What Is Thai Yellow Curry? A Guide to Its Mild, Aromatic Flavour

Thai Yellow Curry is one of the gentler and more aromatic styles of Thai curry.

Compared with Green or Red Curry, Yellow Curry is usually milder and has a warmer, rounder flavour. Its distinctive golden colour comes from spices such as turmeric, while coconut milk gives the finished curry a rich and comforting texture.

It is an excellent choice for anyone who enjoys Thai food but prefers less chilli heat.

What Does Thai Yellow Curry Taste Like?

Thai Yellow Curry is typically:

• Mild to medium in heat
• Rich and creamy
• Warm and aromatic
• Slightly sweet
• Fragrant with herbs and spices

The flavour is generally softer than Green Curry and less chilli-forward than Red Curry.

Turmeric plays an important role in both the colour and flavour, while other spices such as cumin and coriander can give Yellow Curry its characteristic warmth.

What Makes Thai Yellow Curry Yellow?

The golden colour of Thai Yellow Curry comes mainly from turmeric.

Turmeric is widely used in Thai cooking, particularly in Southern Thai cuisine, and gives dishes a warm golden colour together with an earthy, aromatic flavour.

Depending on the recipe, Yellow Curry paste may also include dried chilli, lemongrass, galangal, garlic, shallots, coriander and cumin.

Is Thai Yellow Curry Spicy?

Thai Yellow Curry is generally one of the milder Thai curries.

It still contains chilli, but the heat is usually balanced by coconut milk and warming spices.

For people who find Green Curry or Jungle Curry too spicy, Yellow Curry can be a very good alternative.

When cooking at home, the spice level can also be adjusted simply by using more or less curry paste.

What Is Thai Yellow Curry Paste Made From?

A traditional Thai Yellow Curry paste combines aromatic Thai ingredients with warm spices.

Typical ingredients may include:

• Dried chillies
• Lemongrass
• Galangal
• Garlic
• Shallots
• Turmeric
• Coriander
• Cumin

The exact recipe varies, but the paste is designed to create a curry that is fragrant, rounded and gently spiced.

Using a good-quality Thai Yellow Curry Paste makes it much easier to create this flavour at home without preparing every ingredient separately.

How Do You Cook Thai Yellow Curry?

Thai Yellow Curry is usually very straightforward to cook.

The curry paste is gently fried until fragrant, then coconut milk is added to create a creamy sauce.

Chicken is a popular choice, although beef, prawns, tofu or vegetables also work very well.

Potatoes, onions and other vegetables are often added, giving the curry a hearty and comforting character.

The curry is then simmered until the ingredients are cooked through and the sauce has thickened slightly.

Serve it with steamed Thai jasmine rice.

Thai Yellow Curry Compared With Other Thai Curries

Thai Yellow Curry has a very different character from some of Thailand’s other well-known curries.

Green Curry is usually fresher, more herbal and often hotter.

Red Curry has a stronger chilli flavour and is generally richer in red chilli.

Massaman Curry is usually milder and heavier on warming spices.

Jungle Curry is much hotter and traditionally made without coconut milk.

Thai Yellow Curry, by comparison, is creamy, warming and gently spiced, making it one of the most approachable Thai curries.

What Can You Add to Thai Yellow Curry?

Yellow Curry works well with a wide variety of ingredients.

Popular additions include:

• Chicken
• Beef
• Prawns
• Tofu
• Potatoes
• Onions
• Carrots
• Peppers
• Aubergine

Because the curry is relatively mild, it works particularly well with vegetables and lighter proteins.

Discover RAYA Thai Yellow Curry Paste

At RAYA Grocery, we created our Thai Yellow Curry Paste to make it easier to prepare an authentic and aromatic Thai Yellow Curry at home.

Our curry pastes are made in Thailand using carefully selected ingredients and traditional Thai flavour profiles.

You can shop RAYA Thai Yellow Curry Paste online for UK delivery, or visit us at our shop in Borough Market, London.

If you enjoy authentic Thai flavours, explore our complete collection of RAYA Thai curry pastes, including Green, Red, Massaman, Panang, Jungle Curry, Khua Kling, Gaeng Som and Tom Yum.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Thai Yellow Curry?

Thai Yellow Curry is a coconut-based Thai curry with a warm golden colour and a mild, aromatic flavour. Turmeric is one of the key spices that gives the curry its distinctive colour.

Is Thai Yellow Curry mild?

Usually, yes. Yellow Curry is generally milder than Green Curry or Jungle Curry, although the exact heat level depends on the curry paste and how much is used.

What is the difference between Yellow Curry and Massaman Curry?

Both are relatively mild, but Massaman is usually richer and more strongly influenced by warming spices. Yellow Curry tends to have a brighter turmeric flavour and a more traditional Thai curry character.

What meat is best for Thai Yellow Curry?

Chicken is very popular, but beef, prawns and tofu all work well. Yellow Curry is also excellent with vegetables.

Where can I buy Thai Yellow Curry Paste in the UK?

RAYA Thai Yellow Curry Paste is available from RAYA Grocery online for UK delivery and from our Borough Market shop in London.