Curry leaves

कढ़ी पत्ता / kadhi patta; karuveppilai

Flavor and role

Small leaves of the curry tree with a citrus and nutty aroma, different from curry powder. Fry them in hot oil to release the aroma.

Typical dishes and uses

South Indian tempering, coconut chutney, sambar, Sri Lankan curries, Malaysian butter prawns. In this book: idli and coconut chutney.

Substitutes

There is no real substitute. Leave them out, or partly make up the aroma with a little lime zest and 1 bay leaf.

Storage

On the stem in a zip bag, 1-2 weeks in the fridge; frozen, the aroma lasts over 3 months. Dried leaves are much weaker.

Main countries

India · Sri Lanka · Malaysia

Used in this book

Idli with Coconut ChutneyBunny Chow (Durban Chicken Curry in a Loaf)Kottu RotiMasala DosaParippuRoti CanaiRoti Jala with Chicken CurrySri Lankan Chicken Curry (Kukul Mas Curry)Bissara Tadka Dal with Mustard Seeds and Curry Leaves (Moroccan × Indian)Durban Lamb Bunny with Fresh-Ground MasalaFire-Charred Pepper Chakalaka with Toasted Whole SpicesMasala Chin Chin with Ajwain and Curry Leaves (Nigerian × Indian)Sizzling Tadka Lentil HummusMasala Egg PuffsSoaked-Rice Hoppers with Seeni SambolIndian Tadka Hummus with Curry-Leaf GheeTiffin-House Idli with Fresh-Roasted SambarPodi Idli Fries with Coconut Yogurt DipCoconut Kik Alicha with Mustard Seed Tadka (Ethiopian × Indian)Pandan Kiribath with Seeni SambolChicken Kottu with Handmade Godamba RotiKimchi Cheese Kottu with Pork Belly (Sri Lankan × Korean)Crispy Kottu Hash Browns with Curry MayoMysore Masala DosaCrispy Dosa Chaat BowlNasi Lemak with Spiced Fried Chicken (Ayam Goreng Berempah)Roasted Curry Powder Parippu with Crispy ShallotsParippu Coconut Lentil Ramen (Sri Lankan × Japanese)Parippu Cheese Rice GratinToasted-Chilli Pol Sambol with Curry Leaf TemperingPol Sambol Prawn Aglio e Olio (Sri Lankan × Italian)Pol Sambol Crispy Rice BowlOvernight-Rested Roti Canai with Malaysian Chicken Curry (Kari Ayam)Roti Jala with Fresh Rempah Chicken CurryMasala Buttermilk Fried Chicken with Mint RaitaSri Lankan Black Chicken Curry with Toasted CoconutSri Lankan Coconut Chicken Curry UdonSri Lankan Curry Chicken Cheese Toastie with Pol SambolCurry Leaf Mojo Yuca (Cuban × Keralan)

Updated 2026-10-10