Singapore sour over assam laksa

KUALA LUMPUR: Penang assam laksa's rise to the CNN top 10 ranking of most delicious food in the world has rankled foodies in the neighbouring country down south. The Straits Times reported that food consultant Violet Oon, 62, expressed surprise that its chilli crab was only ranked 35th instead. “One reason could be that we don't have many Singapore restaurants abroad, so not many people have tasted it,” said the Singaporean.

Number 7: A vendor in Penang preparing bowls of assam laksa in this file picture.

A CNN International food survey recently said the assam laksa was the seventh out of the its 50 most delicious food in the world. At number 35 was Singapore's famed chilli crab, while its chicken rice was at 45th spot. Thailand's massaman curry topped the list and was described as “king of all foods.”

Another commenter on the English daily website, known as Stomper crabby, questioned the ranking. “My foodie friends disagree with the list, and how can our famous chilli crab only come in at No. 35?” he questioned. A person who tweeted by the name of Mr Brown has also criticised CNN for badly reviewing Singapore's chilli crab. “Any site that does a World's 50 most delicious foods & puts Singapore Chili Crab at 35th has no right to review food,” he posted in his twitter account.

However, local chefs tipped their hat proudly to the heritage dish. Chef Florence Tan who praised the assam laksa's quality and texture, said it was “very good for those who want to lose weight” due to its rich use of fish stock, fish meat and asam gelugor (dried tamarind skin). However, she said she had never tasted any chicken rice that “blew her hat off” in Singapore.

Celebrity Chef Ismail Ahmad said he was “very, very proud” Malaysian food was recognised and commended Thailand on taking first place. “However, I would say chili crabs and chicken rice are 100% Malaysian,” he said, explaining that it was brought over when Malaysia and Singapore split in 1963. Penang food columnist Helen Ong said its famous char kuey teow was “just as good and unique”.

-thestar online.