Massaman Curry · แกงมัสมั่น
Try massaman curry, with the scent of cinnamon and cardamom. It is a rich curry flavoured with several spices, good to eat slowly with rice. It also suits anyone who wants to taste a different aroma from green curry. It is known as a relatively mild curry, but the heat differs from place to place.
The aroma of spices such as cinnamon, cardamom and cloves runs through the curry. Eating it beside a green curry, where herbs stand out, makes the difference between the two easy to taste. Have the rich sauce with your rice a little at a time.
A relatively mild curry does not mean it has no heat.
Massaman is one of Thailand’s signature curries and is also introduced in the guide to central Thai food culture. It is not eaten only in one city. If you are new to Thai curry, start with massaman, then try green curry when you become curious about the taste of herbs and chilli.
It is worth considering if you would like to begin with a relatively mild curry. But the heat and the taste of the spices differ from place to place, so it helps to ask about the spice level when you order.
You cannot decide whether a dish is halal from its name. Check the meat and seasonings used, and the restaurant’s certification.
If you would like to read more about the food and the regions behind it, these sources are worth a look. Ingredients and cooking methods can vary from one cook to the next.
Sharing image credit: Vee Satayamas · CC BY-SA 4.0
