I try Springleaf prata in a cup from a vending machine - how does it compare to the real deal?

Nothing unites Singaporeans quite like a bold take on a local favourite, especially one that sparks debate.

I figured the best way to understand the quality of this collaboration between One Halal Nation and Springleaf Prata Place is to compare the vending machine version with the original prata from Springleaf Prata Place.

Before heading to the vending machine at Mattar Road, I stopped by a Springleaf Prata Place outlet to remind myself what the original prata should taste like.

To keep things consistent, I ordered one egg prata and one plain prata at both locations.

The original experience

Most of us would know that Springleaf Prata Place is all about texture.

I headed to The Venue Shoppes outlet on a weekday afternoon and was happy to find that it offers free flow of curry (both chicken and fish) with your order.

Freshly made prata, served hot with a variety of curries to choose from — hard to beat that.

Can the vending machine match?

Now, onto the real reason you're here.

The prata in a cup vending machine is a relatively new initiative, having begun just last Thursday (July 3), as One Halal Nation's founder and director Amanda Tan told AsiaOne.

The first thing I noticed was the price difference. Two plain prata costs $3.80 at the vending machine, compared to $3 at the Springleaf Prata Place outlet.

My cup of one egg prata and one plain prata set me back $5, $0.90 more than the dine-in version. While the difference wasn't particularly outrageous, it did make me pause.

That said, I was pleasantly surprised when the cup came out warm. 

Given that the vending machine is stocked early in the morning, the prata had to be sitting in there for at least a couple of hours. So this was a win.

Here's where things began to unravel slightly.

Eating prata out of a cup was a truly strange experience — not just in concept, but in practice as well.

I found myself fumbling around with my curry sachet from the start.

I was also reluctant to pour the entire amount into my cup but I had nowhere else to put a half-empty packet either.

Curries would usually just arrive at the table in a dish, and that's it really.

With the vending machine version, I found that it requires more effort and coordination than I bargained for.

While I understand that eating prata drenched in curry could be to your liking, the entire eating experience just didn't cut it for me.

To be fair, Amanda shared that feedback on the food quality from patrons has been positive thus far.

Having given the prata in a cup a try, I would actually agree. The quality, from the curry to both types of prata, was on point.

It wasn't all that different, taste-wise, to what was offered in-store.

But, for me, serving prata and curry in a cup just loses the very reason why people enjoy a prata meal.

Dunking your prata into curry is part of the fun but when things get soggy and cumbersome to eat, you lose that enjoyment.

Amanda shared that there are plans to bring these vending machines to schools and offices.

I applaud the innovative nature of the idea, though the eating experience at this point leaves room for improvement.

If these kinks can be ironed out, the prata-in-a-cup vending machine might just be a hit among prata lovers in Singapore.

amierul@asiaone.com

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