Best Of Singapore Hawkers & Casual Dining: Bhindi Masala

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Best Of Singapore Hawkers & Casual Dining: Bhindi Masala

Bhindi Masala
Bhindi Masala



Nothing was sponsored, we visited as regular paying customers. Photos in this post were taken between 2000 and 2022 (across 22 years!), as such, the quality of photos varies drastically due to advances in camera technology. Mobile smartphones were in their infancy and had yet to become widespread.


Also Known As:
Bhindi Masala, Bhendi Masala, Okra Masala, Lady's Finger Masala


Average Price Per Serving:
SGD $5 - $18








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Description:
The Bhindi Masala is a Singaporean Indian vegetarian dish that consists of spiced lady's fingers / okra and red onions, stir-fried and served in a mild tomato-based curry gravy. Also known as Bhendi Masala, Okra Masala, or Lady's Finger Masala, the Bhindi Masala dish is usually priced around SGD $5 to $18 per serving. It's a homely curry that is usually eaten during lunch, dinner, or supper.

The Bhindi Masala is usually prepared in North Indian style, which features a creamy thick 'wet' curry gravy, with the sticky chunky 'dry' curry paste version being less common. The key spices used include ginger paste, garlic paste, whole cumin seeds, salt, powdered turmeric, powdered coriander, and powdered chili. Other spices used vary from stall to stall, but may include amchoor / powdered mango, powdered fennel, powdered asafoetida / asafetida, kalonji / nigella seeds, or powdered garam masala.

The lady's fingers / okra in Bhindi Masala is made less slimy and sticky, by ensuring the ingredient is completely dry before chopping, and by lightly sautéing / pan-frying it in vegetable oil. The spices are lightly fried, after which the chopped lady's fingers / okra, red onions, and tomatoes are added and coated. Other ingredients may also be added depending on the stall, the most common include bell peppers / capsicum, carrots, mint leaves, or shallots. The vegetables in the Bhindi Masala dish will have a tender soft texture without being mushy, and mild vegetal savoury salty spice flavour.

Typically served as a main dish accompanied by bread or rice, Bhindi Masala is considered relatively healthy and wholesome due to its nutritional value (provided less oil is used in preparation). Being high in vitamin K, folate, fibre, and iron, Bhindi Masala is said to promote blood health, and the low calories make it suitable for diets. It's also great for vegetarians and vegans.


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1. ABC Nasi Kandar Restaurant
@ 67 Desker Road
Opening Hours: Daily 24 Hours

Taken in 2021


Taken in 2021


Bhindi Masala (SGD $3.50) @ ABC Nasi Kandar Restaurant.

Possibly the most wallet-friendly rendition of this dish, with the sliced okra having a tender soft texture without being mushy, and mild vegetal savoury salty spice flavour.

The thick gravy is only mildly spicy, with a more pronounced vegetal sweet savoury flavour.

With lady's fingers being high in vitamin K, fibre, iron, and folate, this is said to promote blood health.





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2. Al-Ameen Eating House / Ameen Makan House
@ 4 Cheong Chin Nam Road
Opening Hours: Daily 11am – 4am

Taken in 2012


Taken in 2021


Taken in 2021


Bhindi Masala (SGD $6) @ Al-Ameen Eating House.

The rich thick curry gravy has mild vegetal sweet savoury spice flavour, with a distinct hint of the chunky juicy tomatoes within.

The okra retains a pleasant tender crunch, picking up the flavours of the curry well. Best paired with rice or bread.

The low calories make it suitable for diets, including vegetarians and vegans.





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3. Al-Azhar Restaurant
@ 11 Cheong Chin Nam Road
Opening Hours: Daily 8am – 2am

@ 970 Geylang Road #01-02
Opening Hours: Daily 12pm – 12am

@ 201D Tampines Street 21 #01-1155
Opening Hours: Daily 8am – 11:30pm

Taken in 2021


Taken in 2021


Bhindi Masala (SGD $6.80) @ Al-Azhar Restaurant.

Generous with long slim lady's fingers, tender juicy crunchy texture with vegetal sweet savoury spice flavour.

The thick tomato-based curry gravy is mildly spiced, easy to pick up with bread. Warm and comforting, like a hug.

Portion size is slightly larger than elsewhere, making this good value.





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4. Madura's Restaurant
@ Paya Lebar Square, 60 Paya Lebar Road #01-08
Opening Hours: Daily 11:30am – 9:30pm

@ 115 Syed Alwi Road
Opening Hours: Daily 12pm – 1am

Taken in 2021


Taken in 2021


Bhindi Masala (SGD $8.90) @ Madura's Restaurant.

The curry here borders between paste and gravy, being thick and velvety, with deep vegetal earthy savoury spice notes and a hint of sweet on the tail.

Their okra is more skinny than elsewhere, with a satisfying crunch, picking up on the flavours of the curry.

More chunks of juicy tomato would be welcome, but this remains an overall satisfying rendition.





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5. The Banana Leaf Apolo
@ 56 Race Course Road
Opening Hours: Daily 10:30am – 10:30pm

@ Downtown East, 1 Pasir Ris Close #01-309
Opening Hours: Daily 10:30am – 10pm

@ 20 Sixth Avenue
Opening Hours: Daily 11am – 10pm

@ Rivervale Mall, 11 Rivervale Crescent #02-10
Opening Hours: Daily 11am – 10pm

@ 48 Serangoon Road
Opening Hours: Daily 10:30am – 10:30pm

Taken in 2012


Taken in 2021


Taken in 2021


Taken in 2021


Bhindi Masala (SGD $10.90) @ The Banana Leaf Apolo.

Their rendition of this wholesome curry stands out for being packed with fresh vegetables.

There's juicy tomatoes, crunchy okra, and crisp red onions, bright and chunky with vegetal sweet flavour.

The curry gravy itself is light, with mild sweet spice savoury notes, so you still get the natural freshness of the vegetables.





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- Annalakshmi Janatha Restaurant – Still Operating But With Different Kitchen Team & Menu
@ Central Square, 20 Havelock Road #01-04

Taken in 2012






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- Bar Bar Black Sheep – Still Operating But With Different Kitchen Team & Menu
@ Cluny Court, 501 Bukit Timah Road #01-05C – Branch Closed

@ 362 Tanjong Katong Road – Branch Closed

Taken in 2015






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