What to Serve with Curry (19 sides + Recipes)

What to serve with curry chicken other than rice (although I do suggest some easy rice sides as well): the best curry side dishes, be it red Thai Curry, Indian Chicken Curry, Japanese Katsu Curry or beef Curry!

However, if you want more variety in your meal, scroll down for more suggestions!

You may be wondering why Chinese steamed buns are making an appearance in a post about curry! However, thanks to the melting pot of cultures that is Singapore, both steamed and fried mantou buns are actually often served with curries here!

This flaky Chinese bread has a lot of layers- perfect for scooping up all that yummy curry sauce.

Naan Bread

Naan bread is a popular choice to serve with curry due to its soft and fluffy texture. It is an excellent way to scoop up curry and soak up the flavorful sauce.

This leavened flatbread originated in India and is made from a dough consisting of flour, water, yeast, and sometimes spices.

The dough is typically rolled out and cooked in a tandoor oven or on a hot griddle, giving it its characteristic charred spots and bubbly appearance.

Naan can be enjoyed plain. However, flavored naan which includes various ingredients such as garlic, butter, or even stuffed with fillings like cheese or meat, is also very popular.

Roti

Roti, another traditional Indian flatbread, is an unleavened bread made from wheat flour, water and salt that is easy to make at home. (Click for the recipe.)

The dough is rolled out into thin circles and cooked on a hot skillet until it puffs up and develops brown spots. The soft and pliable texture of roti makes it perfect for wrapping around bite-sized pieces of curry.

Paratha

Paratha is a flaky, layered Indian flatbread made from a dough of whole wheat flour, water, and a small amount of oil or ghee. Served with curry or sugar, it's a very popular breakfast in Singapore and Malaysia and goes well with these side dishes!

It is made by rolling, folding, and re-rolling the dough multiple times, creating signature flaky layers. Parathas can be enjoyed plain or stuffed with various fillings such as spiced potatoes, lentils, or grated vegetables.

They are typically cooked on a hot griddle with a little oil or ghee until golden brown and crispy. The rich and buttery flavor, along with the multi-layered texture, makes paratha an ideal bread option to pair with curry dishes, adding a satisfying crunch and a delicious contrast to the soft and saucy curry.

Sadly, they're not super healthy so consume in moderation!

There are so many varieties of rice: Thai Curry goes beautifully with jasmine rice, Malay curry with Pandan Rice, Indian curry with basmati and Japanese or Korean curry with short-grain sushi rice!

However, if you don't have the specific variety of white rice, you can always substitute with 1 of the others, or even with a bowl of brown rice (which is healthier!)

To prepare rice: pop it in the rice cooker OR simply cook it in water or broth over the stove. This allows the grains to absorb the liquid and become tender.

Note: Basmati rice is a fragrant and flavorful long-grain rice originating from South Asia that complements the rich flavors of curry. If you like fluffy individual grains, this is the rice to go for! This versatile rice can be served plain or with warm spices, such as turmeric, saffron or cumin, which I'll touch on below.

Turmeric rice is another fantastic option to serve with curry, as its earthy flavor goes really well with curry. (In fact, turmeric is often an ingredient in curry spice powder- even Japanese curry powder!) (Not to mention how beautiful the vibrant yellow color of the rice is.)

The key ingredient that gives turmeric rice its distinct color and flavor is turmeric powder, which also offers potential health benefits from its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. (However, make sure you get your turmeric from a reputable source as there have been reports linking turmeric to lead exposure.)

To create this eye-catching accompaniment, simply add a teaspoon of turmeric powder (or 2, depending on how much rice you're cooking) to your rice during the cooking process. For a full recipe- I include other spices to bring out the turmeric flavor- click through below!

Cauliflower Rice

For a low-carbohydrate alternative, consider serving your curry with cauliflower rice.

Made by grating or processing raw cauliflower into small, rice-like grains, this is an excellent choice for those wanting a lighter, more nutritious alternative to traditional rice with a lower GI.

Cauliflower rice has a distinctive flavor that can be off-putting to some but the strong taste of the curry will help to cover it. Moreover, its texture closely mimics that of cooked rice. It can easily be cooked by sautéing in a pan with a little oil or steaming for a few minutes.

However, I have to confess that I'm not the biggest fan of the flavor of this rice substitute!

Coconut Rice

Lastly, coconut rice is a creamy and delicious way to enhance your curry.

Made by cooking rice with coconut milk - often with a touch of sugar and herbs such as lemongrass - the rich, slightly sweet coconut rice helps to balance spicy curries.

To prepare coconut rice, you can use either basmati or jasmine rice. Do note that the latter will give you a slightly stickier consistency (less desirable.) The trick is adding enough coconut to flavor the rice, but not so much that the rice clumps.

You will need to cook the rice in a mixture of coconut milk and water (I like to use coconut water), or the rice will become a sticky mess. Don't forget to add a pinch of salt for added depth of flavor!

Kachumber Salad

This refreshing cucumber salad is a good contrast to a spicy curry! Alternatively, you can serve pickled cucumbers too.

Dhal

If you're vegetarian or vegan, lentils and dhal are great go-to proteins.

Lentils are packed with protein, fiber, and other nutrients, making them a great alternative to meat. Dhal, sometimes spelt Dal, is a dish of split lentils cooked in a range of spices and herbs, is a classic choice in Indian cuisine.

Note: This hearty and flavorful option is sometimes served alongside white rice or roti for a satisfying, nutritious meal.

Samosas are a well-loved appetizer that can be served with curry.

These triangular pastries are typically filled with a mixture of spiced potatoes, peas, and occasionally cheese or meat. The spicy filling, usually flavored with ingredients like cumin and coriander, perfectly complements the rich and creamy flavors of curry made with coconut milk.

Samosas taste best when served with a variety of flavorful chutneys, such as tamarind, mint or tomato dipping sauce.

Vegetable Pakoras

Vegetable Pakoras are a nutritious and flavorful appetizer for curry dishes.

This popular Indian dish consists of a mixture of vegetables, such as sliced onions, cauliflower, and spinach, dipped in a spiced chickpea flour batter and deep-fried to a crisp, golden brown. A great way to add some greens to your meal if you're having a meat curry!

The spices used in the pakora batter also add a touch of heat to the appetizer, making it a perfect precursor to a flavorful curry.

Bombay Potatoes

Bombay Potatoes, also known as Aloo Bombay, is a popular Indian side dish that can be served as an appetizer alongside curry.

This dish features diced potatoes cooked with a blend of flavorful spices, such as mustard seeds, turmeric, and cumin, creating a subtly spicy and aromatic dish. The dish is usually garnished with fresh herbs, like coriander or mint, and served with raita to form a refreshing contrast to the spicy curry.

Using a variety of herbs and spices, Indian fish curry can be made using Indian spices such as turmeric and garam masala.

Alternatively, you can make Southeast Asian fish curry, which is seasoned with tamarind and fish sauce, creating a unique taste that is rich but tangy. (Recipe in the link below.)

Chicken curry is a popular choice for many, as it is familiar, comforting and versatile. It is actually 1 of the most popular Singaporean home cooked recipes! You can add carrots to bulk it up, or pumpkin as I've done below.

The combination of tender chicken cooked in a flavorful coconut sauce made from a mix of herbs, dry spices, and aromatic components makes this dish irresistible.

Alternatively, Indian chicken curry uses garam masala and turmeric as key ingredients- ever so delicious with white rice or naan bread.

Which of these curry side dishes is your favorite? Let me know in the comments!