Food Detective / Thailand / Kaeng matsaman

Massaman curry · แกงมัสมั่น

แกงมัสมั่น · Kaeng matsaman

A rich, mildly sweet curry with spices, coconut milk, potatoes and peanuts — not very hot.

Kind
Soup & stew, Meat
Cooking
Braised / simmered
Taste
Sweet, Creamy, Filling meal · Not spicy
Served · texture
Hot · Thick and rich, soft meat and potato

INGREDIENTS

Ingredients, including hidden ones

Main ingredient
Coconut
Usually included
Peanuts & nuts, Vegetables
Varies by region or shop
Beef, Chicken
Can be in the sauce or broth
Shrimp paste, salted or dried shrimp, Fish sauce
  • Peanuts are usual.
  • Usually seasoned with fish sauce (nam pla).

Basis: General recipe. Shops differ and unlisted ingredients can be present; this is not an allergy guarantee.

CHAINS

Which chain, which menu item

Prices in local currency (THB).

No chain with a confirmed menu item yet. Find restaurants on Google Maps ↗

“Signature” is used only when the brand itself says so. No sales ranking is invented, and no dish is judged tastier than another.

PRICE GUIDE

General price guide · One bowl

Budget
—
Typical
—
Premium
—

Separate from chain menu prices. Premium reflects setting and service, not a rip-off.

SIMILAR

How it differs from similar dishes

DifferenceKaeng khiao wanKaeng matsaman
HeatHotMild
TasteHerby, thinnerSpiced, peanuts, rich and sweet
TypicalEggplant, basilPotato, peanuts

ORDERING

Phrases to show when ordering

ไม่ใส่กุ้ง
No shrimp, please (mai sai kung)
ไม่ใส่อาหารทะเล
No seafood, please (mai sai ahan thale)
ไม่ใส่น้ำปลา
No fish sauce, please (mai sai nam pla)
ไม่ใส่ถั่วลิสง
No peanuts, please (mai sai thua lisong)
ไม่ใส่หมู
No pork, please (mai sai mu)
ไม่ใส่ไข่
No egg, please (mai sai khai)
ไม่เผ็ด
Not spicy (mai phet)
แพ้…
I’m allergic to … (phae …) — add the ingredient

A request, not a guarantee the ingredient can be removed.

Recipe sources: Wikipedia — Massaman curry (2026-10-18). Photos are Google results AMS does not vouch for; check opening status on Google Maps.