I am new to Thai curry. Is massaman a good one to try?
It is worth choosing if you want to begin with a relatively mild curry. But the heat and the spice flavour differ from shop to shop, so ask about the spice level when you order.
Massaman Curry
Massaman Curry · แกงมัสมั่น
Try massaman curry, with the aroma 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 notice a different aroma from green curry. It is known as a relatively mild curry, but the heat differs from shop to shop.
Massaman curry, Bang Kapi, Bangkok · Vee Satayamas · CC BY-SA 4.0
Resized for display · Photo provided under CC BY-SA 4.0
What does it taste like?
The aroma of spices such as cinnamon, cardamom and clove soaks into the curry. If you eat it next to green curry, where herbs stand out, you can easily feel the difference between the two. Eat the rich sauce with rice, a little at a time.
A relatively mild curry does not mean it has no heat.
Dish basics
- Dish name
- Massaman Curry · Massaman Curry
- Thai name
- แกงมัสมั่น
- Type
- Soups and curries
- Region
- Central · A signature Thai curry
- Main ingredients
- Flavoured with several spices such as cinnamon, cardamom and clove. The actual ingredients, such as meat and nuts, depend on the menu item you order.
The dish and its region
Massaman is one of Thailand's signature curries and is also introduced in guides to central food culture. It is not a dish eaten only in one city. If Thai curry is new to you, start with massaman, and when you become curious about the flavour of herbs and chilli, try green curry too.
How to order and eat it
- Choose a menu item with the meat you want. It also helps to see whether rice to eat with the curry is included.
- Take a little curry first and then have it with rice. Put the rich sauce and the meat on the rice together.
- If you cannot eat nuts or a particular spice, tell the staff before you order. Even a relatively mild curry can have heat.
Frequently asked questions
Is every massaman halal?
You cannot decide whether a dish is halal from its name alone. Please check the meat and seasonings used, along with the restaurant's certification.
More dishes and cities to explore
Official sources and references
If you want to read more about these dishes and regions, these sources are a good place to start. Ingredients and cooking methods can differ from one eatery to another.
Sharing image credit: Vee Satayamas · CC BY-SA 4.0