Massaman Curry

A rich and gently spiced Thai-Muslim curry with tender beef, potatoes, roasted peanuts and tamarind.

Massaman curry is unique among Thai curries — it is Muslim in origin, brought to Thailand by Persian and Malay Muslim traders centuries ago. The name derives from Mussulman, an archaic term for Muslim. The curry uses warm spices typical of Persian and Indian cooking — cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, star anise — alongside Thai lemongrass and galangal. In 2011 CNN Travel declared massaman curry the most delicious food in the world. The dish is traditionally made with beef cooked for hours until completely tender. It is served with roti bread in Muslim communities rather than rice — one of the few Thai dishes where rice is not the primary starch.

Cook low and slow for at least 2 hours. Use tamarind to balance the sweetness. Serve with roti not rice for the most authentic experience.