Showing posts with label Peranakan Food. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Peranakan Food. Show all posts

Wednesday, December 27, 2023

INDOCAFÉ Peranakan Dining @ Scotts Road - Reopens with New Peranakan Dishes

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Nestled within "The White House" along Scotts Road, the reopening of INDOCAFÉ Peranakan Dining unveils the iconic colonial-style bungalow that has been transformed into an enclave that embraces both modernity and the vibrant heritage of Peranakan culture. Its interiors blend Peranakan influences with a touch of modern sophistication, creating a cosy and inviting ambience. The new menu, curated by Penang-born Chef Heng Eng Ho, features old favourites alongside new dishes showcasing his understanding of Peranakan flavours developed over more than 20 years of culinary experience.

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Belinjo Crackers

We were delighted with a mouthwatering complimentary welcome snack - crunchy Belinjo Crackers with Sambal Belacan, Gula Melaka & Acar. The sambal belacan whetted my appetite, with its piquancy laced with a hint of hit, making it the perfect dip throughout the meal. I love the crunch from the acar as well.

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We started with the Trio Platter from its Signature Tasting Menu - Kueh Pie Tee, Ngoh Hiang, Otah Otah. Individual items are available in the ala carte menu. Within the Kueh Pie Tee ($19) is braised shredded turnip, topped with dried prawns and crabmeat. The shredded turnip retained a good crunch and aptly seasoned, and a touch of the vibrant chilli sauce lifted its flavours. Both the and were equally delightful. The Ngoh Hiang ($19) showcased an excellent proportion of pork and chopped water chestnuts, resulting in a testy, juicy meat roll. Nonya Otah Otah ($16) was tasty with chunky mackerel fish, and Nyonya herbs and spices were also quite balanced.

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Itek Tim (tasting portion) 4/5

We also had a soup starter - Itek Tim ($14), a salted vegetable duck leg soup. It boasted a profound tartness from pickled mustard greens, balanced with fruity sweetness imparted by tomatoes. The duck meat was cooked to tender. The soup was also elevated with shaved nutmeg for a subtle lift and a dash of brandy for a depth of flavour.

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INDOCAFÉ Wagyu Beef Rendang (tasting portion) 4.5/5

Moving on to the Mains. We savoured the INDOCAFÉ Wagyu Beef Rendang ($38), elevated with premium Wagyu beef cheek. The beef cheek is cooked with spices, shrimp paste, chilli and coconut milk for over three hours, followed by additions of Nyonya rempah and a medley of fresh aromatics. The beef was tender and moist, and the flavours were well-rounded without overly intense.

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Babi Pongteh (tasting portion) 4.5/5

INDOCAFÉ also amped its Babi Pongteh ($28) with Spanish Iberico pork. The pork is marinated to the bone with fermented soybean paste and then cooked with potatoes, aromatic spices, onion and garlic. Having Spanish Iberico pork prepared in this manner for the first time, I was pleasantly surprised by how well it was being executed. Despite the absence of the usual chunky layers of fats and skin found in a regular pork belly, the flavours and texture were not compromised.

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Ikan Sambal Bunga Kantan (tasting portion) 3.8/5

We also had a seafood fish - Ikan Sambal Bunga Kantan ($39). The Patagonian toothfish is deep-fried and dressed with ginger flower and Thai sweet and sour chilli sauce. It was tasty with a firm and succulent texture, although a thinner crust would have been preferable.

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Dry Laksa 3/5

We tried its Dry Laksa ($26) with Argentina Red Prawns. The laksa lacked the robustness and punch we expected, and the prawns were a bit mushy in texture.

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Sago Gula Melaka 4.5/5

Ending things on a sweet note - Sago Gula Melaka ($14) was indulgent with prime D24 durian pengat. The sticky sago pudding was lightly sweetened with gula melaka and doused with warm coconut milk, bringing the elements together into a harmonious delight.

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Kueh Salat 4/5

The Signature Kueh Salat ($15) was aesthetically presented, featuring a scoop of coconut ice cream adorned with desiccated coconut and crushed peanuts. While the pandan coconut custard was deliciously creamy, the glutinous rice layer could be softer to combine better with the custard. The overall sweetness was on the higher side.

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Kerinci

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To complete the dining experience, INDOCAFÉ Peranakan Dining has also incorporated artisanal coffee offerings and exclusive beverages. During our meal, we had a refreshing mimosa to complement the richness of the food. When it came to desserts, between Gesha Passiflora ($19) from Colombia and Kerinci ($11) from Indonesia, I opted for the latter, which offers tasting notes of tropical fruits, dried fruits, berries, stone fruits with a wine-like sweet finish.

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Photos and words by Si An. A girl who is allured by travelling, loves the feel of freedom, smell of the rain and the aroma of fine coffee and food. Note: This is an invited tasting.


INDOCAFÉ Peranakan Dining
35 Scotts Road
Singapore 228227
Tel: +65 9430 7307
Facebook
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Nearest MRT: Newton (DT, NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Tue-Sun: 12pm - 3pm, 6pm -1030pm
(Closed on Mon)

Direction:
1) Alight at Newton MRT station. Take Exit A. On Scotts Road, turn right and walk down Scotts Road towards Orchard Road direction. Journey time about 6 minutes. [Map]

Monday, August 28, 2023

Town Restaurant @ The Fullerton Hotel Singapore - Straits from the Heart: An Ode to Peranakan Cuisine

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In collaboration with Chef Philip Chia, a local culinary master and best-selling cookbook author known for his Peranakan cuisine, The Fullerton Hotel Singapore presents "Straits from the Heart: An Ode to Peranakan Cuisine" at Town Restaurant alongside their signature spread of local and international fare. From 14 August to 14 September 2023, you can taste Chef Philip's prowess as a purveyor of Peranakan cuisine in the dishes created in the lunch and dinner buffet menus from Monday to Saturday.

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Egg Prawn Salad with Khong Th’ng

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Cucumber Pineapple Prawn Salad

We started with some cold salads that whetted our appetites with zesty and piquant dressings - the Egg Prawn Salad with Khong Th'ng (Peanut Candy) Dressing and the Cucumber Pineapple Prawn Salad. Both salads were ultra-refreshing, featuring crunchy cucumbers, juicy pineapples, and prawns and eggs that added delightful textures. I found them rather addictive - the fiery dressings had a good amount of heat and acidity yet were well balanced by the sweetness of the tomatoes and pineapples.

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Otah Otah

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Ngoh Hiang

Familiar and well-loved appetisers Ngoh Hiang and Otah Otah are also available.

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Kueh Pie Tee

One of the highlights is the DIY Kueh Pie Tee station, complete with crispy, thin tart shells and well-stewed turnips.

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Babi Pontay

The Mains were superb. The Babi Pontay (braised pork belly in fermented soybean sauce) was truly memorable, featuring fork-tender and unctuous thick-cut pork belly, along with generous chunks of mushrooms and bamboo shoots that had absorbed the flavoursome sauce, softening and enhancing their taste.

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Ayam Buah Keluak

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Beef Rendang

Other meat dishes featured include tantalising Ayam Buah Keluak (chicken and black nuts in tamarind gravy) and Beef Rendang (slow-cooked beef curry). Both delivered flavoursome and tender meats, and it was even more satisfying when I had them together with the warm and fragrant Jasmine rice served alongside.

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Assam Pedas

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Udang Goreng Assam

Seafood dishes provided a delightful addition to the line-up. The Assam Pedas was a highlight for me; the sour and spicy gravy was irresistible, accentuated by substantial chunks of pineapple that had been simmered to release bursts of sweet and tangy juice with every bite. The fish was cooked to perfection, boasting a tender and flaky texture. The Udang Goreng Assam (fried prawns with tamarind) were finger-licking good.

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Nyonya Chap Chye

And my favourite, Nyonya Chap Chye, didn't disappoint either! The vegetables had been braised until tender, absorbing the delectable umami broth.

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The dessert counter showcases a live station serving Chendol, along with an array of bite-sized kueh such as Kueh Salat, Bengka Ubi, Kueh Kosui, and more. My personal favorite is the Rainbow Lapis, which in my opinion was the best Rainbow Lapis I have had to date. They were so good that you had to be quick, as they were snapped up shortly after being replenished.

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Straits from the Heart: An Ode to Peranakan Flavours
- Executive Lunch Buffet Monday to Friday S$48* per adult, S$24* per child
- Seafood Symphony Dinner Buffet Wednesday and Thursday S$128* per adult, S$64* per child
- Dinner Buffet with Barbecued Selection Friday and Saturday S$118* per adult, S$59* per child
- International Lunch Buffet Saturday S$68* per adult, S$34* per child

Photos and words by Si An. A girl who is allured by travelling, loves the feel of freedom, smell of the rain and the aroma of fine coffee and food. Note: This is an invited tasting.


Town Restaurant
The Fullerton Hotel Singapore
1 Fullerton Square
Singapore 049178
Tel: +65 68778188
Facebook
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Website
Nearest MRT: Raffles Place (EW Line, NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 630pm - 1030pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Raffles Place MRT Station. Take Exit H. Turn right and walk towards the river. At the river, turn right again and walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

Friday, July 22, 2022

Verandah Rael's @ TripleOne Somerset - New Peranakan and Indonesian Cuisine Restaurant With Storybook-inspired Interior

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New at TripleOne Somerset is Verandah @ Rael's, offering Peranakan and Indonesian cuisine in a colonial style, storybook-inspired interior. The restaurant strives to bring the warmth of togetherness and the taste of home in their food.

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Chicken Satay 4/5

We started our dinner at Verandah with the Chicken Satay ($9.80) grilled to a nice tender, paired with traditional peanut sauce.

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Pong Tauhu Soup 4/5

Next is a bowl of hearty and comforting Pong Tauhu Soup ($6.90). I could taste the depth of flavours in the broth, which probably came from the long hours of boiling, drawing from the pork and prawn's essence. Rounding up the delicious soup are juicy meatballs and crunchy bamboo shoots.

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Chicken Buah Keluak 4.2/5

A staple Peranakan dish is the Chicken Buah Keluak ($19.90), whereby the chicken is braised in a tangy tamarind gravy. Minced meat is mixed with spices and stuffed into the nut.

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Nonya Chap Chye 4.2/5

Stewed to a delightfully soft texture is the Nonya Chap Chye ($12.90), which comprises a medley of vegetables such as cabbage, shiitake mushrooms, beancurd strips and tang hoon.

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Babi Pongteh 4.2/5

A favourite Peranakan dish of mine is the Babi Pongteh ($18.90). Verandah does a delicious rendition in which the sweet and savoury stewed pork belly and turnips are slow-cooked in a thick fermented soybean sauce with a peppery hint.

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Signature Indo Chilli Beef 3.5/5

Besides the Peranakan dishes, we also tried a couple of their Indonesian dishes. While I enjoyed the aroma from the spices for the Signature Indo Chilli Beef ($19.90), the texture was a little tough for my liking.

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Honey Pork 3.5/5

Similar to the Signature Indo Chilli Beef, I find the Honey Pork ($16.90) a bit tough in texture too. However, the honey black sauce drizzled over the crispy stir-fried pork is deliciously appetising.

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Grilled Sotong with Kicap Manis 3.8/5

The Grilled Sotong with Kicap Manis ($18.90) was fresh and huge with a delightful bouncy bite. I only hope there was more of the sweet and piquant soy sauce, mixed with spices marinade.

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Panna Cotta with Pulut Hitam 3/5

Wrapping up the dinner is the Panna Cotta with Pulut Hitam ($8.90). The panna cotta is served in a tall glass topped with black glutinous rice and rich coconut milk. I am slightly disappointed that the panna cotta is not creamy enough. If I had a choice, I would still prefer the classic rendition of the traditional pulut hitam dessert.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Verandah @ Rael's
TripleOne Somerset
111 Somerset Road
#01-07
Singapore 238164
Tel: +65 89319826
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Somerset (NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 11am - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Somerset MRT station. Take Exit A. Turn right and walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]

Saturday, March 13, 2021

Bonding Kitchen @ Orchard Gateway - Private Home Private Dining Chef Establishes Modern Peranakan Restaurant In Orchard

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Bonding Kitchen is the new kid on the block in Orchard, located on level two in Orchard Gateway. Chef-owner Danny Chew helms the new Peranakan restaurant. Having plied his trade in the private dining scene in Johor Bahru, he ventures into opening his restaurant.

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Kueh Pie Tie 4/5

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We started with the Kueh Pie Tie ($12 for 4pc). Diners can have some fun piecing the kueh pie tee together. Chef Danny handmakes each crispy shell to how the braised turnips, prawns, quail eggs and crispy lard bits, topped with Chef's speciality chilli cuka sauce.

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Pong Tauhu 4.2/5

A heart-warming soup on the menu is the Pong Tauhu ($10 per pax). The thick and rich broth is a concoction of superior stock and prawn stock. The addition of fermented soybean and rempah brightens the stock, giving it a rich umami. The highlight is the handcrafted meatball made from chopped pork collar, pork belly, pork fat, shrimps and soft tofu.

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Nasi Goreng Buah Keluak 4/5

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For the carbo intake, I would recommend the Nasi Goreng Buah Keluak ($15). The fluffy rice stir-fried in buah keluak paste gives it an aromatic, earthy notes complemented by the fragrant eggs and fried shallots. You can go for the Blue Butterfly Pea Rice for those that don't like the acquire flavour of the buah keluak.

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Chap Chye 4.5/5

I love my Chap Chye, and this is one of the best I have tried. My criteria of a good chap chye, the vegetables still need to have a crunch, and I need to taste the fermented bean paste.

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Hokkien Lor Ark 4/5

The Hokkien Lor Ark ($22) is not a dish I have seen at Peranakan restaurant. Chef Danny has adapted the recipe from his wife's mother. Simmered in a blend of spices and soya sauce, the braised duck is cooked to a fork tender texture and has an intense flavour.

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Wagyu Beef Rendang 4.5/5

A crowd favourite is the Wagyu Beef Rendang ($32). The version here the dry style using a traditional cooking method without the addition of water. Using Australian wagyu beef ribs, it simmered over 5 hours, allowing the rempah flavours to be absorbed. It is then topped with fried crunchy coconut shavings for an explosion of flavours.

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Udang Sambal Petai 4.2/5

Another beautiful dish on the menu is the Udang Sambal Petai ($22). It is a two in one dish where diners can enjoy the huge and crunchy prawn, as well as the acquire petai tossed in fragrant sambal.

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Sotong Masak Hitam 4.2/5

One of my all-time favourite Peranakan dishes is Sotong Masak Hitam ($20). It has the characteristic flavours I love, but it has an elevated tanginess, almost as if lime juice was added.

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Barramundi Fish Assam Pedas 4.5/5

The other dish I enjoyed a lot is the Barramundi Fish Assam Pedas ($26). The fish fillet is cooked in a spicy and tangy  gravy infused with lemongrass, ginger flower, and laksa leaf. You can also find brinjal, pineapple, cherry tomatoes and ladies' finger in the sea of red.

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Chendol 4/5

For dessert, I have the Chendol ($7). A sweet and icy treat doused in fragrant gula melaka with handmade green pandan jelly, red beans and kidney beans.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Bonding Kitchen
Orchard Gateway
277 Orchard Road
#02-18
Singapore 238858
Tel: +65 88609087
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Somerset (NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Tue-Sun: 1130am - 3pm, 530pm - 1030pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Somerset MRT station. Take Exit C. Walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]