Serving genuine briyani and mandi rice in beneficiant parts

There are solely two situations the place I’d go to Geylang. The primary could be in the course of the yearly Ramadan bazaar, and the opposite occasions are on a strict “for me to know, so that you can discover out” foundation. With Cafe Mariam, I may need simply discovered my third cause. 

Eunos MRT is the closest cease to Cafe Mariam, however since I keep in Woodlands, it doesn’t change the truth that it was a probably two hour-ride back and forth. I hit the jackpot when my consuming buddies agreed to go there by automotive, and since Cafe Mariam solely operates from 11am to 3pm on Monday to Thursdays, we did all we might to keep away from the lunch crowd.

Cafe Mariam isn’t simply your run-off-the-mill briyani restaurant. Its proprietor and chef, Hassan, has briyani flowing by means of his bloodline. His father and uncle are the bosses of the well-known Islamic Restaurant, established in 1921 by Hassan’s grandfather. To say the person is aware of his stuff could be an enormous understatement. Hassan additionally scorches the meat utilizing two butane torches earlier than serving.

I realised the seats had been fairly restricted, so one might solely think about the chaos that ensued throughout lunchtime. The menu too was restricted, with solely briyani and mandi rice being supplied with completely different protein choices.

What I attempted at Cafe Mariam

I had the Mutton Briyani (S$9) to begin off with. It was served with a small cup of curry and a aspect of acar (bitter and spicy greens). I might see the chunks of mutton lined beneath layers of basmati rice very clearly. It was like a mountain of goodness, urging me to discover it. 

Other than being served on a platter, it didn’t appear like something out of the odd. The truth is, I’d say it was missing in papadoms and a cucumber-based acar, however hey I’m not the briyani whisperer. Sadly, my first chunk was an underwhelming one. I anticipated the robust flavours of nutmeg, mace and fennel seeds to hit my senses, however what I obtained was however a whiff. 

Fortunately, because the variety of spoonfuls grew, so did the flavours. Lastly, I had that aromatic briyani aroma that I used to be so accustomed to at any time when I ate this dish. Might this be the genuine briyani expertise that everybody has been raving about? Nevertheless, I used to be let down by the shortage of saffron spice, although it might have been right down to the batch that I had (0.5 grams of saffron value S$12.15!).

Not like the rice, I couldn’t get used to the curry, which had been served on the aspect. There was a robust tomato-ey style that didn’t agree with me, even once I had it with the rice. 

We tried Singapore’s worst-rated briyani stall

Cafe Mariam didn’t skimp on the mutton parts. I counted not less than 5 lamb chunks and a portion of a rib. The chunks had been additionally expertly minimize; it was stuffed with meat with little or no fats, in contrast to most briyani stalls that I do know of. The meat was actually tender and had robust hints of cinnamon and cumin. 

I discovered the gameyness of the mutton to be simply good, although my consuming buddies thought it was barely an excessive amount of for them. Oh nicely, extra mutton for me!

Subsequent, I had the Hen Mandi Rice (S$7.50), which was additionally served on the identical platter. It wasn’t robust-looking and had the looks of steamed rice. It was served with a aspect of salad consisting of tomatoes, cabbage shreds, carrots and olives. Two sauces had been additionally given: a home made yoghurt sauce and spicy inexperienced sauce.

The rice tasted strongly of ghee (clarified butter) with a slight smokey contact in the direction of the top. I believed it was going to style like the way it seemed (aka like washed-out briyani), however I used to be pleasantly improper. There have been additionally items of peppercorns and cloves that added to the general perfume of the dish.

The refined and neutral-tasting mandi rice was accompanied by complementing sauces. The home made yoghurt supplied a milky and tangy contact to every spoonful, and was refreshing. The opposite chilli sauce really jogged my memory of salsa, because it tasted like jalapenos and even supplied the identical warmth. Suffice to say, the kick made an already pleasant chunk an addicting one.

I’d advise in opposition to pouring the sauces immediately on the dish, as you would possibly miss out on the subtlety that the rice supplies. Plus, when consumed in big dollops, it’d overpower every other style particularly with the warmth.

I’m very hardly ever impressed by rooster, however Cafe Mariam made theirs the spotlight of my lunch. Initially, I had thought that the sunshine torching from the butane torch was merely for present, however the smokey flavour actually permeated your entire piece of rooster. The charred a part of the pores and skin additionally gave it a slight but satisfying crunch.

I used to be additionally shocked at how simply the meat slid off from the bone with solely the usage of my spoon— I by no means had rooster this nicely cooked! The rooster was juicy and tasted naturally candy. In the direction of the top, I discovered the right combo of salsa and yoghurt with each chunk of rice and rooster.

Have I had flavourful rooster earlier than? Sure, however I’ve by no means had the possibility to understand such splendidly executed rooster meat till at the moment.

Lastly, to scrub every part down, I had Teh (S$1.50). Just like the meals, the new milk tea was balanced in its flavors. The chilly climate made this drink much more satisfying because the sweetness helped to chop by means of the wealthy flavours of rice and meat.

Remaining ideas

Cafe Mariam serves scrumptious and genuine briyani and mandi rice at a superb worth with beneficiant portion sizes. What extra can I say? Undoubtedly make Cafe Mariam one in every of your decisions when you had been to eat out as a bunch or when you’re in search of a cool funds date thought. 

If I might solely advocate one dish, be sure to attempt the Hen Mandi Rice and thank me later. As for the situation, the meals coma that ensues after a meal makes travelling a part of the eating expertise at Cafe Mariam.

Anticipated injury: S$7.50 – S$16.50 per pax

Koothurar Nasi Briyani: Fall-off-the-bone mutton & juicy rooster on basmati at Seashore Street