Peranakan restaurants in Singapore: The best places to look for delicious Peranakan food

Whether you’re a vistor or a long-time local, no Singapore experience is complete without a taste of Peranakan food.

Peranakan food contains a large amount of fragrant spices due to its strong Malay and Indonesian influences, resulting in a “flavour bomb” of complex tastes that people who have tried it will never forget. Read on to find out the best, royal-approved Peranakan dishes that Singapore has to offer.

House of Peranakan (Petit, Cuisine, and Peranakan Inn restaurant)

Here is a dining experience truly fitted for a royal: various VIPs such as Her Royal Highness Maha Chakri Sirindhorn of the Kingdom of Thailand (Cuisine branch), and second Deputy Prime Minister of Singapore, Dr Goh Keng Swee (Peranakan Inn) have all dined in this famed restaurant.

While all three branches serve the finest Peranakan dishes cooked by CEO and founder Bob Seah, each has a unique charm that sets them apart from others. The Petit branch is a cozy 30-seater, great for a tête-à-tête with your closest friends, or, if you have a larger family gathering, the spacious 90-seater Cuisine branch would be the perfect fit. Looking for a Instagrammable place instead? Try the Peranakan Inn restaurant that features old-school windows, signboards and blue walls that is sure to be a hit on your page.

House of Peranakan Petit: 42 Eng Hoon St, Tiong Bahru Estate, Singapore 169785

House of Peranakan Cuisine: 103 Frankel Ave, Singapore 458225

Peranakan Inn: 210 East Coast Rd, Singapore 428909

Their best dishes:

Pulut Hitam (black glutinous rice desert served with coconut cream)

Curry Fish Head

Also try its award-winning Curry Fish Head that is cited by Asian Wall Street Journal as Singapore’s best dish.

Old Bibik’s Peranakan Kitchen

Famous for serving dishes that taste like homemade food, this casual diner has racked up a long list of loyal fans, including both locals and hoards of tourists. The recipes of this restaurant has been passed down for two generations, and had been featured in countless media publications.

Address: 328 Joo Chiat Rd, #01-02, Singapore 427585.

Their best dishes:

Beef Rendang

Cincalok Omelette

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It never occurred to me that cincalok omelette could be this good – this was a no-holds-barred, no-apologies deep-fried bomb of eggs, blossomed in hot oil into a billowing, flossy mass. In spite of the amount of oil it must have taken to achieve this, it was masterful frying without too much greasiness, and the crisp flossy edges had the slightest hint of something resembling salted egg. Here, the cincalok omelette is elevated from being a nondescript sidedish, to the star highlight of the table. Thanks to @jes.creates and @shauntantl for the recommendation and great company! #oldbibiksperanakankitchen #cincalokomelette #cincalok #omelette #eggs #friedegg #fried #friedfood #peranakan #nonya #peranakanfood #katong #joochiat #xhlocalfood #xhperanakanfood #xhsingapore #حلال #halalfood #sghalal #halalsg #halalsgfood #sgfood #foodsg #sgfood #sgfoodies #sgfoodblogger #singaporefood #instafood #foodstagram #burpplesg

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PeraMakan

In addition to the well-known Keppel Bay PeraMakan outlet, the Tingkat PeraMakan outlet at Owen Road serves the same dishes but at the smaller portion and a more wallet-friendly price, making it great for a quick Peranakan craving fix, or a casual gathering with your friends and family.

PeraMakan: 10 Bukit Chermin Road Level 3, Keppel Club, Singapore 109918

TingKat PeraMakan: 119 Owen Rd, Singapore 218924

Their best dishes

Beef Rendang

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Ayam Buah Keluak, Beef Rendang, Durian Chendol. Seemingly a favorite spot of @ieatishootipost as he rates a number of dishes 4.5/5 or higher. Sadly didn't get to try 3 of the 6 dishes I wanted to as they didn't have them on the current menu. But what i did have was good, while nothing id get again probably glad i tried. The chendol was better than the first one i had a couple days ago. The ayam buah Keluak is pretty unique which I liked. . . . . . #singapore #asian #lovefood #foodie #eeeeeats #foodporn #eatingfortheinsta #nomcity #food #delish #forkyeah #sgfoodies #sgfood #sgeats #sgfoodporn #igsg #sgig #instafood #foodie #dining #eat #yummy #yum #foodpic #foodporn #foodaddict @peramakansg

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Chendol

The Blue Ginger

Known for the authentic taste its food evokes, this Peranakan restaurant is rated 4.3/5 on Facebook, and boasts 401 recommendations despite serving simple, one-dish-per-meal dishes. The original branch of this diner is set in a old shophouse at Tanjong Pagar, but has since expanded to a new location in Great World City due to the massive success of its first branch.

Addresses: 97 Tanjong Pagar Rd, Singapore 088518 and 1 Kim Seng Promenade, #01-106, Singapore 237994

Their best dishes:

Nonya noodles

Durian Chendol

National Kitchen by Violet Oon

You know it has to be one of the best when its located in the National Gallery of Singapore. One of the most famous local restaurant chains in Singapore, National Kitchen by Violet Oon’s dishes are as rich and complex as its decor, and is popular among tourists who want a Peranakan fine dining experience.

Address: 1 St. Andrew’s Road, #02-01 National Gallery Singapore, City Hall Wing, Singapore 178957

Take note that the chef also runs other restaurants in Singapore. You can find all their locations here. Also check out our review of their food at Violet Oon Singapore ION Orchard.

Their best dishes:

Laksa

Beef Rendang

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. . ?National Kitchen by Violet Oon at the National Gallery . . . The National Kitchen by Violet Oon is our favorite restaurant in Singapore for Nyonya cuisine. The chef of National Kitchen is Violet Oon, a Singapore Nyonya and a well known authority in Asian cuisine who’s specialty is Nyonya cuisine. Nyonya cuisine comes from the Peranakans, the descendants of early Chinese migrants who settled in Penang, Malacca, Singapore, and Indonesia. They inter-married with local Malays, blending southeast Asian cultures and cooking traditions. • • . I always order my favorite Nyonya dishes whenever I dine at the National Kitchen. These are the most delicious and memorable dishes that my foodie group and I recommend. • . ?BEEF RENDANG, beef shin braised in spices flavored with kaffir and bay leaves in coconut sauce. This is the best tasting beef rendang I have had in Singapore so far. . . ?BUAH KELUAK AYAM, classic Nyonya chicken stew and buah keluak nut infused with fresh root of lengkuas (galanga) and turmeric. Buah keluak nut is used in cooking after various processes of soaking, boiling and underground fermentation to leach the seeds of poisonous hydrocyanic acid. The black oily nut has flavors similar to cacao, mushrooms and black olives. • • . ?BAKED COD IN CREAMY LAKSA SAUCE drizzled with coriander pesto. • • . ?PULUT HITAM WITH COCONUT ICE CREAM, black glutinous rice stewed with gula melaka and coconut milk, topped with coconut ice cream. Gula melaka is made from the boiled sap of coconut palm. • • . ?Michelin Plate 2019 . . . #nationalkitchenbyvioletoon #violetoon #nyonya #nyonyacuisine #peranakan #nationalgallerysingapore #beefrendang #thebestbeefrendang #buahkeluak #buahkeluakayam #nyonyachickenstew #chickenstew #buahkeluaknut #bakedcod #laksasauce #laksa #corianderpesto #puluthitam #coconuticecream #blackglutinousrice #gulamelaka #lengkuas #nyonyarestaurant #singaporerestaurants #singaporeeats #bestofsingapore #michelinguide #michelinguidesg #michelinplate #discoversingapore ??

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Godmama

This unique restaurant name is created by joining “Godma” and “Mama” together, both of whom had been great influences on the founder’s early life. The recipes used to create the dishes are also passed down to her, inspiring her to replicate her favourite dishes for the public.

Address: 109 North Bridge Rd, Funan Mall, #04-07 North Bridge Rd, Singapore 179105

Their best dishes:

Laksa pasta fusion

Beef Rendang

Candlenut

Candlenut is the world’s first Michelin starred Peranakan restaurant – so it definitely has in our list of best Peranakan restaurants in Singapore. Like House of Peranakan, Candlenut is often visited by VIPs, including the Obamas recently.

Address: 17A Dempsey Rd, Singapore 249676

Their best dishes:

Chincalok omelette:

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The simplest dishes are often the best. One of the humblest yet essential companion to any Peranakan meal, our Chincalok Omelette is made with house-fermented baby shrimp (chincalok or grago), Freedom Range Co. eggs, spring onions and crab meat. Fluffy and aromatic, just the way omelettes should be, really. – #CandlenutSG #COMODempsey . . . . . . . . . #sgfoodies #sgfood #michelin #michelinestar #michelinstarguide #michelinchefs #modernperanakan #sgperanakan #peranakanfoodsg #sgfoodporn #instafood_sg #sgeats #singaporefoodie #passionmadepossible #sgfoodtrend #singaporefoodie #foodsgram #visitsingapore #peranakanstyle #peranakan #peranakanfood #peranakanrestaurant #igeats #sgeat #chincalok #omelette #freerangeeggs

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Ayam Bakar Buah Keras

O’nya Sayang

Known as the wallet-friendly neighborhood Peranakan restaurant by many, this eatery doesn’t intimidate like others on this list, thanks to its friendly prices. It serves up home-style food that satisfies customers without breaking the bank.

Address: 60 Paya Lebar Road, #B1-30/31, Paya Lebar Square, Singapore 409051

Their best dishes:

Lor Bak noodles

Chendol

Chong Wen Ge Cafe

Located in one of Singapore’s oldest Chinese temples, this cafe is furnished with hundreds of Peranakan culture inspired tiles, antiques and attires. Even though the menu is said to be simple, with one page for food and another for drinks, this lesser known diner would be the perfect spot to take Instagram-worthy photos, while enjoying authentic Peranakan food.

Address: 168 Telok Ayer Street, Singapore 068619

Their best dishes:

Laksa

Indocafe

Nestled in a corner of Scott’s Road, this Peranakan cafe is known to give its diners a luxurious experience with its luxe, opulent decor, and sumptuous spread all at a relatively reasonable price.

Address: 35 Scotts Road, Singapore 228227.

Their best dishes:

Beef Rendang

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?Newton, Singapore ・ 両親アテンド振り返り? 両親揃っての最終日の夜はプラナカン料理?「INDOCAFE」へ。 黒×白を基調とした高級感のある邸宅の中は、プラナカン雑貨や服の装飾がずらり。 ・ 前日にホーカーセンターへ連れて行った時は微妙な反応だったけど、こちらは「何食べても美味しい!」と大絶賛? ・ 味付けもあっさりと優しく、アラ還の両親の味覚に合ったよう? ペナン島名物のアッサム・ラクサも発見?酸っぱ辛くて美味しい✨ こちらのお店、プラナカンスタイルのハイティーもあるみたいなので、今度行ってみたい?☕️ ・ 料理も雰囲気もしっかり堪能した後は、ムスタファ→けいすけちゃんぽん王(また食べる?)→チャイムス→ジュエル→見送りとやや駆け足のスケジュール?深夜便なので、最後の最後まで詰め込みました? ・ 先に父が帰国✈️➿ ・ #シンガポール #シンガポール生活 #シンガポールカフェ #singapore #singaporefood #singaporelife #マレーシア #ジョホールバル #Malaysia #johorbahru #johor #jbfood #jbcafe #indocafe #プラナカン #プラナカン料理 #ニョニャ #ニョニャ料理

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Colonial Club

With delightful, local signature dishes such as their famous Nasi Lemak, paired with the minimal Colonial style decor, it is no wonder that this restaurant is such a hit and is always swarming with post-landing, hungry tourists.

Colonial Club: 65 Airport Blvd, Changi Airport Terminal 3,  #03-33, Singapore 819633

Colonial Club Signature: 290 Orchard Rd, Paragon Shopping Centre, #B1-43, Singapore 238859.

Their best dishes:

Nasi Lemak

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Nasi Lemak

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Prawn noodles

Heritage House

If you have a serious sweet tooth, this Peranakan confectionary house may be your favourite on the list! Heritage House creates all sorts of desserts and pastries, from pastel rainbow mooncakes to new year pastries, perfect for hosting guests and giving them a pleasant surprise, or simply to give as a gift.

Address: 2 Venture Drive, Vision Exchange, #02-43, Singapore 608526

Their best dishes:

Rainbow mooncake

Traditional nonya cakes

Babachews

A favourite amongst youngsters, this restaurant has a tasteful mix of modern yet retro decor that mirrors its Mod-Sin (Modern Singaporean) selection of food, including fascinating odd combinations like Otah You Tiao (Spicy fish cake in a dough stick), or Salmon with Laksa sauce.

Address: 86 East Coast Road, Katong Square, Singapore 428788

Their best dishes:

Mille Feuille with rojak flavored cream and sliced fruits

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"Definitely a showstopper. 3 layers mille feuille adorned with all my favorite fruits. A surprise and unique pairing that came in the form of rojak flavored cream. Yes… you can truly taste that hae kor (prawn paste) and a hint of torched ginger.⁠. Pretty sight that deserved a "gasp". – @Msginginly⁠ ⁠ Experience an explosion of taste with our newest Mod-Sin dish – the Fruit 'Rojak' Mille Feuille⁠ ⁠ This delightfully rich dessert is made from layers of filo pastry with strawberry, mango & kiwi, filled with harko (light shrimp paste) cream custard & delicate flavours of torch ginger flower?⁠ ⁠ ?:Msginginly⁠ .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ #dessert #Sgmakan #SgCafeFood #Instafood #Foodzone #Foodpics #FoodNetwork #FoodLife #FoodForFoodies #SgCafes #InstaFoodSg #FoodPorn #Foodgasm #Whati8today #SingaporeRestaurants #SgFoodies #Hungry #FusionFood #DeliciousFood #YummyFood #Instagood #instafoodie #SgCafe #fruits #SingaporeInsiders #cheatday #desserts #dessertporn #dessertlover #desserttime

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It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas, everywhere you go…..and it sure looks like Christmas with this beautiful dessert dressed in festive colours.⁠ ⁠ Featuring the new Modern-Singaporean dessert on our menu: the Fruit 'Rojak' Mille Feuille. Lots of surprises in this pretty dessert, with rojak flavoured custard, torch ginger flower-infused fruits and more. ⁠ ⁠ Get a taste of it now?⁠ .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ #rojak #modsin #creative #creativedessert #desserts #sweetending #sweets #millefeuille #eastmeetswest #expatliving #wineanddine #sgfoodies #eatoutsg #sgfoodies #singaporerestaurants #sgcafes #sgcafehopping #wheretoeat #whati8today #onthetable #foodstagram #instafoodsg #sgmakandiaries

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Lobster and Seafood Curry Risotto

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For this festive season, enjoy our Christmas takeaway specials in individual portions for dine-in: Lobster & Seafood Curry Risotto and Assam Turkey Breast Fricassees ?⁠ ⁠ Seafood lovers will enjoy the umami-laden Lobster & Seafood Curry Risotto, with its local infusion of curry flavours and Chinese sausages. For a meaty decadence, sink your teeth into our turkey breast stewed in house-made assam pineapple puree and rempah.⁠ ⁠ These specials are available daily for lunch and dinner (except for Christmas lunch) till the 25th Dec 2019✨⁠ ⁠ For more, check out our festive takeaways (link in bio) and/or our Baba-licious buffet on the 24th for dinner and 25th Dec for brunch. Find out more at www.babachews.com.sg/happenings/ ⁠ .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ #lobster #seafood #seafoodtime #seafoodlover #modsin #sgcafes #sgrestaurant #festive #christmas2019 #christmas #festive #festiveseason #feast ⁠#feasting #feastday #sgfoodies #celebration #celebrations #sgfood #instafoodsg #foodpics #foodstagram #sgfoodporn #deliciousfood #yummyfood #foodlover #yearendcelebration #festivefood⁠ #foodporn #instafoodsg

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Baba Chews @babachews located at Hotel Indigo Singapore Katong @hotelindigokatongsg is known to serves diverse menu of Mod-Sin (Modern Singaporean), local favourites and western comfort dishes. This Christmas, the team has created a festive Mod-Sin menu that’s available for dine-in & takeaways till 25 Dec 2019. Highlights includes: . ? Lobster & Seafood Curry Risotto ? Kopi C Flavoured BBQ Pork Spareribs ? Kopi &Chocolate Yule Log . The Baba Chews Festive Takeaway Menu is available for order from now at http://bit.ly/babachewsfestivetakeaway . Location: 86 East Coast Road, #01-01, Katong Square, Singapore 428788 . #babachews #hotelindigokatong #burpple #burpplesg #sgchristmas2019 #mfxmas2019

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The Curry Wok

Located in a quiet corner of Bukit Timah, The Curry Wok serves up homely and comforting dishes that never fail to satisfy its diners each time they visit, despite its humble appearance.

Address: 5 Coronation Rd, Coronation Arcade, #01-04, Singapore 269406.

Their best dishes:

Curry Fish Head

Simply Peranakan

Well known for its intricate, Peranakan-style textiles and decor that can be seen through the glass windows, this eatery serves up very traditional Peranakan dishes that hotel guests flock to during meal times.

Address: 28 Cavenagh Road, Hotel Chancellor @ Orchard, #01-05, Singapore 229635

Their best dishes:

Assam Fish Head Curry

Guan Hoe Soon

Evident from the aged wooden furniture, this is Singapore’s oldest Peranakan restaurant, and has been open since 1953. It is even said to be late Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew’s favourite restaurant, due to the food’s authentic Peranakan taste!

Address: 38/40 Joo Chiat Place, Singapore 427762

Their best dishes:

Chendol

Beef Rendang and Ngoh Hiang

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Embracing my baba roots today at Guan Hoe Soon Peranakan Restaurant! @guanhoesoon From top left: Bak-Wan-Kerpiting Soup (SGD$$22.80), Ayam Buak Keluak (SGD$22.80), Nonya Udang Prawns (SGD$20.80), Beef Rendang (SGD$22.80), Nonya Chap Chye (SGD$15.50) and Fried Ngo Hiang. My top favourites were beef rendang as the meat was so tender and the sauce was impressively splendid. I also enjoyed the bakwan kepiting soup as the broth was flavourful and the meat was tasty. At some other places, the broth can be quite bland. The fried Ngo Hiang caught my attention too as it wasn’t too greasy and the skin was crispy in the outside. The taste of the mince meat fillings inside was moderately sweet. All in all, I had a pleasant lunch experience at Guan Hoe Soon, service was acceptable and we did not waited too long for the food to arrive. I will be back again!

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Folklore

The head chef of this restaurant is half Eurasian and half Peranakan, which explains why the menu at his restaurant is a fusion of the two cultures. Situated in Destination Singapore Beach Road Hotel, a new establishment by Park Hotel Group, this is yet another hotspot for Peranakan food, for tourists and locals alike.

Address: 700 Beach Road, Destination Singapore Beach Road, Level 2, Singapore 199598

Their best dishes:

Buah Keluak fried rice

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We visited Folklore by Chef Damian D'Silva. Being half peranakan, caffeine girl was most delighted to have some peranakan food with a modern twist on it! Pictured in this post we have the: Sambal Buah Keluak Fried Rice ($28) • Hati Bani Bungkus (minced pork and liver marinated and wrapped in caul fat, then grilled and served with pickled mustard leaves, $20 for 4 pcs) • Beef Cheek Rendang ($36) • Bakwan Kepiting (succulent crab meatballs in a pork and prawn broth, $20) • Sweet Potato Leaves with Prawns ($16) . The buah keluak fried rice was pretty decent, save for the fact that it wasn't quite enough to feed 4 people! Perhaps being more used to the taste of the buah keluak nut, we wouldn't mind if they had made it slightly stronger! The hati bani bangkus reminded us of blood sausages that one typically tastes in Europe. The winner dish for us was the beef cheek rendang that was amazingly succulent!!! It was melt in your mouth kinda good and the sauce was also impressive. The soup tasted like exactly like a typical Western crab bisque (in our opinion), which was interesting because it had that Asian twist of meatballs. The sweet potato leaves was very homely, reminded us exactly of how our grandparents would cook it– nothing fancy, just a basic dish one would come home to! Overall, we would definitely come back again even though we always say the best peranakan food is the one cooked at home ?

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Tok Panjang

Named after the Peranakan tradition of feasting at long tables, this small and casual restaurant serves Peranakan food to many office crowds during lunch hour, as well as families seeking to satisfy their Peranakan food cravings.

Address: 331 New Bridge Road, Dorsett Residences, #01-03,  Singapore 088764

Their best dishes:

Nasi Lemak

Chendol with durian pulp

Whole Earth

One of the rare vegetarian Peranakan restaurants in Singapore, Whole Earth still manages to create mouth-watering dishes that could win over even the biggest meat-lover. This is definitely a Peranakan restaurant to bring your vegetarian friend to, or if you want to see how their chefs manage whip up good Peranakan dishes without using meats.

Address: 76 Peck Seah Street, Singapore 079331

Their best dishes:

Sambal King

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Sambal greens. 超配饭!

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Olive rice