ATP is always searching for tips on good Pakistani food (see here), and as I have a long history with food experiments myself (see here). So here is my new discovery.
On our last trip to buy oriental grocery we were surprised beyond words to find ‘Tsingtao Curry Samosa‘ and ‘Paratha - which taste like authentic Indian’ in a refrigerator.
Both of these items were made in China. We immediately bought both items and I must confess they both tasted very good. Samosa filling was made of Chinese curry and Parathas were puff Parathas. You gotta taste them to believe me.
Today I couldn’t resist and took these photos of ‘made in China’ samosa box to share with all of you.
For those who are really interested in knowing the recipe’ of this Chinese samosa, here are the ingredients which I am faithfully copying from the box:
Cabbage, Wheat Flour, Water, Potato, Mushroom, Onion, Carrot, Vegetable Oil, Sugar, Salt, Soy Sauce and Curry powder.
I believe there is a big food export business going on between China and South Asia. On a trip to China in 2001, I met a businessman from Mumbai who was manufacturing ‘Chinese dumplings’ in India and exporting them to China.
Now after writing all this I must also state that - with all due respect to China or India - no one can beat the taste of Samosas sold in United Bakery, Karimabad Chowrangi Karachi.
As the poet says:
jo maza chajjoo de chobaaray
O na Balkh na Bukhaaray
The enjoyment that one gets on a native street corner
cannot be found in either Balkh or Bukhara
They can Asim… aap hum ko Shaan Masala ki India distribution rights dilwa dein…
Nice post. Beyond the funny in this, the real question is why can’t Pakistani companies do this. Any entrepreneurs out there; here is an idea. I can;t imagine that labor is cheaper in China nor that the technology involved is too complex. So, why not?
I remember 2 ‘ashaar’ on Delhi’s memorablia. They go like this:
aaya Deccan se khilat din raas ke waastay
aur naqad behr-e-zaad-e-safar os ke waastay
go haath se ye maal bhi choRa na jana tha
par muNh bhi apna Dilli se moRa na jana tha
Aam I would certainly understand, and mithai, and halwa too… Mirza Sahib was, as we Lahoris say, a chatkhoora … But Samosas, which is where this post began, samosas and Ghalib I have a harder time imagining together :-) I do not know why, maybe he did have a thing for samosas too, and why not! ;-)
BTW, reminds me of that great humorous poem by Dilawar Figar on Ghalib’s anniversary. Will try to dig it up.
What a topic! I couldnt resist adding…I remember many years ago when I was in Delhi, walking through Ballimaraan Galis (Streets of Ballimaraan)in old Delhi late at night, and savoring some delectable Shaami Kebabs sold on the street….most wouldnt try them coz of the hygiene factor, but it was special just being so near Ghalib’s house….which by the way wasnt been taken care of at all…I wonder if it is in better condition now.
Walking the streets that Ghalib did in search of paratha and halwa - priceless! What a wonderful thought!
HJ
Sridhar, thanks for taking us to a culinary tour of delhi. i hope i get to visit it someday soon and i do believe the samosas and paratha there are as good as you said. Many dishes in Pakistan owe their origin to Delhi area
Saadia, thanks for taking time out and writing a thoughtful piece on low cost manufacturing. This is indeed a challenge and a lot needs to be learned from how the Chinese are able to do it.
@Sridhar
Multan’s Sohan Halwa is very famous all over Pakistan !!!