Foreigner FriendlyAdventurous
✗VegetarianAdventurous
Spice Level
Price Range50-80 THB
About This Dish
A fiercely sour and spicy water-based curry with no coconut milk, loaded with fresh fish, green papaya, and a vivid orange paste of turmeric, shrimp paste, and dried chilies. Southern gaeng som is significantly spicier than its central Thai cousin.
Flavor Profile
The balance of tastes in this dish
Sweet1/5
Sour1/5
Salty3/5
Spicy4/5
Umami4/5
History & Origin
Southern Thailand's answer to tom yum, gaeng som showcases the region's love of raw heat and sourness without the moderating influence of coconut cream.
Best Time to Eat
Perfect Pairings
Steamed riceOmelet
Insider Tips
- 1No coconut milk means the spice hits directly -- one of the spiciest Thai curries
- 2The turmeric gives it the distinctive yellow-orange color
How to Order
Point and say this to order like a local
Pronunciation:geng som
แกงส้มใต้
Say this: Gaeng Som (Southern Sour Curry)
Cuisine Region: Southern Thai
Price Range: 50-80 THB
Best Time to Eat: Lunch
Where to Try It
The best city to experience this dish
Surat Thani
The best city to experience this dish
More from Southern Thai
Other dishes from the same region
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