Thai Curries

Thai curries showcase the complex blend of flavors and ingredients that make Thai cuisine so beloved around the world. With fragrant spices, tender meats or tofu, creamy coconut milk, and bursts of heat,

Our Thai Food menu celebrates several Thai curries because we strongly believe they strike a perfect balance of tastes and textures. Here is an introduction to some of the most popular curries in Thai cuisine.

Green Curry

Green curry is arguably the most popular Thai curry outside of Thailand, featuring green chilies, spices, and herbs that give it its signature color. The green chili peppers add a fresh, fiery kick, while the coconut milk creates a rich, creamy base.

Typical green curry paste contains coriander, cumin, peppercorns, garlic, and shrimp paste. Chicken, beef, or tofu are commonly added to the curry along with Thai eggplant, bamboo shoots, zucchini, and sweet basil leaves. 

The sweet, salty, spicy, and sour flavors meld together beautifully in this curry. It's an ideal starting point for those new to Thai curries.

Red Curry

When most people think of curry, red curry is typically what comes to mind. Red curry has a memorable, deep, rich flavor compared to green curry due to the use of dried red chili peppers.

It derives its reddish-orange color from prik chi faa peppers, kaffir lime leaves, lemongrass, garlic, shrimp paste, and other spices like coriander and cumin. The paste simmers in coconut milk and usually contains meat like chicken, beef, or pork, along with vegetables like bamboo shoots, eggplant, and peppers.

Red curry is on the spicier side, but the coconut milk helps temper the heat. The complex blend of chili, herbs, and spices shines through with each bite.

Panang Curry

This southern Thai curry has a thick, almost stew-like consistency thanks to the addition of peanut butter or crushed peanuts. Panang curry paste typically contains dried chili peppers, garlic, galangal, lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, coriander, cumin, and peppercorns.

The paste fries in coconut milk, along with your choice of meat like chicken, beef, or shrimp, and vegetables like peppers, broccoli, carrots, or snap peas. What makes panang curry unique is the addition of decorative lime leaves and a sweet peanut flavor that balances the richness of the coconut milk.

Massaman Curry

Massaman curry comes from Persian influence on Thai cuisine, combining spices like cinnamon, cardamom, cumin, and fennel, which are atypical for Thai curries.

The combination of cinnamon, dried chilies, roasted peanuts, potatoes, and coconut milk give Massaman a distinct sweet-and-savory taste. Chicken and beef are classic proteins, or you can opt for tofu or vegetables.

Tamarind paste offers a touch of sourness, while palm sugar provides sweetness. The hearty mix of spices, coconut milk, meat, and potatoes make this the ultimate comfort food curry.

Yellow Curry

Yellow curry features a sunny, golden color from the use of turmeric, cumin, and other spices. It has a thinner consistency compared to other Thai curries. Onions, carrots, and potatoes are the primary vegetables, creating a mild, slightly sweet curry base.

Chicken or fish sauce is added for a hint of protein and savoriness. If you aren’t sure about your Thai spice tolerance, yellow curry is one of the mildest Thai curries, focused more on warming spices like turmeric, coriander, and cumin than chili heat. It's great for those who prefer a soothing, aromatic curry.

Jungle Curry

This curry gets its name from its origins in the jungles of Thailand, where meat and vegetables are cooked together without coconut milk. Jungle curry has a thin, broth-like consistency flavored primarily by green peppercorns, green chilies, cilantro root, and kaffir lime leaves.

Made without coconut milk, it lets the fresh, herbal flavors of the spice paste shine through. The main ingredients are usually chicken, pork, or mushrooms, along with bamboo shoots, Thai eggplants, and basil. For the adventurous curry lover, jungle curry offers an herby, fiercely spicy journey.

Get Your Curry Fix in Dallas at Family Thais

From the mild, comforting tastes of massaman and yellow curries to the fiery chili heat of jungle curry, Thai curries showcase the incredible range of flavors in Thai cuisine. If you think you don't like curry, stop in a Family Thais to try something made from fresh ingredients and a passion for Thai cuisine. We are located off the West End District in Downtown Dallas and are always ready to welcome you at our door.

Contact us today to learn more about our restaurant.