Buzz
Travelers can visit Indocafe – the white house, Chilli Padi Nonya, or Candlenut to savor the delicious Peranakan cuisine, a unique community in the island nation of Singapore.
Explore Singapore: Visit the Top 3 Peranakan Restaurants
Despite Singapore emerging as a culinary destination, Peranakan specialties continue to allure tourists. Peranakan culture essentially originates from Malacca, Malaysia even before Singapore was established. According to Peter Wee, chairman of the Peranakan Association in Singapore, Chinese immigrants came to Malacca from the 15th to 16th centuries, gradually integrating with the local culture. Chinese men married Malaysian women, and their offspring were called Peranakan (“baba” for men, “nonyo” for women). They not only developed their own language but also created an entire distinct cultural heritage, from cuisine to ceramics, embroidery, footwear, and architecture.
Peranakan Cuisine
Although stemming from Chinese and Malaysian ethnicities, Peranakan people have also been influenced by British, Indian, and Thai cultures. Primarily built upon the foundation of Chinese culture, Peranakan cuisine is no exception.
Peranakan individuals often place dishes like chap chye (stewed vegetables) and baibi pongteh (pork stew with fermented soybeans) on their ancestral altars during ceremonial offerings, both of which have Chinese origins.
According to the book 'Changing Chinese Foodways in Asia' by David Wu and Chee Beng Tan, Peranakan cuisine is a blend of Chinese culture and local ingredients. Initially, Peranakan women in Singapore used common Malaysian ingredients such as turmeric, ginger, lime leaves, lemongrass, and tamarind. These ingredients formed a spice blend called rempah, which is prevalent in Peranakan cuisine.
Here are three longstanding and delicious Peranakan restaurants in Singapore that tourists can visit to enjoy authentic cuisine.
Indocafe – the white house
This renowned Peranakan restaurant is located in a beautifully designed colonial house at 35 Scotts Road. Upon entering, guests will notice the interior decor, including traditional Peranakan attire, tableware, and utensils.
In addition to laksa noodles, which reflect the flavors of Thailand and China, the restaurant also serves many uniquely crafted dishes such as kerabu bok nee (black fungus and minced chicken cooked with sambal sauce) and Penang otah (eggs cooked with coconut milk served with a piece of fish neatly tucked inside).
Other exquisite dishes from the restaurant include itek tim, babi pongteh, or variations of buah keluak fried rice.
Chilli Padi Nonya
Located at 11 Joo Chiat Pl, the restaurant serves visually appealing dishes with precise recipes and a very enthusiastic staff. This neighborhood can also transport tourists back to an ancient time in Singapore, with traditional eateries, street vendors, and even groups of people playing traditional games...
Affordable prices and flavorful dishes like stuffed cabbage rolls and fish head curry... are the reasons why Chilli Padi Nonya attracts not only locals but also tourists from all over. Many diners come here repeatedly to enjoy the spicy taste combined with harmonious culinary blends that they can't find elsewhere.
Candlenut
Candlenut is also an intriguing destination for tourists to indulge in and learn about Peranakan cuisine in Singapore. The owner and chef is young chef Malcolm Lee (32 years old). The place serves many Peranakan dishes but is not overly influenced by Chinese cuisine, instead adopting a more Western approach.
Signature dishes like beef ribs cooked with buah keluak soup, chap chye with shrimp sauce, or steamed banana cake with caramelized bananas and Melaka ice cream are highlights on the restaurant's menu. The restaurant is located at 331 New Bridge Road.
As reported by Vnexpress
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Reference: Travel guide from Mytour
MytourMay 13, 2016
