A Complete Guide to Thai Red vs. Green Curry | Thai Ginger (2024)

FAQs

Which is better, Thai red or green curry? ›

The preference of Thai red curry or green curry depends on personal taste. Some people might prefer the spicier and bolder taste of red curry, while others might enjoy the more herbal and fragrant flavor of green curry. Both are delicious in their own ways, and it's worth trying both to see which one you like better.

While all three can be super spicy, usually red is hot hot hot and green is milder, with yellow in between.

Most restaurants will ask how spicy you want your curry; start with mild or medium if you're new to the cuisine! Panang curry is thick, rich, and less soupy than red or green curries, since it uses a little less coconut milk and adds in coconut cream.

Green curry is great with chicken and shrimp because it offers a punch of seasoning to the protein. The long list of herbs also makes green curry one of the healthiest Thai cuisine dishes. You may also see green curry in Thai fusion dishes like pasta or sandwiches.

Green curry is considered the most popular curry in Thai cuisine. The green color of Thai green curry sauce has become more vibrant over the years with the addition of fresh coriander (cilantro), makrut lime leaf and peel, and basil.

Panang Curry

Also referred to as phanaeng curry by the locals, this curry dish is one of the most popular curries in Thailand and is widely known because of its saltier and slightly sweeter taste. The roots of the Panang curry are traced back to Laos, and it is a thick curry consisting of a predominant peanut flavor.

Green Thai Curry is considered the hottest of all curries that will give you that burning but tasty flavor all over your mouth. For those who think that red curry is the spiciest among the Thai curries, it's about time to change this mindset.

The pastes can usually be stored in the fridge for a reasonable amount of time and add heat and spice to a variety of dishes. Unfortunately we can't recommend substituting green Thai curry paste for red Thai curry paste, as the two have very different flavour profiles.

Jungle curry - Many people just use red curry paste for jungle curry, but I prefer to make it with a combination of dried and fresh green chiles, which add a bit of a grassy note. (This also means you can make a cheaty version by using a combination of green and red store-bought pastes!)

What is the secret to good Thai curry? ›

The secret to making amazing Thai curries is to use plenty of aromatics, like onion, ginger and garlic. Choose full-fat coconut milk for its richness (you won't regret it!). Stirring in just a little bit of rice vinegar and sugar adds tons of complexity.

Usually, the Panang curry also includes a bunch of various vegetables. While very similar to red curry, Penang is usually seasoned to be less spicy than red curry and has the added ingredient of peanuts that gives it a sweeter flavor.

In general, traditional Thai green curry is hotter than Thai red curry.

Any Indian curries that are tomato-based, like tandoori, madras, jalfrezi, rogan and bhuna, are the lowest in calories. They average around 200-300 calories. If you want an even healthier option, consider a sauce-free dish like fish tikka (which is only 180 calories).

In general, Thai yellow curry is the mildest, Thai red curry is medium-hot and Thai green curry is spicy, although it can sometimes vary depending on what region of Thailand you are in.

The base is made with young green chilis, making the curry hotter than other curries. Many feel the natural spiciness of the curry makes it one of the best-tasting. However, if you're not a fan of spicy food, this might not be your dish.

However, when they do, the dish in question must be Phaal curry. Phaal is the hottest curry in the world because it is made from Bhut Jolokia, the world's hottest chilli.

Thai curries have a brighter flavor and soupier consistency, because they use lots of fresh herbs and are cooked for less time than Indian curries. It's worth your time stocking up on some of the unique ingredients — you can freeze herbs like lemongrass and kaffir lime leaves for multiple future uses.