By Shireen Jamooji
November 1, 2023
When we hear curry, we automatically think of Indian food but there are many unique dishes across East Asian and beyond that are also worth your attention. Here are a few you should know.
In Japan, curry has a thick texture and a mild flavour with a subtle hint of spice. It's a popular family meal due to its simplicity and affordability.
A Burmese coconut milk noodle soup with a touch of gram flour for thickening. It's served with protein or fried bean fritters, onions, chillies, crispy noodles, hard-boiled eggs, and a dash of lime or fish sauce for extra flavour.
In Brazil, Moqueca is a fish stew with coconut milk, tomatoes, peppers, and herbs, reflecting the country's tropical spirit with influences from Portuguese and African cuisines.
Originating in central Thailand, green curry paste offers herbaceous and bold flavours, with ingredients like lemongrass, green chillies, and coconut milk, pairing well with fish and white meat.
Another Thai favourite, Massaman combines spices like coriander, cumin, and cardamom, influenced by Persian immigrants, with the name meaning "Muslim" in ancient Persian.
In Ethiopia, Doro Wat is a fiery chicken stew spiced with berbere. It's traditionally served with injera, a sourdough flatbread, providing a spicy and aromatic culinary experience.
In Jamaica, it's called Curry Chicken, not Chicken Curry. Influenced by East Indian indentured servants and slaves, it includes the Caribbean heat of scotch bonnet peppers.
Cambodia's national dish, Fish Amok is a coconut seafood curry cooked in palm or banana leaves with a special spice paste called Kroeung, a time-consuming delicacy saved for special occasions