I was one of you two years back so here’s a quick guide that hopefully helps you.
1. Pressure Cooker
Pressure cookers are most commonly used in India which means you get a large variety and the cheapest options here. There are lots to choose from but unfortunately, I didn’t get a chance to check them out because I got 3 pressure cookers as a gift for the wedding, of which 2 I carried with me to Singapore.
If you are single or just married, you will only need a small one, probably 3-5 litres. However, I would recommend getting one of those with tiered racks inside where you can keep multiple things at the same time – like rice, dal, and some vegetable. That would save a lot of time. Otherwise, its a good idea to carry 2 small pressure cookers, one for rice and one for dal or any vegetable you may want to cook up.
Hawkins and Prestige are brands you can trust.
2. Mixie
Indian cooking involves a fair bit of grinding and nothing does a job as good as an Indian mixer grinder can. It takes up some space for sure but I highly recommend lugging a mixie across the shores, you will definitely not regret it.
Sumeet is the most popular and best brand of mixie available. Mine is almost 16 years old, my aunt used it before me, and it still works better than a new model from any other brand would. Having said that, my family is heavily biased towards Sumeet and we haven’t tried anything else. Also, apparently the company has gone through a major rehaul in recent years and they don’t make them like they used to. Preethi is also supposedly good so check it out.
A big jar and a spice grinding jar should be enough but if your mixie comes with 3 jars, pack them all in.
A good substitute for the small spice mixer is the coffee grinders you get abroad. This is hearsay and I haven’t tried it out myself. You can also get a food processor as a substitute for a mixie but consider yourself warned, it may not work as well.
3. Tawa, Dosa / Chapathi Griddle
This is probably something you can get abroad and you definitely do in Singapore. But, its considerably more expensive and you get only one kind. Since a tawa is relatively less heavy, you could easily pick up one from India. Take your pick from non-stick, hard anodised, iron, or aluminium. I would personally recommend the non-stick, if you are not entirely against the concept. It’s the easiest to use and maintain. This is for rotis, by the way. You do need separate tawa for roti and dosa since dosas will stick mercilessly to a tawa that’s used for rotis no matter how much onion you rub on it or how much oil you pour on. I use a cast iron tawa for dosa and a non-stick (hard anodised as well) one for rotis and I am very happy with these.
4. Kadai / Karai / Cheena Chatti
A kadai is something I didn’t expect to have to bring from home, but interestingly, it was tough to find one in Singapore (unless you get one from a really expensive brand). The only kind I found here were the wide pans that came with no lids so I was super grateful for the non-stick Prestige kadai that I packed as an after-thought. I use it to make pretty much all sabzis and dry curries since any other material you use would require a lot more oil. Nowadays you get ceramic coated ones which apparently require just 2 drops of oil. I am yet to try this but will update this post if and when I do.
Carry a kadai with you, just in case. You may end up using this the most in your kitchen.
5. Steel Plates and Tumblers
These are optional, of course, but having grown up in a household where we primarily used stainless steel utensils and plates, I packed 2 plates, 6 tumblers and a few small plates (for snacks, to use as spoon rests, to cover bowls, etc) and have never regretted the decision. They are light, easy to clean, non-destructible and cheapest in India.
Anything else you feel is absolutely essential in your kitchen and you would recommend carrying abroad from India, in case of relocation?
not sure if i can answer this in the comments section here. i don't have kids so i can't help you with the first question.
for 2 and 3, mustafa stores is the immediate answer that comes to mind. you definitely get all indian groceries there.
where to live depends entirely on where work is, your budget, type of apartment preferred, etc. not sure of childcare options because, like i said, i don't have kids 🙂
hi
Thank you for posting. I am moving to singapore in july and needed some inputs. What about other things:
1. baby stuff? i have a 2.5 month old infant.Sterlizer, bottles, stroller, et al?
2. curtains, cushion covers, bedsheets, et al?
3. Spices, dal, oil?
4. any inputs on where to live?childcare options for working mothers?
Totally agree with the last bit Sala! I am not sure how the situation is in the US but in Singapore, all the stuff is from India and costs 5 times more! A pressure cooker, when converted into INR is around 4500rs here and you can get the exact same thing in India for 1000rs. You also don't get the latest models here.
Having said that, I bought things like my oven, microwave, hand blender, etc from here.
I love this list Nags, will be very helpful to a lot of newbies.
I may be the black sheep here, but I never carry kitchen equipment with me abroad.
Ive moved to and lived in a few countries, and my suitcase never contained anything but clothes! No kitchen items..not a spoon, not a spice.
I guess I like to travel light. But depending on where you are moving to, you will likely get all your kitchen gadgets in your host country. (If you dont, you will figure out an improvisation! isnt that the point of immigration?!).
I live in the US, and I got my wet grinder, pressure cooker, blender, all pots, pans, and utensils here. Often things are of superior quality than Indian ones.
I live in an area with excellent Asian and Indian supplies, so I'm spoilt I guess. I do understand everyones situation and needs are different.
Keep in mind though, the big advantage of buying appliances in your host country is the convenient service, warranty and parts replacement.
🙂
I got a lovely tadka kadai recently and have taken pics to post here soon 🙂 I see what you mean.
I use the lemon trick for cooker too but I think Baljeet was referring to her tawa edges.
Nice article Nags. As far as US is concerned ppl should carry a tiny kadai meant for tadka, frying applams etc. I found that the ones available here are not rounded they are flat bottomed , I guess ment to be used on coil stoves too. Other than that kadais and non stick pans are available in all sizes, expensive but I think its of better quality and its oven safe, washer safe etc hence worth it.Plus if maintained properly they come of years.
I got an osterizer mixie for which the indian store sold that spice jar. so I got it all for abt 50 bucks! cheap!! 😀
And as for the yellowing – is it the cooker thats yellowing? If yes add a quarter piece of lemon to cooker while using it. That keeps the cooker nice and white 🙂
– mridhubhashini
Shreya, you are right! I brought my coconut scraper but here we get grated coconut. Also, the other stuff you mentioned all came with me during trips 2 and 3. These are the absolutely must-haves which you need to fit into your suitcase the first time around 🙂
Wandering – I know!
Baljeet – not sure about going yellow but sometimes, grease cakes up. You need to regularly scrape with a wooden spoon, gently, and wipe clean before washing with soap and scrubber.
Fully agree with u …abt the pressure cooker ..nothing beats it !!!i did bring a non stick Tawa …only one problem the sides get yellow ..how do i keep it clean ?? any ideas ??? BTW it is Hawkins brand so …might need some help …
my goodness, i just realised how much i love my pressure cooker. nice compilation! and if u know me nags, u know my list is so endless, i wud rather give up the idea and stay put here 😛
🙂 Great one! If you are die hard coconut user, the coconut 'cherava' is what I would suggest to add to the list. I did take one from Kannur to Hyd after I got married, the one that can be fixed on the coutertop. But I guess, when one is abroad, grated coconut is store-bought, and not grated at home the traditional way, so it wouldn't be a must on the list! A Keralite who cannot live without the 'Appam' would carry the 'Appam' cheena chatti:D I even carried the earthen pots and vessels used to make fish curry..