In different areas, locals use a variety of ingredients to whip up the Kang Som. But one thing that must be the same in Kang Som no matter where you go is the lack of coconut milk – the taste is instead a little sour. Most Thai curries, such as red, green, penang or massaman, all have coconut milk as a main ingredient and taste mostly spicy and salty. However, the sour taste featured in Kang Som is rarely found in a Thai curry.
The Northern style Kang Som has a very light taste, not so spicy. Herbal ingredients are used less in the curry paste and tomato is used for the sour taste.
The Central style is more sweet and sour with and freshwater fish and local vegetables, such as morning glory, papaya and long beans.
In the Southern region, where it is believed that the most spicy and creative curries can be found, Kang Som is served with fish or shrimp, which are obviously quite easy to find in the South.
In the North or Central regions of Thailand, people mostly use freshwater fish Pla Chon (snakehead fish) as the main ingredient because its taste is not too fishy. But in the South, people mostly use local fish and seafood mixed with local vegetables.
The main ingredients of Kang Som curry paste Southern style is as follows:
Fresh or dried chilli 100g
Fresh cumin 50g
Fresh garlic or red onion 50g
Lemongrass 25g
• Salt or fish sauce
• Lemon or tamarind juice
• Your favourite vegetable
• Your favourite seafood, or fish
Kang Som Southern style offers a great variety of the ubiquitous curry. Kang Som in Phuket has its own unique style, as locals use fresh chilli instead of dried chilli for the curry paste. For the sour taste, they use lemon instead of tamarind juice which produces a very sharp taste. Finally, salt is used instead of fish sauce.
How to cook this delicious dish:
- Blend the first four ingredients together by pounding them finely
- Bring to boil about 2 litres of water and add above ingredients
- Add salt and lemon to taste
- Add vegetables
- Add seafood (in case of fish do not stir when cooking)
Be sure to check out this glorious dish, I believe you will be very impressed with the style you can enjoy right here in Phuket.
Tip: be sure to enjoy the curry alongside some salted fried beef or perhaps an omelette.