Best Peranakan Restaurants in Singapore

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If you’re a fan of rich flavors and vibrant heritage, Peranakan food is a must-try in Singapore. Here’s a roundup of some of the best places to enjoy this unique cuisine, from Michelin-starred spots to cozy family-run joints. So, check out BusyKidd’s Guide to learn the best Peranakan restaurants in Singapore.

What is Peranakan Food

Peranakan food, also known as Nyonya or Straits Chinese cuisine, is a unique blend of Chinese, Malay, and Indonesian influences. It originates from the Peranakan (or Baba-Nyonya) community, descendants of Chinese immigrants who settled in the Malay Archipelago, including Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia, and adopted many local customs while keeping their Chinese heritage.

Key Features of Peranakan Cuisine:

  • Spicy and Flavorful: Peranakan food is known for its bold and complex flavors, with heavy use of spices like tamarind, lemongrass, galangal, and belacan (shrimp paste). The dishes often balance sweetness, spiciness, sourness, and savoriness.
  • Signature Ingredients: Key ingredients include coconut milk, chillies, and various herbs and spices, alongside meats, seafood, and vegetables. Common dishes use ingredients like buah keluak (a black nut), pandan, turmeric, and kaffir lime leaves to create rich, layered flavors.
  • Slow-Cooking Methods: Many dishes, such as stews and curries, are slow-cooked, allowing the flavors to meld together. The cooking process can be quite labor-intensive, reflecting the care and tradition behind the recipes.

Popular Peranakan Dishes:

  • Ayam Buah Keluak: A rich, earthy chicken stew made with the pungent buah keluak nuts.
  • Laksa: A spicy coconut milk-based noodle soup with shrimp or chicken, flavored with lemongrass, chillies, and spices.
  • Babi Pongteh: A slow-braised pork dish with fermented soybeans and potatoes.
  • Chap Chye: A vegetable stew cooked with cabbage, mushrooms, and glass noodles.
  • Kueh: Colorful, bite-sized sweet or savory snacks, often made with rice flour and coconut, such as kueh lapis or ondeh-ondeh.

Candlenut

Peranakan restaurants food Candlenut

Image Credit: Candlenut via Facebook

This one’s special—Candlenut is the world’s first Michelin-starred Peranakan restaurant. Helmed by chef-owner Malcolm Lee, it serves traditional dishes with a modern twist. For the full experience, go for the Ah-ma-kase menu, which offers communal plates like lobster kueh pie tee, lamb neck satay, buah keluak beef stew, and chendol.

Violet Oon Singapore

Peranakan restaurants food Violet Onn restaurant

Image Credit: Violet Oon via Instagram

A true icon in Singapore’s food scene, Violet Oon’s restaurant brings Peranakan classics to life with an elegant, contemporary twist. From ayam buah keluak to dry laksa and sambal eggplant, the rich flavors are not to be missed. Don’t forget to leave room for desserts like kueh beng kah and pulut hitam. Oh, and there’s a plant-based menu, too!

  • Address: National Gallery Singapore, Ion Orchard, and more
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True Blue Cuisine

For a homely, traditional experience, True Blue Cuisine is a must-try. The Nyonya recipes have been passed down through generations, and the setting feels like stepping into the past. Dishes like ayam buah keluak and chap chye (stewed cabbage with vermicelli) are as authentic as they come.

  • Address: 47/49 Armenian Street, Singapore 179937
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Bonding Kitchen

Once a private dining gem in Johor Bahru, Bonding Kitchen now sits pretty on Orchard Road, serving up Peranakan dishes with a twist. The kueh pie tee here is a must—think fluffier-than-usual shells that melt in your mouth.

  • Address: #02-18, Orchardgateway, 277 Orchard Road, Singapore 238858
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Rempapa

Peranakan restaurants food Rempapa

Image Credit: Rempapa via Instagram

Chef Damian D’Silva brings his love for heritage cuisine to life at Rempapa. The dishes here span Peranakan, Chinese, Eurasian, Indian, and Malay flavors, with highlights like sambal buah keluak, chap chye, and beef rendang. If you’re a dessert lover, the kueh platter is a must-try.

  • Address: #01-01/02/03, Park Place Residences at PLQ, 2 Paya Lebar Road, Singapore 409053
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Old Bibik’s Peranakan Kitchen

For a taste of time-honored Peranakan recipes, Old Bibik’s is your go-to. This halal-certified restaurant serves up comforting, traditional dishes like beef rendang and grilled sambal barramundi in a nostalgic setting.

  • Address: #01-02, 328 Joo Chiat Road, Singapore 427585
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Simply Peranakan Cuisine

If you’re new to Peranakan cuisine, this restaurant is a fantastic starting point. It’s known for its hearty, affordable dishes and welcoming vibe. Signature dishes include assam fish head curry, lobster noodles, and bakwan kepiting soup.

  • Address: #01-05, Hotel Chancellor, 28 Cavenagh Road, Singapore 229635
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Chilli Padi Nonya Restaurant

Renowned for its sambal belacan, Chilli Padi Nonya offers a wide range of Peranakan favorites like ayam buah keluak, ikan assam pedas fish head, and BBQ sotong. The east-side location is perfect for a cozy family meal.

  • Address: #01-03, 11 Joo Chiat Place, Singapore 427744
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Godmama

Peranakan restaurants food Godmama restaurant

Image Credit: Godmama.sg

Mixing classic Peranakan dishes with modern twists, Godmama is a great spot for a contemporary dining experience. Think lamb shank rendang, sambal buah keluak fried rice, and pulut hitam panna cotta. Don’t miss their affordable weekday lunch sets or weekend brunch with options like otak otak benedict.

House of Peranakan

A long-standing favorite since 1985, the House of Peranakan group offers no-fuss, home-style Peranakan food. From curry fish head to assam prawns, the dishes here are straightforward but deeply comforting.

Guan Hoe Soon

Peranakan restaurants food Guan Hoe Soon restaurant

Image Credit: Josephine Tan via Google reviews

Established in 1953, Guan Hoe Soon is one of Singapore’s oldest Peranakan restaurants. The food here is all about tradition, with dishes like ayam buah keluak, sayur lodeh, and prawns in spicy tamarind sauce. Perfect for a nostalgic dining experience.

  • Address: #01-01, 200 Joo Chiat Road, Singapore 427471
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The Blue Ginger

A Michelin Bib Gourmand recipient, The Blue Ginger has been around since 1995, serving up timeless Peranakan dishes. Whether you’re at the Tanjong Pagar original or the Great World outlet, expect delightful plates like beef rendang and Nyonya fish head curry.

Ivins Peranakan Restaurant

Ivins may not be fancy, but it’s beloved for its affordable and delicious Peranakan comfort food. From itek sio (braised duck) to sambal prawns and curry fish head, this place is a treasure for gravy lovers.

Daisy’s Dream Kitchen

Peranakan restaurants food Daisy’s Dream Kitchen

Image Credit: Daisy’s Dream Kitchen via Facebook

Located in Temasek Club, Daisy’s Dream Kitchen is a family-run spot serving up Peranakan food made with recipes handed down through generations. If you love spice, don’t skip the belacan chilli—it’s a real kick!

  • Address: #01-01, Temasek Club, 131 Rifle Range Road, Singapore 588396
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TingKat PeraMakan

Though the fancy PeraMakan restaurant closed, TingKat PeraMakan continues the legacy at its casual outlets. Dishes like beef rendang and babi pong teh are staples here, and the set meals are a great deal.

Featured Image Credit: Violet Oon via Instagram

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