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A curry puff (Malay: Karipap, Epok-epok; Jawi: کاريڤڤ / ايڤوق٢; Chinese: 咖哩角; pinyin: gālí jiǎo; Thai: กะหรี่ปั๊บ, RTGS: karipap, pronounced [kā.rìː.páp]) is a snack of Southeast Asian origin. It is a small pie consisting of curry with chicken and potatoes in a fried or baked pastry shell. The consistency of the curry is quite thick to prevent it from oozing out of the snack. Pap or puff reflects the Fujian Chinese dialect 泡 ('pop'), which means 'bubble, blister, puffed'. It contains influences from Indian, Malay and Chinese cuisines.
Although the origins of this snack are uncertain, the snack is believed to have originated in Maritime Southeast Asia due in part to the various influences of the British Cornish pasty, the Portuguese empanada and the Indian samosa during the colonial era. The curry puff is one of several "puff" type pastries with different fillings, though now it is by far the most common. Other common varieties include eggs, sardines, root vegetables and onions, or sweet fillings such as yam.
Many variations of the snack exist throughout Southeast Asia and India.
Indonesia
Main article: Kue pastelIndonesian pastel with vegetables and beef inside
In Indonesia, a curry puff is known as a pastel, although pastels do not necessarily contain any curry powder.
Malaysia
In Malaysia, curry puffs are commonly known as karipap and sold freshly fried at many Malay, Chinese and Indian bakeries, bazaar or even the street food stalls. The curry puffs from Indian bakeries differ from epok-epok in the use of layered pastry that creates a flaky crust.
Other varieties of the epok-epok are filled with half a boiled egg instead of chicken. Another alternative is tinned sardines. There are also vegetarian curry puffs that are not spicy and made from shredded radish, tofu, potatoes and grated carrots. They are often eaten with sweet chili sauce.
India
In Indian food bakeries, it is quite common to find vegetarian curry puffs with vegetables like potatoes, carrots and onions as fillings.
Myanmar (Burma)
The curry puff is a common snack sold in Chinatowns and tea shops throughout Myanmar, where is it known as be tha mont (ဘဲသားမုန့်; lit. 'duck meat pastry'). The traditional filling is duck meat and potato spiced with garam masala, onions, powdered chili peppers, garlic, and ginger.
Singapore
Curry puffs are commonly seen in pasar malams, bakeries and food stalls in shopping centres. Additionally, the aforementioned epok-epok is a popular variation in some of Singapore's hawker centres, usually amongst Malay stalls. Alternatively, the more common type of curry puff has a thick or flaky English-style crust, with a mixture of Chinese and Indian styles in the filling.
They may also be categorised into hand-made or mass-produced machine-made puffs in triangular shape or half wrapped circular shape. Both variations are popular in Singapore, although some might argue that the former is typically more delicious. Curry puff variations are usually denoted in coloured dye markings on the side of the puffs.
Besides the more "exotic" fillings mentioned, there are also more conventional flavours which are quite popular with the locals. These puffs are readily available in Singapore, which include sardine, black-pepper chicken and tuna fillings.
In Singapore, Old Chang Kee has been selling curry puffs for over 60 years and now has outlets all over Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Australia and UK.
Thailand
Thaikaripap normally only contains chicken, potato, onion, and curry powder
Curry puff from Malaysia
Bruneian cuisine
Indonesian cuisine by ethnicity
Malaysian cuisine by ethnicity
Singaporean cuisine
Thai cuisine