What is green curry?

What is Green Curry?

Kaeng khiao wan (แกงเขียวหวาน) means sweet green curry. The colour comes from fresh green chillies in the paste. Unlike red or yellow curry, which use dried or milder chillies, green curry paste is made with fresh young green chillies, lemongrass, kaffir lime zest and leaves, galangal, shrimp paste, and garlic. This gives it both heat and floral, citrusy aroma.

Taste and texture

Creamy from coconut milk but lighter than red curry. The flavour is fragrant and herbal — lemongrass, kaffir lime, and Thai basil are dominant. Heat ranges from moderate to intense depending on the amount of chilli used.

Typical ingredients

• Green chilli paste (prik khiao)
• Coconut milk
• Chicken, beef, shrimp, or tofu
• Thai eggplant
• Zucchini
• Kaffir lime leaves
• Thai basil
• Fish sauce
• Palm sugar
• Lemongrass
• Galangal

Common allergens to ask about

The following allergens are commonly present in Green Curry. Ingredient lists vary by restaurant — always confirm with your server if you have dietary restrictions.

• Fish (fish sauce, shrimp paste in curry paste)
• Shellfish (shrimp paste)
• Tree nuts (some curry pastes use nutmeg or mace)
• Coconut (tree nut)

How it's served

In a bowl or pot, served alongside steamed jasmine rice. Sometimes a small cup of additional coconut milk is provided to adjust richness.

Order it if you like…

Order it if you enjoy aromatic, coconut-based curries and can handle moderate to high heat. The fragrance from lemongrass and kaffir lime makes it distinct from Indian-style curries.

Similar dishes

Pad Thai · Tom Kha Gai · See all dishes in the dictionary

Reading the menu that lists Green Curry

Use ChefBear to scan the menu and see every dish — including Green Curry — with a photo, description, and a recommendation for your taste. For a full guide to Thai menus, see how to read a Thai menu.

Frequently asked questions

Is green curry spicier than red curry?

Generally yes. Green curry uses fresh green chillies, which tend to be hotter than the dried chillies in red curry paste. However, heat levels vary significantly between restaurants and regions.

What is the difference between Thai green, red, and yellow curry?

Green curry: fresh green chillies, herbal and floral, usually spicy. Red curry: dried red chillies, slightly sweeter and richer. Yellow curry: milder, turmeric-based, closer to Indian curry in flavour.

Can green curry be made vegan?

Yes, but traditional curry paste contains shrimp paste (kapi). Request vegan curry paste and coconut milk for a fully vegan version. Tofu or vegetables replace the protein.