Cà Ri

Cà ri is a Vietnamese term for curry, referring to a variety of dishes prepared with a combination of spices, meat or seafood, vegetables, and often coconut milk.

Lastest Updated May 27, 2024
Verified by A-Z Cuisines Team
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Fact: In Soc Trang, people eat the most cà ri, especially when locals have it for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Flag of Vietnam#23 in Vietnam

Basic Information

Cà Ri: Basic Information

Pronunciation

/cah ree/

Alternative Name(s)

No

Dish Type

Curries

Course

Main course

Mealtime

Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Origin and Region

Cà Ri: Origin and Region

Origin

Vietnam

Continent’s Region

Southeast Asia

Country’s Region

Southern Vietnam

Associated Region

Unspecified
Vietnam Map
A Deep Dive

Popular Cà Ri Variations

Ingredients and Preparation

Cà Ri: Ingredients and Preparation

Main Ingredients

Meat (chicken or beef) or vegetables, coconut milk, curry spices

Main Cooking Method

Stewing and simmering

Preparation Process

Cooking meat or vegetables with a mixture of spices before incorporating a liquid base like broth or coconut milk.
A Deep Dive

Cà Ri: A Deep Dive

Cultural Significance

A popular dish in Vietnamese cuisine

Taste

Savory

Texture

Liquid-based

Aroma

A hint of sweetness and fragrance

Color

Yellow, red

Serving Style

In a bowl with side accompaniments

Serving Temperature

Hot

Accompaniment

Rice, baguette bread, rice noodles

Occasions

On any occasions

Seasons

Year-round

Special Diets

Gluten-free

Calories

197 calories, according to data of MyFitnessPal for a cup of cà ri gà

Popularity

Worldwide

Popular Similar Dishes

  1. Rendang
  2. Laksa
  3. Doro Wat

Popular Dining Area

Restaurants, home kitchens worldwide

Cà ri is a Vietnamese fusion version of curry that often features a vibrant and flavorful broth. In Vietnam, curry is especially popular and usually features coconut water or coconut milk combined with sweet potatoes, meat, or taro.

Ca Ri Infographic

In some ways, cà ri is more like a soup than the thick consistency typically found in Indian curries. Vietnamese locals typically enjoy cà ri with bread for dipping or accompanied by rice noodles or cooked rice. Surprisingly, cà ri is often associated with the Southern region of Vietnam.

Depending on the location and people’s preferences, cà ri offers a wide range of options, often by switching the meat choices and spice mixes.

Cà ri is more than tasty, especially when you want to uncover other variants of this dish and the method that locals often make this specialty. Explore different serving options to enhance your cà ri experience.

Later on, it’s essential to discover the pros and cons of eating cà ri and discover some concerns of others about this specialty. Also, make sure to find out some specialties that are similar to cà ri.

Key Points

  • Cà ri is a Vietnamese adaptation of curry, known for its vibrant and flavorful broth.
  • It has a more soup-like consistency.
  • Typically served with bread for dipping or with rice noodles and cooked rice.

Cà Ri Images

What Are the Variants of Cà Ri in Vietnam?

Cà ri in Vietnam offers a diverse range of ingredients, thus making the dish has various versions. For that, let me introduce you to the popular variations of cà ri:

Calzone Pizza

Ca Ri Ga

A flavorful chicken curry, often rich and aromatic

Ca Ri De

A curry made with goat meat, potatoes, and coconut milk, flavored with a blend of spices; often served with rice or bread.

Ca Ri Bo

A hearty beef curry, often slow-cooked for tenderness

Ca Ri Cua

A seafood curry featuring crab, rich in flavor

Ca Ri Ech

A unique curry with tender frog legs

Ca Ri Cuu

A rich and flavorful lamb curry.

Ca Ri Muc

A seafood curry with squid as the main ingredient

Ca Ri Hai San

A mixed seafood curry, often with a rich sauce

Ca Ri Ca

A fish-based curry, often light and flavorful

Ca Ri Ngheu

A curry with clams, offering a distinct seafood taste

Ca Ri Ca Duoi

A unique seafood curry featuring stingray

Ca Ri Vit

A rich curry with duck meat as the main ingredient

Ca Ri Chay

A vegetarian curry, often with tofu and a variety of vegetables

Don’t just stop at the curry variations in Vietnam since the process of materializing this bold-flavor dish is also interesting to look into.

How to Make Vietnamese Cà Ri?

Vietnamese curry, though it varies by region, often shares a similar process of cooking. To create cà ri, let me show you the steps of making Vietnamese curry:

Step 1: Prepare Ingredients

Cut meat into bite-sized pieces, chop vegetables (carrots, potatoes, onions), and mince garlic and ginger; have Vietnamese curry powder or a spice mix ready.

Step 2: Marinate the Meat

Optionally marinate meat with curry powder, minced garlic, and salt.

Step 3: Sauté Spices

Heat oil in a pot, sauté minced garlic, ginger, and onions until fragrant, then stir in curry powder.

Step 4: Cook the Meat

Add marinated meat to the pot, cooking until browned.

Step 5: Add Vegetables and Liquid

Include chopped vegetables, pour in coconut milk and water or broth to cover, and add lemongrass for flavor.

Step 6: Simmer

Bring to a boil, then simmer covered until meat and vegetables are tender.

Step 7: Season and Serve

Season with fish sauce, sugar, and salt, remove lemongrass, and serve hot with rice or bread.

Cooking Vietnamese is one way to show off your cooking skills. However, there are a few great sides to enhance the flavor of your cà ri.

What to Serve with Vietnamese Curry?

When serving Vietnamese curry (cà ri), you have a variety of options that complement its rich and flavorful profile. Here are some popular choices:

Rice

Rice

Steamed jasmine or basmati rice pairs wonderfully with cà ri, as it absorbs the curry’s flavors and provides a neutral base.

Bread

Bread

Crusty breads like baguettes are perfect for dipping into the curry and soaking up the sauce.

Noodles

Noodles

Rice noodles or vermicelli can be served with cà ri, offering a different texture and a lighter alternative to rice.

Fresh Herbs

Fresh herbs

Garnishing with fresh herbs like cilantro, Thai basil, or mint adds freshness and aroma.

Drinks

Drinks

Light beers, jasmine tea, or even a crisp white wine can pair well with the flavors of cà ri.

Finding a perfect pairing to have with cà ri helps elevate the dish to a whole new level in terms of flavor. However, there are a few good and bad aspects about eating Vietnamese curry that you need to know.

Pros and Cons of Eating Cà Ri

These are the positive and negative features that often influence many when they’re going to have cà rì for their next meal:

Pros

  • Customizable: It’s adapted to suit dietary preferences, such as using lean meats for a healthier option or tofu for a vegetarian version.
  • Satiety: The combination of protein, fats, and fiber in cà ri can contribute to a feeling of fullness, helping with portion control.
  • Rich in spices: The spices used in cà ri, like turmeric, ginger, and garlic, have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
  • Digestive benefits: The spices in cà ri, like ginger and turmeric, are known for their digestive benefits, aiding in digestion and potentially reducing bloating.

Cons

  • Fat content: If prepared with coconut milk and certain meats, the fat content can be high, which might not align with low-fat dietary preferences.
  • Spice sensitivity: Some people might find the spices used in cà ri too intense or may have allergies to certain ingredients.
  • Preparation time: Cooking cà ri is time-consuming, which might not be ideal for those with a busy schedule.

With all the aspects of eating cà ri out of the way, you should spend some time to uncover inquiries relating to this Vietnamese curry dish.

Cà Ri FAQs

Vietnamese cà ri typically has a lighter, more broth-like consistency compared to thicker Indian curries and often includes local ingredients like lemongrass and fish sauce.

It can be healthy, especially if made with lean meats, lots of vegetables, and controlled amounts of coconut milk.

Simply store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days, or freeze it for longer storage.

Yes, the spice level can vary. It’s generally milder than many Indian or Thai curries, but you can adjust the heat to your preference.

Truc Tran (Kris)

Truc Tran (Kris)

Senior Food Editor

Expertise

Home Cooking, Meal Planning, Recipe Development, Baking and Pastry, Food Editor, Cooking-video Maker, Vietnamese Food Evaluation Expert

Education

  • Hospitality (Commercial Cookery) at TasTAFE
  • Culinary Arts at Kendall College (Australia Branch in Sydney)
  • Vietnamese Cuisine Head Chef at HNAAu School (Vietnam, International Joint Training Program)

Truc Tran (Kris), an experienced food writer and editor, is great at exploring and describing global cuisines, from simple street food to fancy dining. In her writing, she skillfully mixes different flavors, cooking methods, and culinary traditions, showing the unique character of various cultures through their food and drinks. On azcuisines.com, Kris highlights her knowledge, especially in Asian cuisine and worldwide traditional dishes.

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