I'm new to Thai curry. Is massaman a good choice?
It is worth a try if you want to start with a comparatively mild curry. The heat and the spice flavors vary by restaurant, so it helps to ask about the heat when you order.
Massaman Curry
Massaman Curry · แกงมัสมั่น
Try massaman curry, scented with cinnamon and cardamom. It is a rich curry flavored with several spices, a dish to eat slowly with rice. It also suits anyone who wants a different aroma from green curry. It is known as a comparatively mild curry, but the heat level differs from restaurant to restaurant.
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 runs through the curry. Eating it side by side with green curry, where the herbs stand out, makes the difference between the two easy to taste. Eat the thick sauce with rice a little at a time.
A comparatively mild curry does not mean it has no heat.
Dish basics
- Dish name
- Massaman Curry · Massaman Curry
- Thai name
- แกงมัสมั่น
- Type
- Soups & curries
- Region
- Central Thailand · A signature Thai curry
- Key ingredients
- Flavored with several spices, including cinnamon, cardamom and clove. The actual ingredients, such as meat and nuts, depend on the menu item you order.
The dish and where it comes from
Massaman is one of Thailand's signature curries and is introduced in guides to Central Thai 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 get curious about the flavor of herbs and chilies, try green curry too.
How to order and eat it
- Pick a menu item with the meat you want. It also helps to check whether rice comes with the curry.
- Taste a little curry first, then eat it with rice. Spoon some of the thick sauce and meat over the rice together.
- If you cannot eat nuts or a particular spice, tell the staff before you order. Even a comparatively mild curry can have some heat.
Frequently asked questions
Is all massaman halal?
You cannot tell from the name of a dish whether it is halal. Check the meat and seasonings used, and the restaurant's certification.
More dishes and cities to explore
Official sources and references
If you want to read more about the food and the regions behind it, these sources are a good place to start. Ingredients and recipes can vary from one restaurant to the next.
Sharing image credit: Vee Satayamas · CC BY-SA 4.0