Spicy Thai curry

Spicy Thai curry, often known as Kaeng Phet, is a vibrant and aromatic dish from Thailand featuring a fragrant coconut milk base simmered with a complex curry paste, meat or tofu, and vegetables. Its signature heat comes from fresh chilies, while layers of flavor are built with ingredients like lemongrass, galangal, kaffir lime leaves, and fish sauce. It's a staple of Thai cuisine, balancing spicy, sweet, salty, and sour notes.

🍽️ Nutrition at a glance

This dish is generally high in fat due to the coconut milk base, which is also the primary source of its calories. It provides a good amount of protein from the meat or tofu and offers key nutrients like iron, potassium, and vitamins A and C from the vegetables and herbs.

Nutrition breakdown

Calories	320 kcal
Protein	18 g
Carbs	12 g
Fat	24 g
Fiber	3 g
Sugar	5 g
Sodium	780 mg
Iron	4.2 mg
Potassium	520 mg
Vitamin C	28 mg
Vitamin A	180 mcg
Magnesium	45 mg
Phosphorus	210 mg
Manganese	1.8 mg
Folate	65 mcg

Per 1 cup (240 g) · estimated, varies by recipe

💡 What's interesting

Culturally, Thai curry embodies the principle of balancing five fundamental flavors in a single dish. Nutritionally, the coconut milk contains medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), which are metabolized differently than other fats, and the curry paste ingredients like turmeric and galangal are known for their anti-inflammatory properties.