties of fish, and shellfish, both fresh water species from the many rivers, lakes and rice paddies, as well as salt water species from the [[Andaman Sea]] and the [[Gulf of Thailand]]. Other traditional ingredients in Thai curries include [[frog]]s, [[snake]]s, [[snail]]s, [[bird|wild birds]] and [[Game (food)|game]] such as [[Sambar (deer)|Sambar deer]] and [[wild boar]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art175700.asp|title=Thai Jungle Curry Paste|access-date=1 July 2017}}</ref> Commonly used vegetables in curries are [[Thai eggplant]] (''makhuea pro''), [[Vigna unguiculata subsp. sesquipedalis|yardlong beans]] (''thua fak yao''), and different types of [[Squash (plant)|squash]] and [[pumpkin]]s (''fak'').

===Additional ingredients===
Fresh [[kaffir lime]] leaves (''bai makrut''), [[fingerroot]] (''krachai''), or fresh herbs such as [[Thai basil]] (''horapa'') are often added to Thai curries. Kaffir lime leaves and ''krachai'' are often cooked along with the other ingredients but fresh herbs such as Thai basil are nearly always added at the last moment to preserve the full taste and serve as a contrasting note to the flavours of a curry. [[Fish sauce]] is not only used when cooking the curry as a flavouring and for its salty taste, but it is usually also available at the table as a [[condiment]], mixed together with sliced green [[bird's-eye chilli]]es for those that prefer their curries more salty and spicy.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.shesimmers.com/2010/02/nampla-prik-ubiquitous-thai-table-sauce.html|title=Nam Pla Prik น้ำปลาพริก - The Ubiquitous Thai Table Sauce|date=16 February 2010}}</ref> Sugar (traditionally [[palm sugar]]) is used with curries that need to be sweetened. Besides lime juice, [[tamarind]] juice can also see use in sour curries as the souring agent such as in ''kaeng som''. To achieve the most fragrance from the ingredients in a curry paste, the curry paste is often first fried together with vegetable oil or coconut oil that has separated from the [[coconut cream]], before adding in the other ingredients.

==Popular Thai curries==
[[File:แกงรัญจวน บ้านยาหอม.jpg|thumb|''[[Kaeng ranjuan]]'']]
*[[Yellow curry|{{Transliteration|th|Kaeng kari}}]] ({{lit|{{-"}}curry" curry}}, it is known as "[[yellow curry]]" in the West)
*{{Transliteration|th|[[Kaeng khae]]}}, a curry of northern Thai cuisine
*[[green curry|{{Transliteration|th|Kaeng khiao wan}}]] ({{lit|green sweet curry}}, it is known as "[[green curry]]" in the West)
*{{Transliteration|th|[[Kaeng pa]]}} ({{lit|jungle curry}}, in addition to the curry paste, it uses whatever is available in nature)
*[[red curry|{{Transliteration|th|Kaeng phet}}]] ({{lit|[[Piquance|spicy]] curry}}, it is known as "[[red curry]]" in the West)
*{{Transliteration|th|[[Kaeng som]]}} ({{lit|orange curry}}, every region has its own variety)
*{{Transliteration|th|[[Massaman curry|Kaeng matsaman]]}} ({{lit|Muslim curry}}; the name {{Transliteration|th|matsaman}} is supposedly derived from "[[mosalman]]", an [[Archaism|archaic]] word for "Muslim")<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.shesimmers.com/2010/07/massaman-curry-recipe.html |title=Massaman (Matsaman) Curry Recipe (แกงมัสมั่น) &#124; Thai Food by SheSimmers |access-date=2012-05-14 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120511222718/http://www.shesimmers.com/2010/07/massaman-curry-recipe.html |archive-date=2012-05-11 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.worldplatter.com/viewbeyondthefood.php?id=5|title=Worldplatter|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130209212920/http://www.worldplatter.com/viewbeyondthefood.php?id=5|archive-date=2013-02-09}}</ref>
*''[[Kaeng ranjuan]]'' (a leftover food with spicy, sour, sweet, and salty beef curry seasoned with no more than fermented shrimp paste chili sauce)
*{{Transliteration|th|[[Khao soi]]}} (a [[Burmese cuisine|Burmese]]-influenced curry [[noodle soup]] from northern Thailand)
*{{Transliteration|th|[[Phanaeng curry|Phanaeng]]}} (the name possibly refers to the [[Malaysia]]n island state of [[Penang]]; this is a creamy and generally mild curry)
*{{Transliteration|th|[[Phat phrik khing]]}} ({{lit|stir-fried chilli ginger}}, this Thai curry actually does not contain [[ginger]])

==Gallery==
<gallery mode="packed">
File:Curry paste fried with coco cream.JPG|''Phanaeng'' paste is fried together with [[coconut cream]]
File:Kaeng phak lueat.JPG|''Kaeng phak lueat'', a northern Thai curry with ficus leaves
File:Thai style Otah.JPG|''Ho mok pla'', steamed fish curry
File:Khua kling.JPG|''Khua kling'', an extremely spicy, dry fried curry from southern Thailand
File:2014 1204 Khao Soi in Chiang Mai.jpg|''Khao soi'', a curry [[noodle soup]] from northern Thailand
File:Kaeng kradang.jpg|''Kaeng kradang'', a pork curry [[aspic]]
File:Tom jued tahoo.jpg|''Kaeng chuet'', the curry that isn't curry, but actually a soup.
File:Kaeng tai pla34.JPG|''[[Kaeng tai pla]]'', made from fermented fish entrails
File:Thai Seafood Curry.jpg|A seafood curry in the United States inspired by the flavors of Thai cuisine
File:แกงฮังเล ที่ หลู้ลำ.jpg|''[[Kaeng hang le]]'', a northern Thai curry with Burmese influences
</gallery>

==See also==
{{Portal bar|Thailand|Food}}
* [[List of Thai dishes#Curries|Curries]] in [[List of Thai dishes]]''
* ''[[Kroeung]]''
* ''[[Gulai]]''

==Sources and references==
{{reflist}}

==Further reading==
* [https://books.google.com/books?id=57LYKwAACAAJ Vatcharin Bhumichitr: The Big Book of Thai Curries]

==External links==
{{commons category-inline}}
* [http://www.templeofthai.com/cooking/about_thai_curry.php Templeofthai.com: About Thai curry]
* [http://highheelgourmet.com/2013/03/23/curry_paste_/ highheelgourmet.com: Thai curry paste and ingredients that don't belong in them]

{{Cuisine of Thailand}}

[[Category:Thai curries| ]]