All things Peranakan! Peranakan seems to be the buzzword for the month of July as we visited 3 restaurants serving fine Peranakan cuisines and the Peranakan Museum is showcasing Nyonya Needlework. So head down to these places for your dose of Peranakan experience.
The Peranakan
The Peranakan, a 130-seater restaurant is also easily accessible via Orchard Road’s latest mall, Claymore Connect and is currently the only Straits cuisine restaurant along the Orchard Road.
A typical Peranakan meal comprises a generous selection of mouth-watering and aromatic dishes usually served with rice, as most of the dishes are gravy-rich and sometimes spicy in flavour.
Chef Raymond shares that each dish has a personal significance to him but the ‘super bagus’ (directly translated as ‘extra good’) are special only because he has incorporated his own twist to the original recipe or chosen to highlight the particular dish because it is especially challenging to prepare and serve
A distinguishing culinary offer at The Peranakan is it’s unique ‘Tok Panjang’ – a grand Peranakan feast, once served at the turn of the century, by wealthy Straits families to mark special occasions like weddings, anniversaries and important birthdays. In addition to this there will be a Six-Course Degustation menu and the Chef’s Table Set Menu, an array of celebrated nonya takeaway cakes and desserts served alongside the regular Ala carte menu.
The Peranakan’s Tok Panjang is available for Lunch and Dinner and offers a smorgasbord of ‘super bagus’ and favourite dishes served in rattan baskets at S$45 per person or $65 per person. Each guest who attends a Tok Panjang will receive a complimentary souvenir – a personalized certificate of attendance with a Peranakan ‘pantun’ (poem) about Singapore’s Founding Father, Lee Kuan Yew, to mark the event.
The Peranakan is located at Level 2, unit 02-01, Claymore Connect@ Orchard Hotel, Singapore 238879.
Reservations at +65 6262 4428
Special Events and Catering at +65 6262 4728
Oscar’s, Conrad Centennial Singapore
From July 11 till August 31, 2016, Oscar’s brings back Local Delights with Peranakan Highlights, featuring a special Dry Laksa Pasta with Spicy Coconut Espuma Foam – created by renowned food blogger, Miss Tam Chiak. Helmed by Senior Chef de Cuisine Alex Siah, tuck into a tantalising array of traditional Peranakan dishes such as Ayam Buah Keluak, Pongteh Ayam, Udang Masak Assam, Nonya Chap Chye, and more. In addition, savour other Singaporean favourites such as Roast Duck, Sweet and Sour Crispy Pork Belly, Spicy Chilli Crab with Crispy Fried Bun, Sambal String Ray served on Banana Leaf, Chicken and Beef Satay. End on a sweet note at the live Teh Tarik station or spoil your tastebuds with a selection of Nonya Kuehs and local desserts such as Bubur Pulut Hitam or Cheng Teng.
“Oscar’s Local Delights with Peranakan Highlights” is available from July 11 to August 31, 2016 and priced at:
Lunch (Monday to Saturday):
S$59++ per adult
S$29.50++per child (6 to 12 years)
Dinner (Sunday to Thursday):
S$72++ per adult
S$36++ per child (6 to 12 years)
Dinner (Friday to Saturday):
S$83++ per adult
S$41.50++ per child (6 to 12 years)
Children aged 5 years and below dine for free (yay!)
Special Promotion:
Quote “Laksa” upon reservations and enjoy Lunch at S$45++ per adult (Monday to Saturday).
Quote “Achar” upon reservations and enjoy Dinner at S$55++ per adult (Monday to Thursday).
Prior reservations necessary. Not available on eve of and on Public Holidays. Subject to availability.
Ellenborough Market Café, Swissotel Merchant Court
The Grand Dame of Peranakan cuisine returns with bolder, and better. Much like a bibik who had gone on a well-deserved holiday and returned with an expanded appreciation, worldview, and new partner, Ellenborough Market Café buffet repertoire retains well-loved favourites and offers an even wider international spread with action stations.
Look forward to evergreen favourites such as the signature Ayam Buah Keluak, Babi Pongteh, Stir Fried Slipper Lobster in Black Bean Sauce and Durian Pengat but save space too for daily specials at the Carving Station including Roast Beef and Leg of Lamb, Braised Pork Belly La Mian hand-pulled by our La Mian Master, crisp and creamy Durian Fritters and Traditional Muah Chee made according to a family recipe and prepared à la minute.
Available: Lunch Buffet: Dinner Buffet:
High Tea Buffet:
$52 Monday to Sunday
$62 Monday to Thursday
$68 Friday to Sunday, and eve and day of Public Holiday $42 Saturday, Sunday and Public Holiday
For reservations and enquiries, please call 6239 1847/1848 or email
dining.merchantcourt@swissotel.com
The Peranakan Museum – Nyonya Needlework: Embroidery and Beadwork in the Peranakan World
The Peranakan Museum’s special exhibition – Nyonya Needlework: Embroidery and Beadwork in the Peranakan World – displays the traditional Peranakan art of embroidery and beadwork, with many seldom-seen objects from Singapore’s National Collection, attesting to 30 years of dedicated collecting by Singapore’s museums. Singapore now holds the largest collection of nyonya needlework in public hands. This bespoke showcase will also display some of the earliest dated embroidered and beaded objects in the world from the renowned Rijksmuseum and the National Museum of World Cultures in the Netherlands.
The show is divided into five sections that range from auspicious emblems and symbols, creative hands: makers and methods, and materials, to the diverse styles of Indonesia, Malacca, Singapore, and Penang.
Nyonya Needlework: Embroidery and Beadwork in the Peranakan World runs from 24 June 2016 to 26 March 2017 at the Peranakan Museum.
You can never go wrong with a Peranakan food. I miss it a lot!