Thai Curry Paste in Escondido, CA
Red, green, yellow, panang, and massaman curry pastes are showing in the current catalog. Search the style you need for live brands, sizes, and aisle information. Mae Ploy and Maesri appear in the current data, though individual varieties rotate.
Asian Market La Sorpresa Barata
850 E. Valley Pkwy, Escondido, CA 92025
Quick definition
A concentrated blend of chiles, aromatics, spices, and often shrimp paste that forms the flavor base of Thai curries and many other dishes.
Thai Curry Paste at a glance
- What it is
- A concentrated blend of chiles, aromatics, spices, and often shrimp paste that forms the flavor base of Thai curries and many other dishes.
- Also known as
- red curry paste, green curry paste, yellow curry paste, panang curry paste, massaman curry paste
- Names you may see
- Thai: น้ำพริกแกง (nam phrik kaeng)Thai: เครื่องแกง (khrueang kaeng), another general term for curry paste
- Cuisine
- Thai & Lao
- Typical forms
- Canned, tubbed, or pouch paste in red, green, yellow, panang, massaman, sour, and specialty styles
- Common uses
- Coconut curries, soups, stir-fries, fried rice, noodles, marinades, fish cakes, and dipping sauces
- Where current matches are located
- Aisle 3 · Noodles, Canned Goods & Seasonings
What is Thai curry paste?
Thai curry paste is a pounded aromatic concentrate, not a finished sauce and not simply curry powder mixed with water.
A paste may combine fresh or dried chiles with lemongrass, galangal, garlic, shallot, lime peel, coriander root, spices, salt, and shrimp paste. The balance changes by style and producer. Green paste usually relies on fresh green chiles and green aromatics; red paste centers dried red chiles; massaman brings warm dried spices associated with historical Muslim influence.
To make curry, cooks commonly fry the paste in coconut cream or oil until aromatic, then add coconut milk, protein, vegetables, and seasonings. Prepared paste is concentrated and salty, so begin with the package ratio and taste before adding fish sauce. Some formulas contain shrimp, fish, or other allergens; a vegetable-looking paste is not automatically vegan.
What we carry
These matches come from the same inventory source as our in-store locator. Selection can change; use the locator for the complete current list and exact location.
Mae Ploy Red Curry Paste
14 OZ · 2 LB 3 OZ
GroceryAisle 3 · Noodles, Canned Goods & SeasoningsChef's Choice Red Curry Paste
14 OZ
GroceryAisle 3 · Noodles, Canned Goods & SeasoningsThai Kitchen Red Curry Paste
4 OZ
GroceryAisle 3 · Noodles, Canned Goods & SeasoningsLobo Red Curry Paste
1.76 OZ · 14 OZ
GroceryAisle 3 · Noodles, Canned Goods & SeasoningsNang Fah Red Curry Paste
14 OZ
GroceryAisle 3 · Noodles, Canned Goods & SeasoningsLobo Cntry Style Red Curry Paste
1.76 OZ
GroceryAisle 3 · Noodles, Canned Goods & Seasonings
Varieties and forms
Red curry paste
A versatile dried-red-chile base for coconut curry, stir-fries, fish cakes, soups, and marinades.
Green curry paste
Fresh green chile and herbs create a vivid, aromatic curry often paired with Thai basil and coconut milk.
Yellow curry paste
Turmeric and warm spices give a golden color and a profile that works with potato, onion, chicken, and seafood.
Panang and massaman
Panang is thick, rich, and fragrant with makrut lime and spices; massaman is gentler and warm-spiced, often used with beef and potatoes.
What do you cook with Thai curry paste?
Paste is a flexible seasoning beyond a bowl of curry. Fry it briefly to release aroma, taking care not to scorch the chiles or dried spices.
Green curry
Green paste, coconut milk, vegetables, protein, and Thai basil in a fragrant sauce.
Red curry
A versatile coconut curry adjusted with fish sauce, palm sugar, and fresh aromatics.
Panang curry
A reduced, rich curry with less free sauce and an aromatic lime-leaf finish.
Massaman curry
Slow-cooked meat, potato, onion, peanuts, coconut milk, and warm spices.
Curry fried rice
A small spoonful of paste seasons rice, egg, vegetables, and protein in the wok.
Thai curry paste vs. curry powder
Paste carries fresh aromatics and moisture; powder is a dry spice blend. They build different sauces and are not equal spoon for spoon.
Thai curry paste
Chiles and wet aromatics create body, heat, and a distinctly Southeast Asian fragrance.
Curry powder
A shelf-stable dry blend whose spices vary by cuisine and producer. It lacks fresh lemongrass, shallot, and galangal texture.
Prepared curry sauce
Already diluted and seasoned, often with coconut milk. It is convenient but less concentrated than paste.
How should you store Thai curry paste?
Unopened storage and after-opening refrigeration vary by can, pouch, and tub. Follow the package and use clean utensils.
Portion leftovers
If a package permits freezing, divide unused paste into recipe-size portions so you do not repeatedly thaw the whole amount.
Taste before salting
Commercial pastes can be salty and may include shrimp paste. Add fish sauce only after the curry is diluted and simmered.
Check allergens
Read every style separately for shrimp, fish, soy, or other ingredients. Brand and flavor lines do not always share one formula.
Explore the full thai & lao pantry
See related pantry staples, fresh ingredients, departments, and dishes on our Thai & Lao grocery guide.
Thai Curry Paste FAQ
Where can I buy Thai curry paste in Escondido?
Search the exact style in Asian Market Escondido’s live locator. Current listings for red, green, yellow, panang, and massaman include their aisle at 850 E. Valley Pkwy.
Which Thai curry paste is mildest?
Color alone does not guarantee heat. Massaman and yellow often taste gentler, but brands vary; check the package and start with less paste.
Do I need coconut milk with Thai curry paste?
Many curries do, but paste also seasons broth, stir-fries, marinades, fried rice, and fish cakes. Follow the dish rather than assuming one formula.
Is Thai curry paste vegetarian?
Not automatically. Traditional and commercial formulas may contain shrimp paste or fish. Look for a suitable label and verify the ingredient list.
Find thai curry paste at Asian Market Escondido
850 E. Valley Pkwy, Escondido, CA 92025. Open 8:00 AM–8:00 PM, seven days a week. Free parking at the door, two minutes off I-15 at Valley Parkway.
- Address
- 850 E. Valley Pkwy, Escondido
- Hours
- 8:00 AM–8:00 PM · 7 days
- Phone
- (760) 735-9650