With its roots in Chinese, Malay, and Indonesian cooking, Peranakan cuisine is a melting pot of flavours, with complex and labour-intensive recipes that can take years to master. Fortunately, authentic Peranakan cuisine is becoming increasingly accessible and versatile, with both traditional eateries and modern fusion restaurants emerging all over Singapore.
Be it ayam buah keluak or sweet and sticky Nyonya kueh, here are 10 places where you can find some of the best Peranakan cuisine on our shores.
1. Tingkat PeraMakan
Tingkat PeraMakan was founded by fourth generation Nyonya Kathryn Ho who wanted to preserve the rich Peranakan culture and heritage through food.
Here, you’ll find classic dishes such as Beef Rendang (S$16.20), Ayam Buah Keluak (S$16.20), and Babi Pongtay (S$13.20) — just like how Grandma cooks them. The menu might be relatively simple, but the food is authentic and as close to home-cooked Peranakan cuisine as it gets.
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???? Multiple outlets across Singapore
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2. Guan Hoe Soon Restaurant
Located in a shophouse along Joo Chiat, Guan Hoe Soon retains a nostalgic, time-worn charm that attests to its rich heritage. Opened in 1953, the old-school eatery is known for being one of Singapore’s oldest Peranakan restaurants.
With their recipes being passed down from one generation to the next, you can expect authentic Peranakan cuisine that’s deeply rooted in tradition.
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???? 200 Joo Chiat Road #01-01, Singapore 427471
???? 11am – 3pm and 5.30pm – 9pm (Mon to Fri), 11am – 3pm and 5pm – 9pm (Sat to Sun)
3. Bonding Kitchen
Bonding Kitchen serves Nyonya cuisine with an elegant, modern twist — all without losing the comforting, homely quality that Peranakan food should have.
Their Kueh Pie Tee (S$12 for 4), a Peranakan favourite, is made from scratch and served DIY-style so you can try your hand at topping the crisp shell with the flavourful fillings. Or, for something more unique, try the Sotong Masak Hitam (S$20), squid wok-fried with squid ink, tamarind juice, and shrimp paste. It might sound unusual, but it’s a popular favourite that’s won over many customers.
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???? 277 Orchard Road #02-18, orchardgateway, Singapore 238858
???? 11.30am – 3pm and 5pm – 9pm (Tue to Sun)
4. Godmama
At Godmama, you’ll find the best of both worlds: authentic Peranakan cuisine, as well as innovative modern creations inspired by the traditional flavours. With their strong flavours, warm service, and bold dishes, the restaurant prides itself in offering the best of Peranakan culture.
Their weekend brunch menu, in particular, blends the old and the new to create unique items such as Otak Otak Benedict (S$19.90), Pulled Pork Pongteh Tacos (S$17.90), and Peranakan-inspired cocktails.
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???? Funan, #04-07, 107 North Bridge Road, Singapore 179097
???? 11am – 3.30pm and 6pm – 9pm (Mon to Thur), 11am – 3.30pm and 6pm – 10pm (Fri), 10am – 3.30pm and 6pm – 10pm (Sat to Sun)
5. Charlie’s Peranakan Food
Peranakan food doesn’t need to be expensive to be good. With their hearty dishes and affordable prices, Charlie’s Peranakan Food at Golden Mile Food Centre has made a name for themselves over the years.
Tucked away in a corner of the food centre, the humble hawker stall offers a wide range of authentic Peranakan dishes, including a robust Chap Chye (S$5), flavourful Itek Sio (S$13), and tender Babi Pongteh (S$12).
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???? 505 Beach Rd, #B1-30, Singapore 199583
???? 11.30am – 7.30pm (Mon to Sun)
6. Old Bibik’s Peranakan Kitchen
This halal-certified restaurant serves some of the most authentic Nyonya cuisine that you can find in Singapore. Their dishes are all painstakingly prepared using traditional methods that have been passed down through generations, and with only the freshest ingredients.
The casual diner serves a wide range of traditional Peranakan dishes, and highlights of their menu include the Signature Beef Rendang (S$18 onwards), Grilled Sambal Barramundi (S$39 onwards), and Crispy Chinchalok Omelette (S$18 onwards).
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???? 328 Joo Chiat Rd, #01-02, Singapore 427585
???? 11.30am – 9.30pm (Mon to Sun)
7. Violet Oon
With esteemed food connoisseur Violet Oon at its helm, this luxurious restaurant serves elevated Nyonya cuisine with stunning flavours and beautiful presentation. Highlights of the extensive menu include the Dry Laksa (S$29), the Buah Keluak Ayam (S$28), and the Kuay Pie Tee (S$19).
For those with a sweet tooth, the restaurant also offers a delightful selection of cakes, kuehs, and treats inspired by Peranakan flavours — so definitely make sure to save room for dessert.
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???? Multiple outlets across Singapore
???? Opening hours dependent on outlet
8. Marie’s Lapis Cafe
Before she and her son opened Marie’s Lapis Cafe, Marie Yeo baked and sold kueh lapis for 40 years. Now, you’ll find her popular kueh lapis as part of the cafe’s creative dessert offerings — from Lapis Misu (S$8), coffee kueh lapis cubes infused in tiramisu, to Lapis in Wonderland (S$12), their signature dessert consisting of kueh lapis with juicy grapes in poached red wine and vanilla ice cream
You’ll also find traditional dishes such as Ngoh Hiang (S$12) and Nasi Campur (S$16) on the menu, as well as more innovative creations such as Buah Keluak Spaghetti (S$16).
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???? 537 Bedok North Street 3, #01-575, Singapore 460537
???? 10am – 10pm (Tue to Sun)
9. Candlenut
One of the most well-known Nyonya restaurants in Singapore, Candlenut holds the title of being the world’s first Michelin-starred Peranakan restaurant. The dishes here are elevated and modern, yet hold through to their traditional roots.
To experience all of the restaurant’s best dishes, go for the Taste of Candlenut menu (S$88+ per pax for lunch, S$188+ per pax for dinner) where you’ll get to sample the likes of Wing Bean Salad, Babi Assam, and Kueh Pie Tee with Buah Keluak Otah-Otah and Kaffir Lime Leaf.
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???? 17a Dempsey Rd, Singapore 249676
???? 12pm – 3pm and 6pm – 10pm (Mon to Sun)
10. House of Peranakan
When it comes to the local Peranakan food scene, chef Bob Seah is one of the renowned pioneers. It’s thanks to him that we see dishes such as Assam Prawns and Long Beans Sambal today.
It’s no surprise, then, that the House of Peranakan group of restaurants, which he established in the 1980s, has received its fair share of accolades over the years. A must-try item on the menu is the Curry Fish Head (S$30), which was awarded the best dish in Singapore by the Asian Wall Street Journal in 2002.
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???? Multiple outlets across Singapore
???? Opening hours dependent on outlet
So the next time you’re craving Peranakan fare, take your pick from these great options!
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