Curry

Burmese Egg Curry with Coconut Milk (Ngar Htamin Kyaw Kyaw)

Original name: Burmese Egg Curry with Coconut Milk

A bowl of Burmese egg curry with coconut milk, showing halved hard-boiled eggs in a golden, turmeric-tinted coconut sauce, garnished with coriander and served with steamed jasmine rice.
Prep
10 mins
Cook
30 mins
Servings
4
BurmeseEasyLunchDinnerVegetarianGluten FreeDairy Free

About this dish

This Burmese egg curry is a lush, golden dish where hard-boiled eggs are simmered in a fragrant coconut milk sauce enriched with turmeric, ginger, and garlic. The eggs absorb the silky gravy, creating a comforting meal that's both simple and deeply satisfying.

In Burma, this curry is often served with rice and a squeeze of lime, and it's a beloved home-style dish that varies from family to family. The slow simmering ensures the eggs are infused with the aromatic sauce, making each bite a treasure.

Ingredients

UK and US measurements are both included for every recipe.

large eggs

protein

6

coconut oil

fat

2 tablespoons

yellow onion

vegetable

1 large

garlic cloves

herb

4 cloves

fresh ginger

herb

1 inch piece

ground turmeric

spice

1 teaspoon

chili powder

spice

1 teaspoon

coriander powder

spice

1 teaspoon

coconut milk

liquid

400 ml (about 1 2/3 cups)

Imperial measurement: 1 can (13.5 oz)

water

liquid

1/2 cup

fish sauce

seasoning

1 tablespoon

salt

seasoning

to taste

fresh cilantro leaves

herb

for garnish

Method

1

Boil the eggs

PT15M

Place the eggs in a saucepan and cover with cold water. Bring to a boil over high heat, then turn off the heat, cover, and let sit for 10 minutes. Transfer the eggs to an ice bath to stop cooking. Peel and set aside.

2

Sauté aromatics

PT8M

In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the coconut oil over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and cook until soft and translucent, about 5 to 7 minutes. Add the minced garlic and grated ginger, and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.

3

Add spices

PT1M

Stir in the turmeric, chili powder, and coriander powder. Cook for 30 seconds until the spices are aromatic and coat the onion mixture.

4

Simmer the sauce

PT5M

Pour in the coconut milk and water, and add the fish sauce. Stir to combine, bring to a gentle simmer, and let cook for 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. Season with salt to taste.

5

Add eggs

PT10M

Gently add the peeled hard-boiled eggs to the sauce. Reduce the heat to low and let the eggs simmer in the sauce for 10 minutes, turning occasionally so they absorb the flavors and take on a golden hue.

6

Finish and serve

PT1M

Serve the curry hot, garnished with fresh cilantro if desired. Perfect with steamed jasmine rice.

Equipment

  • [object Object]

Nutrition facts

420 kcal
Calories
15 g
Protein
12 g
Carbohydrates
24 g
Fat
3 g
Fiber
820 mg
Sodium

Tips

  • For an extra fragrant dish, toast the whole spices before grinding them. But if you're short on time, ground spices work wonderfully.
  • The eggs can be pricked gently with a fork a few times before adding to the sauce—this helps them absorb even more flavor.
  • To control the heat level, adjust the chili powder to your taste. Burmese curries can be spicy, but they can also be mild, it's up to you.
  • The curry tastes even better the next day, so don't hesitate to make it ahead and reheat slowly.

Serving suggestions

  • Serve with steamed jasmine rice and a wedge of lime for squeezing over the curry. A side of pickled vegetables or a simple green salad would complement the richness nicely.

Rate this recipe

No ratings yet. Be the first to rate it.

Thiri Tun

Recipe by

Thiri Tun

Specialises in Burmese cuisine

Thiri is a tea leaf salad master who ferments her own tea leaves in a clay pot. She will not tell you the recipe.

Describe yourself in three words: Mysterious, secretive, delicious.