Green Curry vs Red Curry: A Simple Guide
Green Curry vs Red Curry: A Simple Guide
Thai green curry is made with fresh green chillies and herbs, so it tastes bright, herby and often spicier. Thai red curry uses dried red chillies, giving it a deeper, richer and slightly milder flavour. At Siam Kitchen, a halal-certified Thai restaurant in Khatib, you can try both: Gaeng Khew Wan Gai (green curry, $12.90) and Gaeng Daeng Gai (red curry, $11.90).What makes a Thai curry?
Thai curries start with a curry paste pounded from chillies, garlic, shallots, lemongrass, galangal and spices. The paste is fried, then simmered with coconut milk, meat and vegetables. The colour of the curry comes mainly from the type of chilli used.
Green curry (gaeng khew wan)
"Gaeng khew wan" means "sweet green curry". The sweet refers to the soft green colour, not sugar. The paste uses fresh green chillies, which give the curry a fresh, herby heat. Thai sweet basil and Thai eggplant are classic additions.
At Siam Kitchen: Gaeng Khew Wan Gai (Green Curry with Chicken), $12.90, cooked with Thai eggplant and sweet basil. Choice of seafood is available (additional $2.00).
Choose green curry if you like: fresh, herbal flavours and a bit more heat.
Red curry (gaeng daeng)
"Gaeng daeng" simply means "red curry". The paste uses dried red chillies, which taste smokier and rounder than fresh ones. Coconut milk softens the heat, so many diners find red curry a little gentler than green.
At Siam Kitchen: Gaeng Daeng Gai (Red Curry with Chicken), $11.90, cooked with tomato, pineapple and Thai eggplant. The pineapple adds a touch of sweetness that balances the spice. Choice of seafood is available (additional $2.00).
Choose red curry if you like: a richer, fuller curry with a hint of sweetness.
| Green curry | Red curry | |
|---|---|---|
| Chillies | Fresh green | Dried red |
| Flavour | Bright, herby | Rich, rounded, slightly sweet |
| Spice | Often hotter | Often milder |
| Siam Kitchen dish | Gaeng Khew Wan Gai, $12.90 | Gaeng Daeng Gai, $11.90 |
| Key ingredients | Thai eggplant, sweet basil | Tomato, pineapple, Thai eggplant |
How to eat Thai curry
With rice: Thai curry is eaten with steamed jasmine rice, which soaks up the sauce.
Shared: order one curry for every two or three people and share alongside other dishes.
With something crunchy: pair it with Gai Satay ($8.90) or Poh Pia Tod (Crispy Vegetable Spring Rolls), $5.90.
With a cool drink: a Thai Milk Tea ($5.90) or Lemongrass Tea ($4.90) balances the spice.
Frequently asked questions
Is green curry spicier than red curry? Usually, yes. Green curry uses fresh green chillies, which tend to taste hotter. Red curry uses dried chillies and is often milder.
Is the curry at Siam Kitchen halal? Yes. Siam Kitchen is MUIS halal-certified, so both curries are halal.
Can I have the curry with seafood? Yes. Both the green and red curry can be ordered with seafood for an additional $2.00.
How much are the curries at Siam Kitchen? Green curry with chicken is $12.90 and red curry with chicken is $11.90.
Visit Siam Kitchen
HomeTeam NS Khatib Clubhouse, 2 Yishun Walk, #01-01, Singapore 767944
Open daily, 11:30am to 10:00pm (last order 9:30pm)
+65 6908 5616
