Is massaman okay if Thai curry is new to me?
It is worth choosing if you want to begin with a comparatively mild curry. 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.
Massaman curry
Massaman Curry · แกงมัสมั่น
Try massaman curry, scented with cinnamon and cardamom. It is a rich curry flavored 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 comparatively mild curry, but the heat varies from place to place.
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 cloves is in the curry. If you eat it side by side with green curry, where herbs stand out, it is easy to feel the difference between the two curries. Have the rich sauce with your 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 and curries
- Regional link
- Central Thailand · Signature Thai curry
- Main ingredients
- It is flavored with several spices such as cinnamon, cardamom and cloves. The actual ingredients, such as meat and nuts, depend on the menu you order.
The dish and its region
Massaman is one of Thailand's signature curries and is also 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 become curious about the taste of herbs and chilies, try green curry too.
How to order and eat it
- Choose a menu item with the meat you want. It also helps to check whether rice to eat with the curry is included.
- Try a little curry first, then have it with rice. Put the rich sauce and the meat on the rice together.
- If you cannot eat nuts or a certain spice, say so before you order. Even a comparatively mild curry can have some 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, and the restaurant's certification.
More dishes and cities to explore
Official sources
If you want to read more about the food and the regions behind it, these sources are a good next step. Ingredients and cooking methods can differ from one place to the next.
Sharing image credit: Vee Satayamas · CC BY-SA 4.0