Curry
A spiced dish with sauce, first from India, now made worldwide in many styles
Curry is a dish with a spiced sauce, first made in Indian cooking and later adapted in many countries. It can include meat, fish, or vegetables, and the sauce is made with a blend of spices, sometimes with coconut milk or yoghurt. Curries are now found across Asia, Britain, and beyond, eaten at everyday meals and special occasions.
- Curry began in Indian cuisine and spread worldwide
- Spices are fried in oil or ghee to make the sauce
- Curries can be made with meat, fish, or vegetables
- Curry powder was first sold to Europeans in the 18th century
- Japanese curry is a thick, mild stew served with rice
What is Curry?
Curry is a dish where pieces of meat, fish, or vegetables are cooked in a sauce made with a blend of spices and herbs. The sauce can be thick or thin, and its flavor depends on the spices used, which might include cumin, coriander, turmeric, ginger, and sometimes chili for heat. In some places, coconut milk or yoghurt is added for richness. Curries can be mild or hot, and their color and taste vary widely from region to region.
Where does Curry come from?
Curry began in India, where cooks used ground spices like ginger, turmeric, and black pepper to flavor stews and sauces. Early versions did not use chili peppers, which arrived from the Americas in the 16th century. The Mughal Empire and later Portuguese and British influences brought new ingredients and ways of cooking. The British popularized the term 'curry' and spread it to other parts of the world, where it was adapted to local tastes and ingredients.
How is Curry made?
To make curry, cooks usually start by frying spices and herbs in oil or ghee to release their flavors. Meat, fish, or vegetables are then added and cooked together, sometimes with water, broth, coconut milk, or yoghurt to form a sauce. The exact mix of spices and liquids changes from place to place. In some countries, a ready-made curry powder or paste is used instead of fresh spices.
How and when is Curry eaten?
Curry is eaten as a main dish, often with rice or flatbreads like naan or roti. In Japan, it is served with rice and sometimes pickled vegetables. In Southeast Asia, curries may be eaten with rice and side dishes. The meal can be simple or part of a larger spread, and curry is enjoyed at home, in restaurants, and at canteens. The style and accompaniments depend on local custom.
Kinds of Curry
There are many types of curry, each shaped by local ingredients and tastes. Indian curries might use yoghurt or coconut milk, while Southeast Asian versions often have a spice paste and coconut milk. Japanese curry is milder and thicker, sometimes with added sweetness. Some curries are vegetarian, while others feature meat or fish. Commercial curry powders and pastes are used in many countries.
What Curry means
Curry has become a symbol of international cooking, spreading from India to Britain, Japan, and beyond. It is a common meal in many countries, adapted to local preferences. In Japan, curry is a regular Friday lunch in the navy. The word 'curry' itself comes from South Indian languages, but now refers to a wide range of dishes worldwide.
Questions people ask about Curry
What is curry made of?
Curry is made by cooking meat, fish, or vegetables in a sauce with a blend of spices and herbs. The sauce may include coconut milk, yoghurt, or water, and the exact ingredients vary by region.
Where did curry originate?
Curry originated in India, where cooks blended spices like ginger, turmeric, and pepper to flavor stews. It later spread to other countries and was adapted in many ways.
Is curry always spicy?
No, curry can be mild or hot. The level of spiciness depends on the types and amounts of spices and chili used, which vary by region and recipe.
What countries are famous for curry?
Curry is closely linked to India, but it is also well known in the United Kingdom, Japan, South Africa, Indonesia, and Vietnam, each with its own style.
How is curry usually served?
Curry is typically served hot, as a main dish with rice or bread. In Japan, it is often served with rice and pickles, while in India and Southeast Asia, it may come with rice and various side dishes.
Good reading and sources
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Curry", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Thali rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes, and it is not dietary or allergy advice: recipes differ from cook to cook. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-03.
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