Choo Chee Pla Salmon Red Curry Salmon

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Wat Arun / Chao Phraya River

📍 Where this dish comes from: Bangkok · Wat Arun / Chao Phraya River
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Choo Chee Pla Salmon Red Curry Salmon, plated and ready to serve

Choo chee is a dry-style Thai curry, thicker and richer than a soupy kaeng, made to cling to grilled or fried fish. Salmon, though not traditional, is a favourite for it in Bangkok restaurants because its natural oils stand up to the chili and coconut. Here the sauce is reduced until it glazes the fillets, with kaffir lime leaf adding the signature perfume.

What You’ll Need

Ingredients for Choo Chee Pla Salmon Red Curry Salmon

Choo Chee Pla Salmon Red Curry Salmon

Pan-seared salmon fillets glazed in a thick, fragrant choo chee curry of red curry paste, coconut cream, and kaffir lime.
Print Recipe
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Thai
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 520kcal

Ingredients

  • 4 salmon fillets (180g each) skin on, patted dry
  • 1 cup coconut cream thick, from the top of the can
  • 3 tbsp red curry paste
  • 1 tbsp fish sauce
  • 1 tbsp erythritol
  • 4 kaffir lime leaves 2 finely shredded, 2 torn
  • 2 tbsp coconut oil
  • 1 long red chili thinly sliced
  • 1 large handful Thai basil
  • 1 tbsp lime juice
  • 1 tsp sea salt

Instructions

  • Season the salmon with salt and let it sit 5 minutes, then pat dry again.
  • Heat the coconut oil in a large non-stick pan over medium-high heat.
  • Sear the salmon skin-side down 4 minutes until crisp. Flip and cook 2 minutes. Set aside.
  • In the same pan, simmer 1/2 cup of the coconut cream with the red curry paste for 3 minutes until the oil separates.
  • Stir in the fish sauce, erythritol, torn lime leaves, and the remaining coconut cream.
  • Simmer 3–4 minutes until the sauce is thick enough to coat a spoon.
  • Return the salmon to the pan and spoon the sauce over for 1 minute.
  • Finish with lime juice, shredded lime leaves, sliced chili, and Thai basil.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 520kcal | Protein: 36g | Fat: 39g | Fiber: 1.5g
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Cooking Choo Chee Pla Salmon Red Curry Salmon in the kitchen

Health Benefits

  • Salmon is one of the richest dietary sources of omega-3 EPA and DHA.
  • Coconut cream supplies medium-chain triglycerides that the body readily uses for energy on a keto diet.
  • Kaffir lime leaves and red chilies add aromatic compounds and capsaicin with antioxidant activity.

Pairs Well With

  • Pad Pak Ruam Mixed Vegetables Oyster Sauce
  • Cauliflower Khao Pad Thai Fried Rice
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