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10 Best Peranakan Food in Singapore For An Authentic Nyonya Experience [2021]
If you're getting tired of the usual hawker food or cafe brunches, give the best Peranakan food in Singapore a shot!
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Peranakans, also known as the Straits Chinese, are an ethnic group that comes from a mixture of Malay, Indonesian and Chinese descents.
They sound like quite a rojak of cultures, but as how this Singaporean dish tastes impeccably good, so is Peranakan cuisine.
Peranakan food is characterized by their strong, aromatic flavors that require long hours of preparation and a wide range of spices infused in their cooking.
It is a pity that Peranakan food is slowly losing foothold in this ever-competitive F&B industry, and that’s what led to the birth of this article – to put these places offering Peranakan food in Singapore in the spotlight and remind the young of this unique ethnicity.
1. The Peranakan
| Type of Information | Details |
| Website | https://www.theperanakan.com/ |
| Highlights to Note | – Only restaurant to serve Tok Panjang in Singapore – Authentic Peranakan food with recipes handed down from 3 generations above – With Peranakan gallery and retail shop |
| Address | 442 Orchard Rd, Level 2 Claymore Connect, Singapore 238879 |
| Email (For Enquiry) | [email protected] |
| Contact Number | 6262 4428 |
| Operating Hours | Mon – Sun: 11:30am – 9pm |
| Online Reviews | 331 Google Reviews (Average rating: 4.2/5.0 stars) |
The Peranakan is one of the most authentic places to get Peranakan food in Singapore, with traditional recipes handed down by Nyonyas and Babas from previous generations and headed by executive chef Raymond Khoo.
For a truly luxurious and indulging experience, enjoy their Peranakan cuisine in ‘Tok Panjang’ style – where large platters of Peranakan dishes such as buah keluak, babi pongteh and more are served.
Not only can you feast on a plethora of Peranakan classics, your eyes will be in for a treat at their Peranakan Gallery and retail shop where you get to view traditional Peranakan items!
2. Candlenut
| Type of Information | Details |
| Website | https://www.comodempsey.sg/restaurant/candlenut |
| Highlights to Note | – One-star Michelin restaurant – Traditional Peranakan dishes with a modern twist – Serves Peranakan-style omakase (termed as Ah-ma Kase) |
| Address | 17a Dempsey Rd, Singapore 249676 |
| Email (For Enquiry) | [email protected] |
| Contact Number | 6444 6163 |
| Operating Hours | Mon – Sun: 12pm – 3pm, 6pm – 10pm |
| Online Reviews | 924 Google Reviews (Average rating: 4.3/5.0 stars) |
Being the first and only Michelin-starred Peranakan restaurant for 4 consecutive years, you know the food prepared at Candlenut is surely one to behold.
Candlenut takes on a fusion of traditional Peranakan flavours with modern cooking elements for a unique Peranakan dining experience.
Some of their signature highlights include their Buah Keluak Fried Rice, Gula Melaka King Prawns and even home-cooked favourites like Chef’s Mum’s Chicken Curry.
One can even opt for their Ah-ma Kase (Peranakan-style omakase) to get a taste of all their specialities.
3. Violet Oon
| Type of Information | Details |
| Website | https://violetoon.com/ |
| Highlights to Note | – Owned by celebrity chef Violet Oon – Peranakan high tea sets |
| Address | 1 St Andrew’s Rd, #02–01 National Gallery, Singapore 178957 |
| Email (For Enquiry) | [email protected] |
| Contact Number | 9834 9935 |
| Operating Hours | Mon – Sun: 12pm – 5pm, 6pm – 11pm |
| Online Reviews | 768 Google Reviews (Average rating: 4.4/5.0 stars) |
Violet Oon is an exquisite and high-end showcase of Peranakan food in Singapore. Owned by the renowned food connoisseur Violet Oon herself, they aim to create a posh yet homely ambience, as if they were dining in Violet’s home.
Get a taste of Peranakan fare, daintily placed in exquisite high tea sets to make you feel like a tai-tai. Definitely an out-of-the-norm high tea experience!
4. Godmama
| Type of Information | Details |
| Website | https://godmama.sg/ |
| Highlights to Note | – Innovative and modern Peranakan food – Peranakan restaurant and bar concept |
| Address | 107 North Bridge Rd, #04-07, Singapore 179105 |
| Email (For Enquiry) | [email protected] |
| Contact Number | 6970 0828 |
| Operating Hours | Mon – Thurs: 11am – 3:30pm, 6pm – 9pm Fri: 11am – 3:30pm, 6pm – 10pm Weekends and Public Holidays: 10am – 4pm, 6pm – 10pm |
| Online Reviews | 333 Google Reviews (Average rating: 4.2/5.0 stars) |
Unravel a beautiful blend of modern and traditional flavors here at Godmama, a contemporary restaurant offering Peranakan food in Singapore.
Designed to be a restaurant and bar concept, they serve cocktails, Peranakan-style brunch and the classic delights in a lively dining setting. They aspire to make Peranakan cuisine affordable and accessible to all while retaining the essence of this culture.
Expect to be in for a surprise with their interesting East-meets-West concoctions such as Otak Otak Benedict, Pulled Pork Pongteh Sunny and Cempedak Creme Brulee!
5. The Blue Ginger
| Type of Information | Details |
| Website | https://theblueginger.com/ |
| Highlights to Note | – One of the first Peranakan restaurants in Singapore – Authentic and classic Peranakan flavours |
| Address | 97 Tanjong Pagar Rd, Singapore 088518 |
| Email (For Enquiry) | [email protected] |
| Contact Number | 6222 3928 |
| Operating Hours | Mon-Sun: 12pm – 3 pm 6.30 pm – 10.30 pm |
| Online Reviews | 630 Google Reviews (Average rating: 4.2/5.0 stars) |
With all the talk here about Peranakan food in Singapore, The Blue Ginger is a must to mention with its well-established presence here.
If you’re someone with a less adventurous palate, this is the place to go for simple, hearty and delectable Nyonya delights.
Their menu here is stripped down to the basics – expect the standard Peranakan fare like your Ngoh Hiang, Babi Pongteh, Chap Chye and Nyonya Fish Head Curry to name a few.
6. Baba Chews Bar and Eatery
| Type of Information | Details |
| Website | https://babachews.com.sg/ |
| Highlights to Note | – Serves fusion Peranakan cuisine and Western mains – Wide range of alcoholic drinks, offers TWG Tea and brews from Common Man Coffee Roasters. |
| Address | 86 East Coast Road Katong Square (S) 428788 |
| Email (For Enquiry) | [email protected] |
| Contact Number | 6723 2025 |
| Operating Hours | Mon, Wed & Thurs: 11am – 10:30pm Fri – Sun: 9am – 10:30pm (Closed on Tuesdays) |
| Online Reviews | 355 Google Reviews (Average rating: 3.8/5.0 stars) |
The former Joo Chiat police station may seem to have retained its vintage English vibes from the looks of it, but be in for a surprise as within lies a Peranakan restaurant that serves modern Peranakan dishes and Western favorites, humbly known as Baba Chews.
Apart from their tantalizing fusion Peranakan dishes such as Kopi-C Flavoured BBQ Pork Ribs and Ayam Buah Keluak Burger, they also offer beverages from Common Man Coffee Roasters, TWG Tea and a good range of alcoholic drinks.
7. Guan Hoe Soon Restaurant
| Type of Information | Details |
| Website | https://guanhoesoon.com/ |
| Highlights to Note | – Oldest Peranakan restaurant in Singapore – Offers catering services – Affordable and authentic Peranakan fare |
| Address | 40, 38 Joo Chiat Pl, 427764 |
| Email (For Enquiry) | [email protected] |
| Contact Number | 6344 2761 |
| Operating Hours | Mon to Fri: 11am – 3pm, 6pm – 9:30pm Sat to Sun: 11am – 3pm, 5:30pm – 9:30pm |
| Online Reviews | 292 Google Reviews (Average rating: 3.9/5.0 stars) |
A short distance away from Baba Chews lies yet another Peranakan gem, Guan Hoe Soon restaurant. Established since 1963, Guan Hoe Soon is one of the veterans in our local Peranakan food scene.
What keeps the queues snaking at one of the oldest establishments selling Peranakan food in Singapore is their ability to keep the food here affordable yet authentic.
They have also expanded their operations to include delivery and catering services if you’re looking to feast on these Nyonya delicacies.
8. Charlie’s Peranakan Food
| Type of Information | Details |
| Website | https://www.facebook.com/charliesperanakanfood/ |
| Highlights to Note | – Peranakan-Korean fusion food – Peranakan cuisine in a hawker setting |
| Address | Golden Mile Food Centre 505 Beach Rd, #B1-30, Singapore 199583 |
| Email (For Enquiry) | [email protected] |
| Contact Number | 9789 6304 |
| Operating Hours | Mon – Sun: 11:30am – 7:30pm |
| Online Reviews | 141 Google Reviews (Average rating: 4.5/5.0 stars) |
If you think that finding Peranakan food in a hawker centre is rare enough, you’ll be dumbfounded to hear they sell Peranakan-Korean fusion dishes – now, that’s a first!
Charlie’s Peranakan Food is definitely a one-of-a-kind spot for Peranakan food in Singapore. Think traditional flavours like Ayam Buah Keluak, Assam Manis and Ayam Rendang infused in Korean tteok-bokki (rice cakes). Now, that’s truly an eye-opener!
For the old-school foodies, fret not as they do serve your classic Peranakan favourites as well.
Although they are slightly more expensive than your average hawker meal, the laborious cooking process and authentic flavours make it worth every penny.
9. Baba’s Peranakan
| Type of Information | Details |
| Website | https://www.facebook.com/thebabas.sg/ |
| Highlights to Note | – Specialises in Nyonya Chap Chye Png – Hawker stall opened by a former hotel chef |
| Address | Chinatown Complex 335 Smith St, #02-225, Singapore 050335 |
| Email (For Enquiry) | – |
| Contact Number | 9616 6184 |
| Operating Hours | Thurs – Tues: 9am – 1:30pm Closed on Wednesday |
| Online Reviews | 29 Google Reviews (Average rating: 4.9/5.0 stars) |
This is yet another Peranakan hawker gem for the everyday folk’s simple pleasure. Baba’s Peranakan Food is opened by a former hotel chef with 20 years of culinary experience under his belt, alongside his young son.
With deep roots in the Nyonya community, they are dedicated to whipping up tasty, hearty Peranakan food in Singapore that goes easy on the wallet.
You can see heaps of Peranakan dishes lined up in trays, much like your typical economic rice stall. Try out some of their highlights, which include their Ikan Assam Pedas, Sayur Lemak, Fried Chicken and many more!
10. Old Bibik’s Peranakan Kitchen
| Type of Information | Details |
| Website | https://oldbibik.com/ |
| Highlights to Note | – Casual dining restaurant with old-school vibes – Authentic Peranakan fare |
| Address | 328 Joo Chiat Rd, #01-02, Singapore 427585 |
| Email (For Enquiry) | [email protected] |
| Contact Number | 8450 7996 |
| Operating Hours | Mon – Sun: 12pm – 10pm |
| Online Reviews | 235 Google Reviews (Average rating: 4.0/5.0 stars) |
Though located near other notable Peranakan restaurants such as Baba Chews and Guan Hoe Soon, Old Bibik’s Peranakan Kitchen is another worthy contender of this list with its honest-to-goodness Peranakan delicacies.
They pride themselves on their homely Peranakan dishes that boasts of being MSG free.
Take your pick from their wide range of Peranakan food such as Beef and Mutton Rendang, Crispy Chinchalok Omelette, Assam Prawn and others.
Conclusion
Even as Singapore progresses, cultures with such rich history and are unique to Singapore should still continue to be celebrated and preserved.
Furthermore, as seen from these top places for Peranakan food in Singapore, it is evident that many are breaking boundaries by pursuing innovation while conserving the authentic Nyonya flavours.
There’s no more reason to hold back from trying out Peranakan cuisine, savor it before it’s too late!
If these Peranakan gems are too out of the way, why not give our article about food deliveries in Singapore a read?
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