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NAKARA SPECIALTY:

CHICKEN MASSAMAN CURRY

This is one of our most loved dishes by all our guests. Massaman originated in 17th century Central Thailand (so not strictly Isan) at the cosmopolitan court of Ayutthaya. The unique flavors of the Massaman curry paste (nam phrik kaeng matsaman) come from spices that are not frequently used in other Thai curries including cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, star anise, cumin, bay leaves, nutmeg and mace. In the 17 century these spices would have been imported from the Malay Peninsular meaning they would have been affordable only to the highest households making this a truly Rich and Royal meal. Do make our Massaman one of your first dishes when you stay with us. It’s absolutely delicious especially as we serve with our own freshly made flat breads.

Asian Food Concept Homemade Spicy Chicken Thai Massaman Curry With Spices Foreground Black Slate Stone
The Royal Dish: Thai Chicken Massaman Curry

A Brief History of Massaman Curry

Despite its strong ties with Thailand, Massaman Curry has its origins in other parts of the world. After all, it is certainly true that it bares little resemblances to curries which are known to be of Thai origin, such as the traditional red, yellow or green curries.

Massaman also combines spices and aromatics which are unusual to the Thai curry cooking process and has a different flavour palate which would support the idea that this dish was brought into Thailand rather than created there.

Most likely the recipe made its way into Thailand during the period of Persian influence during the Ayutthaya Period in the early 17th century.

At this time, King Phra Narai actively encouraged foreign trade and settlement to generate more trade for his Kingdom. As a result, Muslims of Indo-Malay origin as well as Shiite Persian Muslims were given permission to reside in the heart of Kingdom, in Ayutthaya. Naturally this facilitated culinary exchanges and enabled the introduction of Muslim culinary practices such as the Massaman curry into the heart of then Siam.

It became a popular Royal dish though when, according to the scholar Santi Sawetwimon, the dish was introduced into the cosmopolitan court of Ayutthaya through the Persian merchant Sheik Ahmad Qomi, from whom the noble Thai Bunnag family descends.

It was at the court, with some reinvention and merging of more traditional Thai ingredients and cooking methods, that the massaman curry we know today was perfected.

The dish even, it is rumoured led to a Royal Marriage. Whilst doubtlessly there were other more romantic impulses involved, Prince Itsarasunthon (later King Rama II) fell in love with Princess Bunrot (later Queen Sri Suriyendra) after she cooked the dish for him. The prince even wrote about this massaman curry experience in a poem dedictaed to his princess:

Massaman, a curry made by my beloved, is fragrant of cumin and strong spices.
Any man who has swallowed the curry is bound to long for her.

Once established as a popular dish at the court if Ayutthaya, the fame and popularity of the dish spread. Though the first recorded written recipe was only written by Lady Plean Passakornrawong in 1889. She described a dish “Chicken Massaman curry with bitter orange juice” spelling as Matsaman (หมัด สมั่น).

The City of Ayutthaya in the 17th Century
The City of Ayutthaya in the 17th Century

Massaman Curry Recipe

  • 100 g Massaman curry paste (the ready-made ones are great, you don’t need to buy a spice grinder and make your own!)
  • 1 kg chicken
  • 300 g potatoes cut into pieces
  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 300 ml coconut milk
  • Handful green cardamom pods
  • Sprinkling of palm sugar
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 tablespoon tamarind paste
  • Cinnamon stick
  • 1 tablespoon fish sauce
  • Toasted crushed peanuts for garnishing
  • Coriander for garnishing
  1. Fry the curry paste in half the coconut milk, stirring constantly for about 5 minutes
  2. Add the chicken (or whichever meat or veg you want to use), and cook for 3 minutes
  3. Throw in the fish sauce, palm sugar, and tamarind along with a splash of water, tasting after a couple of minutes to make sure the balance is right. If you need to rebalance then add more palm sugar or tamarind paste
  4. Add cardamom pods, cinnamon stick, and bay leaves
  5. Throw in the rest of the coconut milk and simmer for 20 minutes
  6. Add the chopped potatoes and onions and simmer for another 20 minutes
  7. Serve and garnish with the toasted peanuts and coriander leaves
Massman Chicken Curry with Winter Melon Mushroom Garlic Chilli Basil Served at Nakara Villas and Glamping
A Delicious Bowl of Massman Chicken Curry with Potatoes

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