Indian food for spice lovers

I've got to know Indian food since I went to Singapore to live and study. Yet I didn't taste it until I graduated from uni. That was for 3 years long and I used to wonder why Westerners love eating Indian food so much. I remembered walking into Bizad canteen and saw a long queue of European and American students in front of Indian food stall. It was crazy and funny, I must say.

I officially tasted Indian food when I was working in hotel and got to know May, a Burmese ex-colleague. She's Muslim, speaks English, Burmese and Tamil. She loves Indian movies and TV drama series. And of course, she loves Indian food. I stayed with her for 6 months until I changed my job. It was an interesting cultural experience. There was also Lata, another Malaysian Indian ex-colleague. With their love for Indian food, they has dragged me in and out Indian restaurants and food stalls. And according to them, Blue Diamond near Mustafa is the best Indian restaurant in Singapore. I must say I agree with them whole-heartedly. Also, I prefer Northern cuisine to Southern. You've gotta try it before you understand what I'm talking about.

How about in Saigon? Where is the good place to have Indian food?

I've been back here for a year, minus time I flied back to Singapore for biz trips and shopping. Yet I've just explored Indian food since last month. That was after I get bored with Japanese, Thai, Western and Korean food. Never Vietnamese food, mind you.

The first restaurant I dined in was Tandoor, at Vo Van Tan St. Reason being it's near my house. But I wasn't impressed much. Even though it served Northern cuisine, the taste was mild at best. The only good thing was Nan, unleavened flour bread.

The second dining place I had was Saigon Indian Restaurant at Mac Thi Buoi St. Wow, this was a different class from Tandoor. Very authentic food, both North and South. Why could I be so sure? Because its food tastes nearly like what I had at Blue Diamond in Singapore. The first time I was there, I ordered Ajwanin Fish curry (sour and spicy, a must-try), Chicken Biryani (another must-try) and Cheese nan. Spicy enough for me without burning my throat. One downside was the nan, not so good as the one at Tandoor.

Tired of words? Some pictures for you...

Inside the restaurant

Plain Biryani, not so good as Chicken Biryani

Some vegetable dish, forgot the name, quite delicious!!! Originated from the South of India

Alright, this was one hella spicy dish, Chicken Vindaloo. The waitress told me that it was very sour (vinegar) and spicy (herbs). When I tasted it, I was like "oh gosh, my throat is burning", in a very good way, of course. Have lotsa water ready when taking this dish, okie?

Indulgence of the Month

It's an indulgence to find out your purse was on sale (30% discount) and you'd just gotten your salary. Here is my brand-new purse/wallet, taken by none other than my BFF...

Guess Olympia Trifold in black

Now I feel like regretting writing down that wish list. The list seems to help me to focus on buying what I was neglecting or ignoring before. Some of them require heavy investments. And I just go and turn those wishes into realities. Who else is better in grating my wishes than myself?

Anyway, back to the main topic, I fell in love with this purse quite a long time ago. I like Guess alright. The brand's got style, I must admit. But it's too bling for me, especially its bag and wallet collections. Half of its collections are too showy and heavy (litterally). Except this Olympia collection. More of my style. Since you've seen the purse, you might get what I meant. How about a look at the bag which is now on sale on its website?

Pretty, right? It's now selling at USD48. Compared with the usual price at USD80, it's a real steal. Anyone coming back from the States, please let me know and help me to grant my 10th wish. [Edit: A guess spree was open, yet the bag was OOS. Shocked and disappointed]

I'm wandering again. The trifold was selling at S$59.9 when I last saw it in Singapore. In Vietnam, the price tage was at 599k VND. A tad expensive for a wallet, I think. So when it was on sale at 30% discount, I didn't hesitate paying for it anymore. Either Guess or Mango. And Mango accessories this season are quite disappointing, being that they are leaning toward 80s trend, except sunglasses. It came with a box which I now use to put name cards inside. Quite convenient, hohohoh!!!

L'Amour

May I introduce to you my new BFF, Nokia 7373 from the L'Amour Collection?

It's been 2 and a half months my ex BFF left me at Changi Airport. I was mourning for her loss and purnished myself by forcing me to use back my very old Nokia 2650. Not a pleasant experience, I assure you. When I use the word "old", it really means old. Poor him! Had to work over time with me! Even his keypad was separated from his body!

Actually, before I decided on N7373, I was thinking about Nokia N70, N72 and 7373. In the end, 7373 has won and I found myself in accompany of her, even though I had to pay for her at retail price. So how is she? So far so good.

2 megapixel camera. Pink color for the cover, sweet and elegant. 128 MB memory card. Since I've bought a cable to connect with my lappie, I can download games or whatever I like to the phone, or vice versa, I can upload my pictures I take to my lappie immediately.

What else could I ask for in a cell phone? Love it!!!

Indulgence of the Day

It's an indulgence when you have a 2-litre tub of ice cream sitting in your fridge, waiting for you to have a go at it whenever you'd like.

This is top of my list of comfort food.

X Cream Green Tea Ice Cream - a damn big tub and chock full of goodness in it!!! You can see smoke is coming out from the tub! Of course, it's like a block of ice for all we know!

There it is! A tub full of ice cream in front of me! It's green in color. My new hp doesn't have a flash so I couldn't capture the color well. But who cares? Just look at it, I feel my mouth watering.

Have a scoop of this and you will know what heaven is like, especially in a hot day.