Everyday Curry · Turmeric & Tamarind

Kaeng Leuang (Southern Turmeric Sour Curry)

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The curry's bright yellow color comes entirely from fresh turmeric root pounded into the paste — this is one of the few Thai curries that contains no coconut milk at all.

A paste of fresh turmeric, chilies, shallots and shrimp paste is simmered into a thin, sour-spicy broth with tamarind, then loaded with fish and vegetables such as green papaya, bamboo shoots or cucumber. Market cooks ladle it over rice as an everyday lunch curry.

Why it's made this way: Kaeng leuang is considered one of the oldest and most characteristic curries of southern Thailand, its coconut-free, tamarind-sour style setting it apart from the rich coconut curries of central and northern Thai cooking.