Dive into the world of Peranakan food at these authentic and modern restaurants in Singapore!
History lesson time: the inter-marriages between Straits Chinese and Malays birthed a delicate culture of the Nyonyas (ladies) and the Babas (gentlemen). This was translated to Peranakan traditional fashion, handmade crafts and, of course, delicious cuisine. Just like the culture and heritage, Peranakan food in Singapore is rich and full of complex flavours. It is, after all, a mix of Chinese, Malay and Indonesian cuisines, resulting in a heady and wondrous combination of all things spicy, aromatic and homely. Hungry yet? Look no further for the best Peranakan restaurants to try…
Where to get Peranakan food in Singapore
1. Candlenut
Helmed by chef-owner Malcolm Lee, the world’s first Michelin-starred Peranakan restaurant offers superb traditional dishes with a modern, elevated spin. But if you’re looking for the complete dining experience, go for the Ah-ma-kase menu to enjoy a communal meal filled with lobster kueh pie tee, lamb neck satay, buah keluak beef stew, chendol and more.
Candlenut, 17A Dempsey Road, Singapore 249676
2. Violet Oon Singapore
Helmed by renowned food connoisseur Violet Oon, her eponymous bistro celebrates Singapore’s rich cultural diversity. Various outlets are scattered across the island, each with a unique character, but the essence remains the same, with black marbled surfaces, gold accents and framed Peranakan tiles.
The chic and iconic restaurant serves elevated Nyonya staples like ayam buah keluak, dry laksa and sambal eggplant. Oh, and make sure you leave room for dessert – must-tries include kueh beng kah (tapioca cake with coconut milk and gula melaka) and pulut hitam (black glutinous rice) with coconut ice cream. P.S. all Violet Oon outlets also offer a plant-based menu featuring oyster mushrooms, eggplant, meatless meatball rendang and more.
Violet Oon Singapore, multiple locations including National Gallery Singapore and Ion Orchard
3. True Blue Cuisine
Nyonya recipes at True Blue have been kept in the family for generations, which makes dining here a hearty, homely experience. Not only is the decor authentic – think wooden windows, “tok panjang” tables and partition screens – but the food is marvellous as well. You’ll be feasting on plates of ayam buah keluak and chap chye (stewed cabbage with glass vermicelli).
True Blue Cuisine, 47/49 Armenian Street, Singapore 179937
4. Bonding Kitchen
Hit up Bonding Kitchen if you’re looking for Peranakan food with a twist. It initially ran as a private dining service in Johor Bahru, before expanding into a restaurant on Orchard Road. The space is divided into two sections, all decorated in calming blue and filled with fresh flowers. If there’s one thing you should order from the menu, it’s the kueh pie tee – the shells are fluffier compared to the typical ones.
Bonding Kitchen, #02-18, Orchardgateway, 277 Orchard Road, Singapore 238858
5. Rempapa
We love this casual eatery by chef Damian D’Silva ‘cos his passion for heritage cuisine in Singapore simply shines through in a sublime way. If you’re in the mood for something different yet familiar, take your seat and get ready for a multi-cultural feast that blends the flavours of Peranakan, Chinese, Eurasian, Indian, and Malay cuisines. Tuck into sambal buah keluak, chap chye, beef rendang and buah keluak fried rice alongside Hakka fried pork and chef Damian’s special curry. Don’t forget to save space for dessert! The kueh platter is a must-try.
Rempapa, #01-01/02/03, Park Place Residences at PLQ, 2 Paya Lebar Road, Singapore 409053
6. Old Bibik’s Peranakan Kitchen
This old school Peranakan restaurant in Singapore serves food made from recipes passed down through generations – that’s how you know they’re some of the best! The halal-certified eatery is comforting in its vintage ambience complemented by authentic, traditional food. Must-try dishes include the beef rendang, the grilled sambal barramundi and the modernised crispy chinchalok omelette.
Old Bibik’s Peranakan Kitchen, #01-02, 328 Joo Chiat Road, Singapore 427585
7. Simply Peranakan Cuisine
Want affordable and hearty Peranakan food in Singapore? This restaurant is perfect for newbies to the world of this unique cuisine. It’s known and loved for its warm, homely service and tasty dishes. Don’t miss out on some of the best delicacies including assam fish head curry, lobster noodles, and bakwan kepiting soup.
Simply Peranakan Cuisine, #01-05, Hotel Chancellor, 28 Cavenagh Road, Singapore 229635
8. Chilli Padi Nonya Restaurant
Step into the welcoming, newly renovated space and you’ll be served a homely meal with a lick of heat – thanks to the signature sambal belacan. Whether you’re heading to the east-side restaurant or its other outlets, you’ll be dining on delectable dishes. Specialties to try include ayam buah keluak, Nonya curry chicken, ikan assam pedas fish head, BBQ sotong and more.
Chilli Padi Nonya Restaurant, #01-03, 11 Joo Chiat Place, Singapore 427744
9. Godmama
For modern Peranakan dining, make a date with Godmama. Offering a mix of classic dishes and contemporary creations, the restaurant whips up plates like popiah, sambal buah keluak fried rice, lamb shank rendang and pulut hitam panna cotta to satisfy your cravings. You can also get affordable lunch sets during weekday lunches or delish brunch dishes like otak otak benedict and dry laksa on weekends.
Godmama, multiple locations including Funan and Parkway Parade
10. House of Peranakan
Boasting three Peranakan dining concepts, restaurant group House of Peranakan has been serving home-style Nyonya food ever since chef-owner Bob Seah established Peranakan Inn in 1985. Tuck into smashing favourites like curry fish head, assam prawns and pulut hitam. Uncomplicated, honest and comforting – just the way we like it. Psst: some of the guests this place has seen include past presidents and even Thai royalty.
House of Peranakan, multiple locations including East Coast Road and Eng Hoon Street
11. Guan Hoe Soon Restaurant
Known to be one of Singapore’s oldest Peranakan restaurants (it was established in 1953!), Guan Hoe Soon is the go-to place for no-frills Nyonya food. Choose from items like ayam buah keluak, sayur lodeh and udang assam pedas (prawns in spicy tamarind sauce) for a good ‘ol time. Heads up, dishes come in three sizes – small, medium and large.
Guan Hoe Soon Restaurant, #01-01, 200 Joo Chiat Road, Singapore 427471
12. The Blue Ginger
Family-run restaurant The Blue Ginger is one well-known spot that dishes out exquisite Peranakan cuisine in Singapore. Established in 1995, the Michelin Bib Gourmand name is an oldie but goodie. If you’re a stickler for tradition, head to the original Tanjong Pagar locale for flavourful plates of beef rendang, pork ribs assam and kueh pie tee. But, those keen to check out its elegant, contemporary eatery at Great World can enjoy ayam buah keluak and Nyonya fish head curry in a casual setting. All that said, don’t forget to leave space for the creamy durian chendol dessert!
The Blue Ginger, multiple locations including Tanjong Pagar and Great World
13. Ivins Peranakan Restaurant
The decor at this Bukit Timah restaurant isn’t exactly eye-catching, but you’re not here for the ‘gram anyway. For an affordable price, you can fill your plates with comforting Peranakan food like itek sio (braised duck in tamarind and coriander gravy), sambal prawns and curry fish head. Notice a trend? They’re all dishes with gravy that you should definitely mix your rice in… you’ll thank us later.
Ivins Peranakan Restaurant, 19/21 Binjai Park, Singapore 589827
14. Daisy’s Dream Kitchen
If you’re at Temasek Club and craving Peranakan food, Daisy’s Dream Kitchen is your best bet. The family-run restaurant serves mouth-watering delicacies made with recipes passed down from generations, which means you’re getting authentic fare made with love. If you’re into spicy food, the belacan chilli is a must-try.
Daisy’s Dream Kitchen, #01-01, Temasek Club, 131 Rifle Range Road, Singapore 588396
15. TingKat PeraMakan
Founded by fourth-generation Nyonya Kathryn Ho, this Peranakan concept has been around the block since 2004. Even though the fancy PeraMakan restaurant at Keppel Club closed in 2020, its casual sister outlets are still dishing out the good stuff. Don’t miss out on the beef rendang or babi pong teh (braised pork in fermented soybean sauce) renditions. The set meals with a main, two sides, a drink and a dessert are pretty value for money, too!
TingKat PeraMakan, multiple locations including Owen Road and Alexandra Retail Centre
16. Lynnette’s Kitchen
While it’s not a restaurant per se, this is one Peranakan private dining experience you should scribble on your must-eat list. It’s an idea cooked up by Lynnette Seah, Cultural Medallion winner and founding member of the Singapore Symphony Orchestra. The concept allows diners to either adjourn to her abode or invite her specially into theirs to prepare a feast of dishes like buah keluak fried rice and jumbo squid with glutinous rice.
Lynnette’s Kitchen, book online
17. Baba Chews Bar & Eatery
Housed within the former Joo Chiat Police Station, Baba Chews retains much of its colonial charm of the 20s. White walls brighten up the cosy establishment and colourful motif tiles contrast against metal mesh sliding panels that are more contemporary than stifling. But don’t be tricked into thinking this is a traditional Peranakan restaurant. The menu brims with dishes like Nonya fried rice and assam curry seabass alongside stand-out fusion plates of dry bak kut teh and chilli crab risotto. End your meal with the restaurant’s version of chendol or kueh durian, a variation of kueh dadar.
Baba Chews Bar & Eatery, Katong Square, 86 East Coast Road, Singapore 428788
18. Straits Chinese Restaurant
Serving authentic Peranakan food in Singapore since 1953, this well-known chain is the brainchild of the Guan Hoe Soon Group (see above). Make sure you try the fatty braised babi pong teh and tangy udang assam goreng (fried prawns in spicy tamarind gravy). The curry fish head set is also a popular pick for catering.
Straits Chinese Restaurant, multiple locations including Cecil Street and Esplanade
19. Indocafe
Located in an elegant, black-and-white colonial bungalow along Scotts Road, Indocafe is a cosy restaurant that whips up good Peranakan food in Singapore. Start with appetisers like ngoh hiang (deep-fried five-spice minced pork roll) before moving on to signature mains such as ayam buah keluak and wagyu beef rendang. End with the traditional dessert of bubur cha cha (yam, sweet potatoes and bananas in coconut milk) or kueh salat (made of glutinous rice, blue pea flower and pandan coconut custard).
Indocafe, 35 Scotts Road, Singapore 228227
Have your fill of Peranakan food in Singapore at these great restaurants!
