You’ll Find The Nicest Prata Uncle at The Old Railway Station

photo by bookjunkie

This is where the magic happens! Ghee is used to spread the kneaded dough on the hot plate. The Ghee which is clarified butter from cow’s milk and which has the most fragrant smell makes Indian dishes and desserts artery clogging, as well as super tasty.

photo by bookjunkie

The prata uncle at the Hasan Food Stall by the Old Tanjong Pagar Railway was the nicest  I have ever met.  He must be Malaysian because I think Malaysians are the nicest people around.  I just loved their chilled out and patience manner.  As a child every time I crossed the causeway for a holiday, I actually asked my parents how come the people are nicer in Malaysia!  It was incredible that even a child of six could tell the difference.  My partner’s theory is that people get meaner when they are less space in every sense of the word.  I guess crowds and out stressful society make me frustrated too, so it must have a measure of truth.

Anyway I digress as usual. The whole experience was in total contrast to the rude prata experience I had at a prata place called RK.  Anyway back to the nice uncle.  He was so sweet and soft-spoken and didn’t mind us intrusively and sneakily taking photos.  He kindly asked me to be careful of the hot plates as the curry had just been freshly topped up.  He even gave us a choice of curries.  I choose a fish curry as well as a thalcha (curry with a dhal or lentil base).

photo by bookjunkie

photo by bookjunkie

I love the slices of onion and egg that’s cooked with the prata I ordered. So yummy.  Besides the service, the quality of the prata was top-notch too.  I love my pratas chewy and old style.  Some people prefer their pratas very thin and crispy so they might not enjoy this as much.  I absolutely loved it and hope somehow when the railway opens again this uncle will be invited to run a stall at the same rental (I have very high hopes).  It would be such a waste of talent if he were to go home to Malaysia or India to retire.  I am just assuming he is not Singaporean, he just might be one of the nice ones.

photo by bookjunkie

With my prata I had lovely Teh Alia which is Indian Style Milk Tea with condensed milk and fresh ginger juice added.  It went perfectly with the doughy goodness. Be sure to come in light clothing as it can get a little hot and stuffy especially after you indulge in a yummy hot and spicy meal.

photo by bookjunkie

This is where you get your drink fix.  I just noticed they have the coloured drinks we used to have a kids in the 70’s.  I wouldn’t dare try them as I remember they tasted super sweet and with an artificial kinda taste.

photo by bookjunkie

The goreng pisang (Malay style fried banana in batter) here is really good, but I was too full to have them today. The price is great too.  Just a dollar for 5 pieces.

photo by bookjunkie

photo by bookjunkie

I didn’t get a good shot of the prices, but it’s so much cheaper here than in prata shops in other parts of the island. I am really gonna miss the Old Keppel Railway the way it is right now. I truly hope that authorities realise what a treasure these food service professionals are and help them by maintaining the rent. They are a main reason why people come here and most customers have been loyal regulars for years.

About bookjunkie

Blogging about life in Singapore & recently cancer too.
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