I have neighbors below me in an apartment complex that are Indian. For many months, they have been cooking the same food every evening (around 8-10pm) and the smell comes out of their apartment window and up to mine. I can't close my windows for specific reasons relating to my health. My question is, what is it that can be causing such a foul smell. I love Indian food, curry, tandoori, everything and believe me, this is not the typical smell I'm used to. What can this foul smell be. It is god awful, and at 3:45am yesterday, I was awken to that horrible smell again. My nose was burning, thats how bad it was. What could it be? I don't want to ask them since I would not want to seem confrontational. But maybe if I can figure out what it is, I can politely write them about it.
2006-09-12 16:33:35 · 10 answers · asked by Robert P 1 in Food & Drink ➔ Ethnic Cuisine
Probably Asafoetida, often called "Hing" in India(rhymes with King) - Smells like a mixture of rotting onions and sulfur. In small quantities when cooked it tastes great and the smell is gone. It's probably not the food itself you are smelling - someone probably left the lid off of this ingredient - it is that pungent.
Asafoetida must be kept in a sealed jar, for this reason!
Ask her/him if they have any "hing" in the house - you can then mention that the seal might be broken on the jar!
Good Luck!
2006-09-12 16:44:05 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
it's curry... along with other spices that i don't know yet. i love the smell myself and no i'm not indian.
i got used to it... now i can't live without it.
sometimes koreans cook and the Polynesians cook with it... and no you can't write to them complaining.
because your cooking stinks to them like theirs does to you.
don't be a creep.. just get used to it. it takes time.. but you will.
here's a bit of information about the herbs they may be using.
http://www.foodsubs.com/HerbsIndian.html
it also may be garam masala
could be a few things.. i'm trying to replicate the stench... it's like haunting such like also the stench from a fresh and oily mala bead (bodhi seed) it smells like dog food but wow.
i know i have a stinker nose.
but no matter what... it's not really the same food it is the spices... you complain nothing an be done... just one of those things...
you can do the following.. get an ionizer.. they help... turn on fans... get some circulation happening...
so on.
2006-09-12 23:44:08 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
this is an awkward situation. I too love indian food but never had the luck to live above or near an indian family. This situation is similar to discovering someone has bad breath. You can't really tell them because it would appear inconsiderate, but on the other hand, it is an annoyance to you. I really don't know what i would do in your situation, except keep spraying your apartment with freshener.
Or you could always confront them, but this would seem very awkward because it would appear you are attacking their lifestyle. I really don't know what to say, but good luck.
2006-09-12 23:42:37 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Talk to, not confront, them. Don't say it smells bad. Just say you are having a medical condition like allergy to a certain odor with violent reactions (maybe fatal too). I think they'll be glad to help by keeping the food smell inside their place. What matters is HOW, not WHAT, you ask. Ask with a friendly face and voice. A smile should help too.
2006-09-13 18:13:35 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
I am Indian and i think i have a pretty good idea about what that can be...i think its asafoetida, a spice that i too hate. i live in new delhi and my neighbour too uses it. it smells like a potent combination of all things that smell like a rotting something. but when you taste the finished product, believe you me, the food tastes so good you wont believe its got something THAT smelly in it !!!
best is just go to them and ask them what on earth that is supposed to be. if and when they answer, if they ask why tell them you really liked it. but ask them to tone it down as much as possible since you get a bad coughing fit every time you get that smell (put it down to allergy). say it in an earnest voice and watch the smell go down!!!
ALL THE BEST !!!
2006-09-13 07:11:53 · answer #5 · answered by Bubbles 1 · 2⤊ 2⤋
you could always move if it is a problem it could have my neighbors
they let there two year old son take off his poopie diaper out side and leave it on the ground ( for days until say something) to run around nuked he smells so bad that i can smell it inside with the doors and windows shut and i know its him i have seen him do it his mom doesn't care so long as she doesn't have to touch it i know they aren't my 4 month old's she doest wear boy pull-ups
2006-09-13 00:04:37 · answer #6 · answered by Crystal D 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It's a bit late and/or early for food ... maybe they're boiling junior's nappies, or granny's incontinence pads...??!?
You never know!!! And although people normally rinse the smelly stuff out first, they often put bleach or other toxic stinky things in when they boil them - it all makes the sterilisation more effective..! Now THAT would make your eyes AND your nose burn!
; )
2006-09-13 05:52:33 · answer #7 · answered by _ 6 · 0⤊ 4⤋
Well if it bothers U so much close your windows no idea on what it could be that stinks so much.Sorry
2006-09-12 23:42:46 · answer #8 · answered by sugarbdp1 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yes. It might be Hing.
2006-09-14 09:26:37 · answer #9 · answered by Hardrock 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
are you sure that they aren't running a meth lab in their apartment?
2006-09-13 01:13:57 · answer #10 · answered by moehawk 4 · 1⤊ 2⤋