Share
Winter evenings usually bring a craving for warm food. The comforting and warming qualities of curries from Asia make them the perfect choice for winter meals. These curries typically feature a rich, aromatic base, often made with a variety of spices such as ginger, garlic, turmeric, cumin, and chilli, which not only create a depth of flavour but also offer heat to help combat the cold. The inclusion of coconut milk or yoghurt gives the curry a creamy, smooth texture, which adds to its indulgence during chilly evenings.
Photo Credit: Unsplash
Many Asian curries also incorporate seasonal ingredients such as root vegetables, greens, chicken, or seafood, making them nutrient-dense and satisfying. The slow cooking process allows the spices and ingredients to come together, intensifying the flavours and creating a hearty meal. The addition of fresh herbs such as cilantro or basil, along with tangy elements such as tamarind or lime, helps balance out the richness of the curry and gives it a refreshing contrast.
Video Credit: Recipetin Eats
These curries are often served with rice or bread, which soak up the flavourful sauce. Whether spicy, tangy, or mildly sweet, Asian curries offer a delicious way to stay cosy during winter while exploring the diverse culinary traditions of the region.
Thai Red Curry
A vibrant dish that’s perfect for the winter chill, the Thai red curry is made with a base of red curry paste, coconut milk, and a mix of vegetables or proteins such as chicken, meat or tofu. The red curry paste typically consists of red chillies, lemongrass, garlic, and ginger, all of which bring a fiery depth of flavour. The rich coconut milk balances out the spice, making the curry creamy and indulgent. Served with steamed jasmine rice, this curry is a wholesome meal.
Japanese Katsu Curry
Photo Credit: Unsplash
Japanese Katsu Curry is a hearty, mild curry served with a breaded and fried cutlet, typically chicken or pork. The curry sauce is thick and slightly sweet, with a blend of spices. The crispy katsu cutlet adds a delightful crunch, while the curry sauce is rich and comforting. This dish is perfect for winter because it’s satisfying and filling, making it an ideal choice for a cosy dinner after a cold day.
Indian Butter Chicken
Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Butter chicken, or murgh makhani, is a luxurious, velvety curry known for its rich, creamy texture. The chicken is cooked in a sauce made from tomatoes, cream, butter, and a variety of aromatic spices such as cumin, coriander, and garam masala. The sauce is mild yet flavorful, with a perfect balance of tanginess from the tomatoes and smoothness from the cream. Usually served with naan bread or basmati rice, the butter chicken’s warmth and creaminess make it an excellent choice for a winter feast.
Indonesian Ayam Betutu
Ayam Betutu is a traditional Indonesian curry made with chicken that is marinated in a mixture of spices and then slow-cooked to make it tender. This dish comes from the island of Bali, and its rich, complex flavours are created by using turmeric, ginger, lemongrass, garlic, and chillies. The chicken is slow-cooked in a banana leaf, allowing the flavours to fully infuse the meat, and is usually served with rice. The result is a tender, aromatic dish that offers a comforting and hearty meal ideal for the winter months.
Malaysian Laksa
Photo Credit: Unsplash
Laksa is a popular spicy noodle soup found in Malaysia and Singapore, often eaten during the winter for its warming properties. The base of this curry is a rich, aromatic broth made from a combination of coconut milk and a spicy paste made from chili, lemongrass, and shrimp paste. Laksa is usually served with rice noodles, bean sprouts, and a variety of proteins like shrimp, chicken, or tofu. The soup’s balance of creaminess and heat makes it perfect for chilly evenings, and the noodles provide a comforting base that soaks up the flavourful curry broth.
Sri Lankan Chicken Curry
Photo Credit: Unsplash
Sri Lankan chicken curry, known as Kukul Mas is a fragrant and bold curry that uses a combination of freshly ground spices such as cinnamon, cloves, cardamom, and black pepper. It’s typically made with bone-in chicken to enhance the flavour of the curry. The curry is simmered in a coconut milk base, giving it a rich, velvety texture, and is finished with a squeeze of lime to add a tangy note. This curry is often served with rice or flatbreads, making it a filling, satisfying meal perfect for a cold winter day.
Korean Kimchi Jjigae (Kimchi Stew)
Photo Credit: Unsplash
Kimchi jjigae, a traditional Korean stew, is an excellent winter curry option. While it’s not a curry in the traditional sense, the spiced broth and the hearty ingredients give it a similar depth of flavour and warmth. This dish is made using aged kimchi, tofu, vegetables, and sometimes meat, all simmered together in a spicy, tangy broth. The kimchi provides a sour and fermented flavour, while the gochujang (Korean chilli paste) adds heat. This dish is especially comforting in winter, as the rich, spicy broth provides warmth and the probiotics in the kimchi support digestion and immunity during the colder months.
