When you consider Mexican meals, you may first consider tacos, quesadillas, and burritos. However what about tamales?
A Mexican dish consisting of cornmeal dough round a filling of minced meat and purple peppers, tamales usually are not as well-known in comparison with most of the delicacies’s dishes. However popularising it in Singapore is a model by the identify of Tamales Mexicanos.
Born in Puebla, Mexico, its founder Maribel has all the time been deeply obsessed with sharing the wealthy tapestry of her heritage.
This ardour solely grew when she moved to the island after assembly her Singaporean husband whereas pursuing her grasp’s diploma in Melbourne.
Not simply her companion in life, Aminurashid Ahmad (who goes by Ash) can also be Maribel’s enterprise companion as a co-founder of Tamales Mexicanos.
“The seeds of Tamales Mexicanos had been planted throughout a visit to Mexico again in 2014, the place Ash had his first style of tamales and was immediately enchanted by their wealthy flavours,” Maribel defined.
Stunned that such a scrumptious dish wasn’t extra extensively recognized, the thought to introduce tamales to Singapore was born. Nevertheless, this concept remained dormant for some time till a pivotal second sparked its revival for the couple.
In 2019, throughout Maribel’s being pregnant along with her second daughter, she discovered herself craving the genuine style of tamales that she had grown up with. Her mother and grandmother had run a tamales store and later a restaurant, so she actually grew up with the dish.
“When my mum visited that yr, she lovingly ready tamales for me, reigniting my ardour for this beloved dish and fulfilling my craving,” Maribel recalled.
Sharing these tamales along with her buddies, who cherished the meals, the couple determined to make good on their enterprise thought, establishing Tamales Mexicanos in 2019 to serve genuine, halal tamales in Singapore.
From home-based to brick-and-mortar
Past being the chef at Tamales Mexicanos, although, Maribel additionally sports activities a sturdy background. Armed with a bachelor’s diploma in overseas Commerce and Logistics from Mexico, she has gathered expertise throughout various industries reminiscent of automotive, petrochemicals, and schooling.
Furthermore, Maribel has even authored and co-authored eight books, 4 of which grew to become bestsellers.
As we speak, although, Tamales Mexicanos has turn into Maribel and Ash’s full-time dedication. Greater than a enterprise, they see it as a labour of affection and a testomony to their dedication to sharing the genuine flavours of Mexico with Singapore.
“Once we began, we each had full-time jobs. It was solely in 2024 that each of us determined to depart our jobs, and go all in,” Maribel detailed.
Beginning out, the enterprise had first been known as Tamales Mexicanos en Singapur, however was rebranded January this yr. This coincided with the launch of their first bodily location, tucked in Purple Agave, the cocktail bar on Keong Saik Street.
Explaining the choice to open a bodily outlet, Maribel defined, “Whereas operating Tamales Mexicanos en Singapur from the consolation of steady paycheques supplied a way of safety, we knew that true development lay in increasing past our present setup.”
Final yr, the duo had began dipping their toes into working a bodily location by taking part in numerous weekend meals festivals and ticketed brunch occasions.
“Seeing the eyes of our fellow Singaporeans gentle up upon taking their first chew of tamales was encouraging and thrilling,” Maribel expressed.
Throughout these experiences, the couple additionally learnt to streamline their operations, making them extra environment friendly in making ready and serving prospects.
However simply as importantly, these occasions helped them community with fellow entrepreneurs, which was how they discovered a house in Purple Agave.
Believing that they’ve garnered sufficient expertise in 2023, Maribel and Ash felt emboldened to take the leap to arrange a everlasting store.
From tamales to all kinds of dishes
Along with signature tamales, the Tamales Mexicanos menu options an array of basic Mexican dishes, together with quesadillas, tortas, guacamole, and desserts like churros and carlotas.
The crew has additionally created distinctive tamales to commemorate particular dates, just like the Rendang Tamales and the Duck Pipian Tamales.
Additionally they supply tamales served in bento bins, believing that this localised idea would attraction to locals.
“We examine the menu of Mexican eating places in Singapore and Mexico and attempt to fill out there gaps,” Maribel identified.
However finally, what units Tamales Mexicanos aside from different Mexican F&B institutions on the island is their distinctive concentrate on tamales.
Maribel even claimed that they’re seemingly the first-ever restaurant to specialize in tamales in the entire of Asia.
“Regardless of tamales being a beloved staple in Mexico and Latin America, they continue to be barely recognized in Asia,” the founder said.
She added that ever since she arrived on Singaporean shores, folks round her usually expressed their love for burritos (which is a dish she herself has by no means really eaten in Mexico). Nevertheless, when it got here to tamales, barely anybody knew what they had been.
“I realised then that tamales are like a best-kept secret that wanted to be shared with this a part of the world,” she mused.
And that’s precisely what Tamales Mexicanos has been doing, and goals to proceed to do.
From Mexico to Singapore
At first, the primary viewers for Tamales Mexicanos had comprised Mexicans and the Latino group in Singapore, which later expanded to incorporate different expatriates.
As we speak, Maribel is proud to share that they welcome a various combine of people, together with locals.
Along with serving particular person prospects, they cater to massive quantity orders for company occasions, events, and gifting events.
They’ve labored with famend establishments such because the Asian Civilization Museum, Singapore American College, Meals for Thought @ Nationwide Gallery, and extra. Additionally they actively take part in group occasions, such because the Latinada 2024.
Nonetheless, regardless of the work that has been completed, Maribel believes that there’s nonetheless a major want for schooling to boost consciousness about tamales and genuine Mexican delicacies in Singapore.
“For a lot too lengthy, the notion of Mexican meals has been largely formed by america,” she asserted. “I imagine it’s time for Mexicans to reclaim the narrative and showcase the range and authenticity of our culinary traditions.”
Study extra about Tamales Mexicanos right here.
Learn different articles we’ve written about F&B companies right here.
Featured Picture Credit score: Tamales Mexicanos / xsaltire (by way of Instagram)
