Oldham food lovers snap up crocodile curry

Curry lovers in Oldham are being offered an exotic alternative to their usual chicken korma or lamb vindaloo.

Sam Miah, who runs The Ruchi Indian Restaurant in Moorside, has added everything from crocodile to springbok to his menu.

He says that after a slow start, the meats are selling well.

"I've got people coming from far and wide just so they can try it or someone has told them about it and they just come to see it."

In fact, such is the restaurant's reputation for the more unusual game meats that he's even had orders for animals he's yet to try out for himself.

"Someone ordered snake and I don't even sell it, but because I'm unique and different, they placed the order with me."

Sam says it is crocodile that has been the biggest hit with his male customers, who like wrestling with the proposition, but for the women, the other meats on offer are attractive for different reasons.

"Once you explain to them how things work, what kinds of meat [there are] and how good it is for you, they try it straight away."

"Crocodile is extremely popular with the men. It is like a macho thing.

"The ladies are trying springbok and ostrich, because they know it's good for them as it's very lean."

Sam says that crocodile - which he describes as "white meat, very lean, no fat at all" - may sound exotic, but it actually has a taste that will be familiar to most diners.

"I think the taste is in-between a chicken and a fish, because right at the end, you can taste a little bit of the fishy side coming through."

The new flavours are certainly capturing the taste buds of his patrons, though some have taken a while to get used to the idea.

One customer says seeing crocodile on the menu for the first time was "a bit bizarre" but adds that "once you get your head around it, it's normal".

So normal, in fact, that it has become one of Sam's best sellers - something he's more than happy about, though he does admit he's getting a little tired of the one-liners.

"I've heard all the puns, all the crocodile jokes. They'll order a crocodile and say to make it snappy."

Perhaps it's time for him to push one of his new ideas, zebra curry, instead - although that's probably not something he needs to see in black and white.

The currycouncil have yet to review this restaurant. If you have visited this restaurant, please feel free to add your comments below.

Ruchi Indian
744 Ripponden Road, Oldham, Lancashire OL4 2LP
T: 0161 6287115

Source: BBC