Celeb Chow with comedian Kumar

Nothing - and no one - is safe when you're hanging out with Kumar.

While having his picture taken with his thosai at Srisun Express, the 48-year-old comedian and drag queen joked around by the pointing the conical Indian pancake at this reporter, like a bazooka.

"I can use this as a weapon," he said with a laugh.

Later, as Kumar gazed at the towering tissue prata on his plate, it fell over, leading him to let out a squeak.

Kumar is a regular fixture at Srisun Express in Serangoon Garden Way, which was opened by a friend.

"The Indian food here is good and affordable, and I like how they keep things interesting with different dishes," he said.

For instance, the mee goreng special Kumar ordered came with cheese fries. He also had tandoori chicken, the aforementioned paper thosai and tissue prata.

"My favourite is the mee goreng. I can't put my finger on exactly why it's so good, but the spices just make it so delicious.

"The tandoori chicken is nice and tender, and you don't need the mint sauce because it's tasty on its own."

Kumar will perform at stand-up comedy show Happy Ever Laughter, a medical-themed laugh fest featuring other local comedians like Hossan Leong and Suhaimi Yusof, which runs at the Theatre from Oct 26 to Nov 6.

What is a typical Deepavali meal?

Every year, I have a huge party. I'll decorate my house to the max and invite friends and loved ones over.

Usually I'll cater the food, and it has to be Indian because a lot of my non-Indian friends will look forward to that. This year, I will probably get it from Srisun Express; I will definitely order the mee goreng, along with briyani, tandoori chicken, mutton, fish tikka and brinjal dishes.

Deepavali is one day when I allow myself to cheat and pig out.

What's your idea of comfort food?

Curry puffs and thosai. I just love thosai; it's light and fluffy but unfortunately it's fattening. I also love Chinese food, like our local wonton mee. I realised the version in Hong Kong is different from ours, because they have only the wonton. When I ordered the dish there, I actually asked, "Where's my char siew?"

What are some of your favourite eating spots?

I'm not usually picky but I believe the best mee soto is at Inspirasi Stall in Bedok Interchange Food Centre. Usually though, I'll just eat wherever is convenient, like the chicken rice stall below my place. And I always get birthday cakes from Hilton Hotel, because they are just fantastic.

Can you cook?

I started cooking three or four years ago, when I got my own place. I find going to the supermarket so shiok; it's my personal relaxation time. I think Peranakan food is the hardest to make, and Western is the easiest. If someone is coming over to my house, I can whip up a spaghetti dish in 30 minutes.

Is there anything you don't eat?

I developed an allergy to seafood five years ago, so now I can't binge on it any more. I also won't eat bizarre food like lizards, frogs and suckling pigs.

FYI

WHAT: Happy Ever Laughter

WHERE: Esplanade Theatre

WHEN: Oct 26 to Nov 6 (Tue to Sat: 8pm, also Sat & Sun: 3pm)

lisat@sph.com.sg

This article was first published on October 19, 2016.
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