Source: https://verify-veg.com/blog/is-green-curry-vegetarian/
Language: en

# Is Green Curry Vegetarian or Vegan? (Fish Sauce & Shrimp Paste)

Green curry is coconut-milk based, which makes it look creamy and plant-based. The animal products
are in the paste and the seasoning, not the vegetables. Here is what makes green curry
non-vegetarian, and how to order it vegan.

> **Key Takeaways**
> - Thai green curry is usually not vegetarian: the paste contains shrimp paste and the seasoning includes fish sauce.
> - It is often cooked with chicken or beef, but that is the visible part; the shrimp paste and fish sauce are the hidden part.
> - A "vegetable green curry" may still contain shrimp paste and fish sauce.
> - Order it vegan by asking for no shrimp paste, no fish sauce, and tofu or vegetables.

**TL;DR: Thai green curry is usually not vegetarian.** The green curry paste traditionally
contains shrimp paste (kapi) and the curry is seasoned with fish sauce: and it's often cooked
with chicken or beef. Vegan green curry is common and just as good.

## What makes green curry non-veg

Green curry ("gaeng keow wan") is coconut-milk based, but the flavor comes from:

- **Green curry paste**: traditionally includes **shrimp paste (kapi)**
- **Fish sauce**: added to the broth
- **Chicken, beef or pork**: the usual protein

So even a "vegetable green curry" may still contain shrimp paste and fish sauce.

## How to order it vegan

Ask for:

- **No shrimp paste** in the curry paste
- **No fish sauce**: swap for soy sauce or salt
- **Tofu or vegetables** instead of meat

Many Thai restaurants can make a genuinely vegan green curry on request, and vegan curry pastes
are easy to find in stores.

## The bottom line

- **Vegetarian?** Only if made without shrimp paste and fish sauce.
- **Vegan?** Same, plus tofu/veg instead of meat.

See our [Green Curry dish guide](/food/thailand/country-thailand-green-curry/) for the full breakdown.

**Check before you eat.** The Verify Veg app scans a barcode or reads an ingredient list from a
photo and flags ingredients against your diet (vegan, vegetarian, halal, kosher, Jain and more).
[Download on the App Store](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/verifyveg-vegan-scanner/id6758276834) - 
Android is coming soon.

*Written by Samir Narain, founder of Verify Veg. Verify Veg helps people check packaged food
against their diet by scanning barcodes and reading ingredient lists from photos.*

*Note: Verify Veg provides ingredient-based compatibility checks, not certification. Recipes and
preparations vary by restaurant, region and cook, so always confirm with the restaurant, brand or vendor.*