Singapore is a melting pot of different cultures that sometimes come together in unlikely but unique ways.
A pair of Chinese hawkers selling Indian dishes is an example of this.
Operating a stall in a Jurong East coffee shop, the father-and-son duo recently found themselves in the limelight for their roti prata with a twist.
By far, the most unique trait about them is their curry. Featuring a Chinese take on the iconic delicacy, it’s sure to leave a lasting impression on customers.
Roger Seah manages Xie Jia Chinese Prata in a Jurong East kopitiam with his father, Seah Kian Huat. Together, they sell roti prata alongside other dishes like lontong and french toast.
Speaking to MS News, Roger shared that his family has always been in the kopitiam business.
The idea to make and sell prata came from their relatives. Noticing that stalls selling the dish were rather rare in the area, they decided to take up the trade.
Source: Facebook
The art of shaping the prata dough, however, is known to be rather tricky. While the older Mr Seah took three months to perfect his prata-making, Roger got it in “two to three weeks”.
“It’s tough,” Roger admitted. “The dough breaks apart in the middle.”
The pair then opened Xie Jia Chinese Prata and have been in business for the past four years.
Their stall is a certified hit in Yuhua Village Market & Food Centre, where they get a plethora of customers of all ethnicities.
Quite a few of them are regulars, visiting the stall nearly every day.
“Except for one or two days, I see them daily,” Roger laughed.
What stands out the most about Xie Jia Chinese Prata, however, is its Chinese-style curry.
A paler orange colour compared to the deeper shade at most typical Indian stalls, it boasts a pretty unique taste.
Less spice-laden than other curries, its strong coconut flavour is sure to be a treat for patrons — and explains why diners keep returning for more.
Source: Facebook
Only chicken curry is available, a favourite among patrons. Customers will also be able to purchase a bowl of curry chicken at S$5.50, along with rice that’s sold separately.
The prices for prata at Xie Jia Chinese Prata start from S$1.20 for a minimum of two plain pieces. Eight variations of the delicacy are on the menu, including plain onion and mushroom with egg.
That’s not all the stall offers. For instance, customers can enjoy other local dishes, such as a bowl of lontong with vegetable curry.
Curry chicken noodles are also available, as well as French toast in three flavours — plain, egg and cheese.
For those interested to check out the stall for yourself, here’s how to get there:
Xie Jia Chinese Prata
Address: #01-25 Yuhua Village Market & Food Centre, 254 Jurong East Street 24, Singapore 600254
Opening Hours: 5.30am – 12.30pm daily
Nearest MRT: Chinese Garden Station
The hawker centre is also accessible by bus services 174, 180, 185, 187, 333 and 98.
The beauty of living in a multiracial and multicultural society is that we get to enjoy special fusion dishes like the Seahs’ prata.
Their efforts in setting up a unique name for themselves have certainly paid off.
If you have the time and happen to be in the area, do drop by Yuhua Village Market and Food Centre to pay them a visit.
Have news you must share? Get in touch with us via email at news@mustsharenews.com.
Featured image adapted from MS News and Facebook.
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