When I have visitors in Singapore who want to try something distinctively local, I try to bring them to a Peranakan restaurant. Peranakans are Straits-born Chinese, also known as Babas/Nyonyas, who are descended from Chinese immigrants to Malaya. Peranakan food and culture is quite unique to this part of the world (Meaning Singapore and some parts of Malaysia), and while the dishes have local Malay, Chinese and Indonesian flavours, the cuisine does have a unique taste and character.
The best Peranakan food is really only found in homes. Short of being Peranakan yourself, if you really want the exquisite best of Straits-Chinese cooking, you need to either marry one, or ingratiate yourself with Baba/Nyonya friends and be invited home for a meal.
The next best alternative would be to find restaurants in Singapore which serve good Nyonya cuisine. One of my favourites is True Blue at Armenian Street.
And now, we have Candlenut, located in the F&B hub at Dempsey, not far from Orchard Road. Not a traditional Peranakan restaurant per se, but one with very strong Asian and Peranakan influences in a very refined setting.
The best Peranakan food is really only found in homes. Short of being Peranakan yourself, if you really want the exquisite best of Straits-Chinese cooking, you need to either marry one, or ingratiate yourself with Baba/Nyonya friends and be invited home for a meal.
The next best alternative would be to find restaurants in Singapore which serve good Nyonya cuisine. One of my favourites is True Blue at Armenian Street.
And now, we have Candlenut, located in the F&B hub at Dempsey, not far from Orchard Road. Not a traditional Peranakan restaurant per se, but one with very strong Asian and Peranakan influences in a very refined setting.
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