Peranakan culture is an important part of our nation’s identity, given its storied history and—a point most foodies can agree with—moreish food. Many listicles on the internet, however, seem to have a focus on Peranakan restaurants, rather than the less glamorous stalls that can compete in authenticity and taste. In this guide, we present you with the best Peranakan food places in Singapore, including a mix of restaurants, hawker stalls, and Nyonya kueh shops.
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Famed for their particularly piquant sambal belacan, Chilli Padi Nonya Restaurant is a favourite among fans of the cuisine. Dishes such as Ayam Buah Kuluak (from $19++) and Curry Assam Ikan (from $22++) are fantastic picks for your Peranakan feast, as they are said to pack a spicy punch, and are delicious to boot.
Address: 11 Joo Chiat Place, #01-03, Singapore 427744
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 11:30am to 2:30pm, 5:30pm to 9:30pm, Sat-Sun 11:30am to 2:30pm, 5:30pm to 10pm
Tel: 6275 1002
Website
Chilli Padi Nonya Restaurant is not a halal-certified eatery.
While many people enjoy going to restaurants for their Peranakan fix, you can get equally authentic stuff at hawker stalls too! Charlie’s Peranakan Food is one such stall, offering traditional dishes at affordable prices. Take their Ayam Buah Keluak ($13), for instance, which is a chicken stew enhanced by the rich and slightly bitter flavours of buah keluak—a true Peranakan classic done right.
Address: 505 Beach Road, #B1-30, Golden Mile Food Centre, Singapore 199583
Opening hours: Daily 11:30am to 7:30pm
Tel: 9789 6304
Website
Charlie’s Peranakan Food is not a halal-certified eatery.
Guan Hoe Soon Restaurant has been serving Peranakan food since 1953, making it one of the oldest of its kind in Singapore. Historical value isn’t the only thing you are getting here, however, as the restaurant continues to offer excellent fare.
Specialties include Ngoh Hiang (from $16.80++), Nonya Chap Chye (Cabbage) (from $15.80++), and of course, the Ayam Buah Keluak (from $18.80++).
Address: 200 Joo Chiat Road, #01-01, Singapore 427471
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 11am to 3pm, 5:30pm to 9:30pm, Sat-Sun 11am to 3pm, 5pm to 9:30pm
Tel: 6344 2761
Website
Guan Hoe Soon Restaurant is not a halal-certified eatery.
Cherki is all about Peranakan food with a modern twist. For example, Peranakan classics like itek sio, a braised duck dish, get reinvented in the form of the Duck Confit Itek Sio ($30+). Slow-cooked in herb oil, you get aromatic duck that’s fall-apart tender on the inside, yet addictively crisp on the outside. The meat is paired with a side of yam mash and a house-made relish of tamarind, coriander, and onion.
Pair this with the Buah Keluak Fried Rice (from $19+), where fragrant blue pea rice is stir-fried in an earthy buah keluak paste, or the Buah Keluak Pork Ribs ($30+) for succulent ribs smothered in the same sauce.
Cherki also offers their Tok Panjang sets, featuring sampler portions of up to 14 specialties. We recommend ordering the Indulgence Set ($58+), which features six components. To start, you get five appetisers, including their signature Laksa Lobster Kueh Pie Tee, stuffed with fresh lobster meat, egg crumble, coconut cream, and spices. There’s also the comforting Pork & Crab Meatball Soup, complete with an umami seafood broth. The set also comes with a taste of their signature mains such as the Masak Merah Chicken Polpette, Coconut Kaffir King Prawns and more. A sambal sampler, fluffy blue pea rice, and a stack of rice pancakes in sweet gula melaka banana sauce for dessert to complete the combo.
Don’t miss out on Cherki’s lavish range of Peranakan-themed cocktails. The refreshing Gift Of Gab ($25+) features a gingerflower-infused gin, mixed with a zesty blend of calamansi, lychee, white grape, and yuzu, all topped with a glistening dash of gold shimmer.
Book your table at Cherki via Chope.
Address: 1 Straits Boulevard, #01-02, Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre, Singapore 018906
Opening hours: Sat-Thurs 12pm to 2:30pm, 5pm to 10pm, Fri 12pm to 2:30pm, 5pm to 11:30pm
Tel: 6514 8345
Website
Cherki is not a halal-certified eatery.
Another place that specialises in fusion Pernakan food is Godmama. Whether you’re ordering old-school fare such as Beef Rendang ($23.90++) or the fusion Buah Keluak Bolognese Pasta ($20.90++), the presentation and bold flavours are unlikely to let you down.
While you’re there, give their unique desserts a shot too. Case in point: the Sticky Red Date Pudding ($11.90++), which is served with vanilla bean ice cream and longan tea glaze.
Funan outlet
Address: 107 North Bridge Road, #04-07, Funan, Singapore 179105
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 11am to 10pm, Sat-Sun 10am to 10pm
Tel: 6970 0828
Parkway Parade outlet
Address: 80 Marine Parade Road, #01-69A, Parkway Parade, Singapore 449269
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 11am to 10pm, Sat-Sun 10:30am to 10pm
Tel: 6320 3994
Website
Godmama is not a halal-certified eatery.
Hawker stall Nyonya Pok Pok Kay doesn’t have the extensive menu of the restaurant picks on this list—they only have two mains on their menu—but that doesn’t mean their Peranakan food is any less tasty.
The first dish, Ayam Curry Kapitan (from $6.20), is said to be irresistibly aromatic and flavourful, while the second dish, the Ayam Sioh (from $5.20), sees chicken enhanced by the sweet-sour taste of tamarind. Get them with blue pea rice for a hearty Peranakan meal.
Address: 110 Pasir Ris Central, #02-23, Pasir Ris Central Hawker Centre, Singapore 519641
Opening hours: Tue-Sat, 11:30am to 2:30pm, 5pm to 8pm
Website
Nyonya Pok Pok Kay is not a halal-certified eatery.
The exquisite Peranakan and Singaporean fare that Violet Oon Singapore serves can be attributed to the restaurant’s namesake, who’s one of the more prominent figures in our local food scene. With her vast expertise in Peranakan food, Violet Oon’s curated dishes, such as the Beef Rendang ($28++) and Dry Laksa ($29++), demonstrate the best that the cuisine has to offer. The latter, in particular, is a creative take on the iconic noodle dish and is said to retain all the fragrance and umami of its soup-based counterpart.
Read our Violet Oon Singapore review.
Dempsey Hill outlet
Address: 7 Dempsey Road, #01-05, Singapore 249671
Opening hours: Daily 12pm to 3pm, 6pm to 11pm
Tel: 9834 9935
ION Orchard outlet
Address: 2 Orchard Turn, #04-12, ION Orchard, Singapore 238801
Opening hours: Daily 12pm to 3pm, 6pm to 10pm
Tel: 9834 9935
Website
Violet Oon Singapore is not a halal-certified eatery.
Image credit: Jensen Chua Photography via Google Maps
Ji Xiang Confectionery (Everton Park) is an obvious place to visit for some good ol’ ang ku kueh, and for good reason. Their Everton Park stall has been making those red tortoise-shaped cakes since 1988, with loyal fans insisting the kueh is still as delectable as ever. Each ang ku kueh is freshly made, and full of the filling of your choice, whether it be Peanut ($1.30), Sweet Bean ($1.30) or Yam ($1.40).
Address: 1 Everton Park, #01-33, Everton Park, Singapore 081001
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 8am to 5pm
Tel: 6223 1631
Website
Ji Xiang Confectionery (Everton Park) is not a halal-certified eatery.
As the world’s first Michelin-starred Peranakan restaurant, Candlenut has a high bar to meet. More often than not, however, diners come away raving about how superb the food is. With noteworthy modern influences, a dish such as the Westholme Wagyu Beef Rib Rendang ($48++) combines premium ingredients with homely flavours. Even the simple Chap Chye ($28++) is said to be several rungs above what you’d normally expect from such a dish.
Address: 17A Dempsey Road, Singapore 249676
Opening hours: Daily 12pm to 3pm, 6pm to 10pm
Tel: 1800 304 2288
Website
Candlenut is not a halal-certified eatery.
When it comes to old-school Nyonya kueh, Molly’s is one name that frequently crops up in conversations. While their Ang Gu Kueh ($0.90 each) and Kueh Dah Dah ($0.90 each) are classics, it is those rainbow-coloured Kueh Lapis ($0.80 each) that always catch the attention of storegoers. Beyond its pretty aesthetic, it is said to have a rich coconutty flavour and a delightful texture.
Address: 104 Hougang Avenue 1, #01-1121, Singapore 530104
Opening hours: Mon 6am to 6:30pm, Tue-Fri 6am to 7:30pm, Mon 6am to 6:30pm, Sun 6am to 5pm
Tel: 6286 4234
Website
Molly’s is not a halal-certified eatery.
With its rich heritage and tantalising flavours, there’s plenty of great Peranakan food out there for you to try, and we’re sure you’ll love some of the picks on this list.
For eateries that offer great Malaysian food, check out our Malaysian food places in Singapore. If you’re looking for laksa, read our best laksa in Singapore guide.
This post was brought to you by Cherki.
Featured image adapted from Cherki, @memantos, and Jensen Chua Photography via Google Maps.