Kari Sach Moan (Cambodian Chicken Curry)
Local name: ការីសាច់មាន់
In short: Chicken, sweet potato and onion simmered in a mild, creamy coconut curry flavored with lemongrass, galangal, star anise and a touch of palm sugar. It takes about 1 h 20 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 25 min
- Cook
- 55 min
- Total
- 1 h 20 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 520 kcal
Kari sach moan is the Cambodian chicken curry, milder and sweeter than its Thai and Indian cousins. The sauce is built on a kroeung paste of lemongrass, galangal, turmeric and dried chilies, mellowed with coconut milk and warm spices such as star anise and cinnamon. Sweet potato is the signature vegetable. Cambodians eat it with a baguette, rice noodles or steamed rice.
Instructions
- Blend the curry paste ingredients with a splash of water into a smooth paste.
- Heat the oil in a wide pot over medium heat. Fry the paste for 4 minutes, until fragrant. Add the curry powder and cook for 30 seconds.
- Add the chicken and turn it in the paste for 3 minutes, until lightly colored.
- Pour in the coconut milk and water. Add the star anise and cinnamon. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook, partly covered, for 20 minutes.
- Add the sweet potato, potato and onion and simmer for 20 minutes more, until the vegetables are tender and the chicken reaches 74°C (165°F).
- Stir in the fish sauce and palm sugar, taste and adjust. Rest for 5 minutes and serve with rice, rice noodles or a baguette.
Tips
- Sweet potatoes thicken the curry naturally. For a looser sauce, add a splash of water. The curry tastes even better the next day.
- Beef, pork or lamb can replace the chicken. Beef needs about 1 hour 30 minutes to become tender, so lengthen the first simmer.
Questions and answers
How is Cambodian curry different from Thai curry?
Khmer curry is milder and sweeter, with less chili and a base of lemongrass, galangal and turmeric. It usually includes sweet potato and warm spices such as star anise and cinnamon.
Can I make this curry ahead of time?
Yes. It keeps for 3 days in the fridge and the flavor improves. Reheat gently and add a splash of water if the sauce has thickened.
What do you eat Cambodian curry with?
Steamed rice, fresh rice noodles or a crusty baguette to mop up the sauce. A side of pickled vegetables and fresh herbs adds crunch.
How long does it take to make Kari Sach Moan (Cambodian Chicken Curry)?
About 1 h 20 min in total: 25 min of preparation and 55 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Kari Sach Moan (Cambodian Chicken Curry)?
About 520 kcal per serving, with 31 g of protein, 34 g of carbohydrates and 29 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 520 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 31 g |
| Carbohydrates | 34 g |
| Fat | 29 g |
| Fiber | 5 g |
| Sugar | 14 g |
| Sodium | 1200 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
