Got to be decisive. I quickly joined the line. The queue cleared pretty quickly even though a few people ahead of me tabao-ed (takeaway) many pieces in bagfuls. Waiting time was about 15 minutes.
Lady was deftly cooking with six bowl shaped pans (appachatty pan) in one go. She was making soft clanging sounds as she opened and closed the lids. The rhythm was like some kind of cymbal music, keeping my eyes and ears entertained as I moved up in the queue. I was amazed at her skill.
Sri Aachi Aappakadai have classic appam and some more fanciful varieties, all freshly made and at affordable prices.
I couldn't decide between the classic and egg appam. Settled for the classic two piece set which come with red sugar and a cup of milk in a Styrofoam cup.
The steamy centre was a snowy white, moist soft, fluffy sponge cake, hot to touch. It tasted gently sweet with a subtle tanginess and hint of coconut milk. There's also a subtle rice and coconut fragrance. It's a delicate balance of flavours and aroma - refreshing and delicious.
I like it that the appam at Sri Aachi Aappakadai have a thick spongy rice cake in the middle. I prefer this over those appam which are flat in the middle.
Eating the spongy centre with red sugar and milk added more layers of sweet flavours.
The crispy fringe was thin, light and crackly. The sweet fringe was even nicer with additional sweetness from red sugar and milk.
I so enjoyed the classic appam that I easily convinced myself that I have room to squeeze in the egg appam too ๐ So, I joined the 15 minute queue one more time ๐
This time, I learnt that besides the red sugar and milk, I can have grated coconut to go with my appam. The trick is simply to request for it ๐
Same crispy browned fringe with the spongy cake in the middle, but this time with a soft cooked egg encased inside.
The egg inside was warm and runny.
The classic sweet tangy taste with hint of coconut sweetness and fragrance was complemented with egginess. The egg appam was nice but truth be told, I prefer the more delicate sweet, tangy and coconut taste of the classic appam.
I haven't eaten much appam, especially recently but my love for this old Tamil dish was rekindled after Sri Aachi Aappakadai.
I love appam.
Where else can I get great appam in Singapore and Johor?
Written by Tony Boey on 20 Nov 2021
ghim moh food centre has a stall selling appam as well. last went pre pandemic though. but should be still there.
ReplyDeleteYes yes its Heavens appam. I just tried and got a post on it. Thank you ๐๐
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