I’ve by no means been one to stray from my regular haunts, particularly the place meals I like is anxious. Why repair one thing that isn’t damaged, proper? That’s precisely how I’ve at all times rolled with prata. Nonetheless, after I caught wind of Crispy Roti Prata and their guarantees of, properly, crispy roti prata, I instinctively went, “Why not?”
Crispy Roti Prata is housed within the Ubi 350 Espresso Store tucked away within the depths of residential Ubi. On the danger of sounding slightly superficial, it appears like nearly any prata stall in nearly any nondescript kopitiam; you’d assume that it’s a no-frills spot that caters largely to residents.
On fairly the opposite, they’ve garnered a widespread following and rave evaluations on-line by the numerous years they’ve been there. All of it boils right down to one thing so simple as their namesake signature. The coffeeshop was bustling after I arrived, with many tucking into plates of prata and others ready for his or her orders.
Don’t count on to see a sprawling menu of quite a few sorts of prata; right here, you’ll see simply 9 easy varieties. Not less than it’ll make decision-making a breeze.
Every prata is ready contemporary to order. I watched in awe because the stall-owner deftly stretched and flipped the dough on the oiled countertop earlier than transferring every sheet to a forged iron grill.
What I attempted at Crispy Roti Prata
I don’t recall the final time I had Plain Prata (S$1.20, min. 2 items). In a world of hearty stuffed pratas that higher cater to my large urge for food and desire for stronger flavours, settling for one thing kosong simply by no means crosses my thoughts.
Nonetheless, having heard nice issues about Crispy Roti Prata’s rendition, I knew I needed to order simply that. I’m speaking about evaluations that deem it superior to the group favorite Egg Prata (S$1.80) — how might that be attainable?
From the second I set the Plain Prata down on the desk, it appeared to ship a nod my manner. Every golden-brown disc had a fragile thinness that was paying homage to a biscuit, sporting a crisply textured exterior that enveloped a mushy, doughy core. They exuded a definite buttery aroma not like any prata I’d ever had.
My first order of enterprise was to eagerly tear into the prata and I simply want you would hear the satisfying crunch it made. As I pulled off a bit in a single swift movement, flecks of its crust flaked proper off. Wow, I simply knew I used to be in for a deal with.
And certainly, the prata went down with an audible crisp in my mouth that echoed that sensation proper on. It gave option to a fluffy, flaky inside that carried a delicate savoury sweetness from the butter inside. To my delight, it wasn’t excessively greasy both. I by no means thought it attainable to get pleasure from prata with none type of curry or sauce, not to mention a plain one. However there we have been, and I used to be floored.
In fact, every order of prata was served with some fish curry on the facet. It had a viscous consistency and sported a promising vibrant orange hue. The bits of fish scattered inside have been a welcome shock.
Whereas I appreciated how clean and thick the curry was, it was sadly tepid and fairly one-dimensional. Its predominant flavour profile—or lack thereof—was a subdued tang; it lacked the strong spices and fragrant complexities attribute of a stellar Indian curry.
For good measure, I put its pairing with my Plain Prata to the take a look at. Yep, the prata was higher off loved by itself. I reckon it’d go properly with a sprinkle of sugar, although.
Shifting on, I opted for my regular order of Egg & Cheese Prata (S$2.50). This best-of-both-worlds mixture is infallible to me, and I used to be all of the extra excited to attempt the promised crispy tackle this usually mushy and doughy creation.
The prata was noticeably thicker and doughier than its Plain counterpart, although it wasn’t an issue by any means, with filling and all. Nonetheless, it did appear as if the substances have been concentrated in its backside half.
Golden-brown as its exterior did seem, the crunch sadly by no means got here for this one. Tearing into it was anticlimactic, to say the least.
Peeling again the crust revealed a shiny layer of melted cheese atop a layer of fluffy egg. Nonetheless, I used to be fairly perplexed by how the prata itself lacked the distinct creamy savouriness of cheese and was as an alternative dominated by the earthy flavours of the egg. It sadly leaned in the direction of the dry facet, too.
General, I’d say that whereas the Egg & Cheese Prata definitely wasn’t inedible, it was mediocre at greatest.
My last conquest was the Hen Murtabak (S$6). Though I’d by no means eaten it earlier than, the mere description of this stuffed flatbread was sufficient to persuade me to order one.
Name me a frog within the properly, however my eyes widened on the sight of the Murtabak. It was definitely a showstopper, stretching the total size of a big rectangular plate. As with its prata counterparts, it sported an inviting brown crust. Beneath the crisp exterior, a medley of vibrant substances peeked out, solely including to its attract.
The murtabak was reduce into bite-sized items, every equally full of bits of rooster, egg and onions that spilt out from the edges — I child you not.
Sadly, it fell wanting what I had anticipated. Maybe I had my expectations set slightly too excessive, however the murtabak did not ship on flavour because it did on visible enchantment.
My most important gripe was with the bits of rooster — they have been a tad dry, with a cumin-heavy profile that overshadowed the opposite components. Furthermore, I had hoped that the onions would add slightly flavour depth and reduce by the overwhelming spice, however they have been disappointingly bland.
Regardless of that, I appreciated the textural distinction the crunchy onions lent to the chewy rooster and mushy egg. However, the murtabak crust itself lacked a crisp that will’ve tied all of it collectively; it felt like I used to be biting right into a limp piece of tortilla wrap as an alternative.
Regardless, I need to laud the generosity in substances; the Hen Murtabak delivered worth for cash above all.
Closing Ideas
So, does Crispy Roti Prata reside as much as its title? Fact be instructed, I can’t definitively agree or disagree. The place the aspect of crispiness is anxious, their crowd favorite Plain Prata undoubtedly reigned supreme.
However, the Egg & Cheese and the Hen Murtabak proved lacklustre in that enviornment. Nonetheless, I definitely perceive the problem of attaining a crispy crust that holds up properly with all these substances inside. Nonetheless, I’d say that they have been pretty common and value a attempt provided that you’re within the space and are on the lookout for a good prata repair.
The identical can’t be mentioned for the Plain Prata, although! I completely wouldn’t thoughts travelling for it once more, so long as I don’t discover a crispier different elsewhere!
