- Indian cuisine in Singapore
Indian cuisine in Singapore refers to food and beverages produced and consumed in Singapore that are derived, wholly or in part, from South Asian culinary traditions. The great variety of Singapore food includes Indian food, which tends to be
Tamil cuisine and especially local Tamil Muslim cuisine, although North Indian food has become more visible recently. Indian dishes have become modified to different degrees, after years of contact with other Singapore cultures, and in response to locally available ingredients as well as changing local tastes. The local forms of Indian food may be seen as localised or even regional variations of Indian food, or in some cases, a form of hybrid Indian-Singaporean cuisine. Popular 'Indian' dishes and elements of Indian cuisine (although sometimes prepared and sold by non-Indians) include:*
Achar -Indian pickle of mixed vegetables. Now also served by Chinese and Malays with their traditional food.
* Nasibiryani - Popular Indian muslim dish ofsaffron rice and meat. It is sold by both Indians and Malays, and is essential at Malay weddings. [Tan, p.93.]
*Curry - The basic Indian vegetable or meat gravy. It is now ubiquitous in local Chinese and Malay 'traditional' cuisine. A Peranakan example isLaksa , whose name derives from the Sanskrit for 'hundred thousand'. [Tan, p.108.] A Eurasian example isDevil curry , while a Chinese example isChilli crab . [Tan, p.113.]
*Fish head curry - Iconic Singapore dish, invented by Indians (specifically one Mr.Gomez) for the Chinese palate which values textures. Not found in India. [Tan, p.109.]
* IndianRojak -Salad of deep fried battered potatoes, eggs, seafood, tofu and other items. Served with a hot and sweet chilli sauce. The dish does not exist in India and is unique to Singapore and its region. [Tan, p.86.]
* IndianMee goreng - Chinese yellow noodles, prepared 'Indian style' and fried with spices, minced meat, green peas and potatoes. [Tan, p.112.]
*Murtabak - A hearty pan-fried pastry stuffed chicken, mutton and sardines.
*Roti john - A split, panfriedbaguette topped with egg, minced mutton and onions, and served withketchup . [Tan, p.99.]
*Roti Prata - 'Singapore's answer to thecroissant '. A popular supper after leaving nightclubs. Variations includedurian andcheese prata.
*Teh tarik - Literally 'pulled tea', named after its preparation technique. Compared to thecappuccino because of its frothy top.Other dishes were popular during the colonial period, when Indian ingredients and other culinary influences spread with the Empire to places like Singapore. Many of them endure in some homes and restaurants. Some of these dishes include:
*
Mince with potatoes and peas - a pork mince cooked with cloves and soya sauce. Similar to Goanese quema and Indian kheema. [Tan, p.16.]
*Mulligatawny soup - An Anglo-Indian peppery curried soup, derived from the Tamilrasam . [Tan, p.20.]
* Fishmoolie - a spicy fish and coconut dish of possible Portuguese and/or Indian origin. [Tan, p.20.]
*Curry tiffin - Another Anglo-Indian tradition, with the name derived from an Indian term for lunch. Features a curry as a main dish with various side dishes. [Tan, p.21.]
* Porkvindaloo - Derived from a Goan vinegared curry, which likely came to Malacca with the Portuguese in the 16th century. Now considered a Eurasian dish. [Tan, p.101.]
* Spicedmutton chops - Deep fried spicy mutton chops historically prepared by one Ujagar Singh at St Gregory Lane in Singapore. [Tan, p.115.]There are also many other Indian foods that are less widely available foods, but which can still be found in several areas serving a more specifically Indian clientel, especially in and around
Little India, Singapore . These includeappam ,bhatura ,chutney ,sambar ,idli ,muruku ,putu mayam ,samosa ,tandoori ,thosai ,upma and various sweets, includingjalebi ,halva ,laddu ,paayasam andgulab jamun .Notes
References
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