Is Massaman Curry Vegetarian or Vegan? (Beef, Fish Sauce & Shrimp Paste)

Massaman curry is coconut-based and mild, which makes it look plant-based. The animal products are in the paste and the protein, not the sauce you see. Here is what makes it non-vegetarian, and how to order it vegan.

Key Takeaways

• Massaman curry is usually not vegetarian: it is made with beef or chicken.
• The curry paste contains shrimp paste (kapi) and the seasoning includes fish sauce.
• A “vegetable massaman” may still have shrimp paste and fish sauce.
• Order it vegan with tofu or vegetables, no shrimp paste and no fish sauce.

TL;DR: Massaman curry is usually not vegetarian: it’s typically made with beef or chicken, and the curry paste contains shrimp paste, plus fish sauce. A vegan massaman (tofu + veg, no fish) is easy to find or make.

What’s in massaman curry

Massaman (“gaeng matsaman”) is a rich, mildly spiced Thai curry of coconut milk, potatoes, peanuts and a fragrant paste (cinnamon, cardamom, cumin, chili). The non-veg parts:

• Beef or chicken: the usual protein.
• Shrimp paste (kapi): in the curry paste.
• Fish sauce: in the seasoning.

So even a “vegetable massaman” may still carry shrimp paste and fish sauce.

How to order it vegan

Ask for tofu or vegetables instead of meat, no shrimp paste in the paste, and no fish sauce (soy sauce or salt instead). Vegan massaman pastes and restaurant versions are common.

The bottom line

• Vegetarian? Only if made without beef/chicken, shrimp paste and fish sauce.
• Vegan? Same, with tofu or vegetables.

See our Massaman Curry dish guide 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 - 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.