O'nya Sayang @ Paya Lebar Square

If not for opening of the new Paya Lebar Square, I would not have known about O'nya Sayang, a peranakan restaurant that started its flagship store back in 2011 at Tampines Mall by founder and chef Zan Ho. Coming from a Peranakan family, the young entrepreneur traces its roots back to the 90s when Mdm Khoo Pong Tee started her first Peranakan specific restaurant Dulukala.

Ayam Keluak Fried Rice 3/5

One thing I noticed at the Paya Lebar Square outlet is the offering of set meal. I think it is a smart move considering the office crowd around the vicinity. Take for example the Ayam Keluak Fried Rice Set ($14.90) is quite a valuable for money set with keluak fried rice, a bowl of chicken keluak and achar. The chicken keluak was pretty good with the chicken infused with he acquire and nutty flavour of keluak. The achar was pretty good too. Unfortunately the fried rice was lacking the unique fragrant flavour of the keluak. I have had better one elsewhere.

Lor Bak Noodles 4/5

Another of the many sets available at O'nya Sayang is the Lor Bak Noodles Set ($12.90) that comes with a plate of noodle, achar, lor bak and otah. I find this extremely value for money. The lor bak was braised and cooked to a nice tender. It was a delight biting into the otah that comes with chunky fish meat.

Bakwan Kepeting 3/5

Next is the Bakwan Kepeting ($12.90) or Homemade Crab and Pork Meatball Soup. The meatball was really good, firm but yet moist. However I thought the soup was lacking the natural sweetness of the cabbage. I tasted a lot of seasoning instead.

Chap Chye 4.5/5

The highlight among the dishes I tried has to be the Chap Chye ($10.90). Cooked using fermented bean paste imported from Malacca, the vegetable has an acquire sweetness that I really enjoyed. The vegetables were also cooked to a delectable softness but yet still retained a crunch.

Babi Pongteh 4/5

Babi Pongteh ($13.90) is another dish that I will usually order whether I visit any peranakan restaurant. The lighter in colour appearance suggested that the version here is lighter in flavour compare to some I have tried. This brings me to wonder what is authentic? As it seems every household has their own version. Back to the food itself, putting aside the lighter taste, the pork belly literally melted in the mouth.

Beef Rendang Bread Bowl 3/5

I personally do not like the concept of the Beef Rendang Bread Bowl ($12.90). I find it too troublesome. The beef rendang is stuffed inside the bread bowl and baked. Hence the rendang has became dry inside the bread. That is probably why a bowl of gravy is served on the side. I rather keeping it simple with the rendang in a bowl as the bread as a side for those who wants to dunk it to soak up the delicious gravy.

Sambal Seafood 3.5/5

Moving on to something more spicy is the Sambal Seafood ($17.90). While it may look greasy, it did come with a nice spicy kick, bringing out the fragrance of the spices. However the seafood was not of the best quality but this is understandable to keep the pricing affordable and reasonable.

Assam Fish 3.5/5

The other spicy dish on the menu is the Assam Fish ($16.90). As I can take spicy, I did find the gravy too sweet. It was lacking that punch that will make one breaks into a sweat. Nevertheless, the fish was moist and goes well with the assam.

Chendol 3/5, Sago Gula Melaka Ice Cream 4.5/5, Chendol Ice Cream 4.5/5, Oneh Oneh 2/5

How can we not try the desserts before leaving the restaurant. We tried a couple of desserts on the menu such as the Oneh Oneh, Chendol ($4.90), Sago Gula Melaka Ice Cream ($5.90) and Chendol Ice Cream ($5.90). Most memorable for me is the Sago Gula Melaka Ice Cream and Chendol Ice Cream. Using premium coconut ice cream from Thailand,  these are the two desserts I would highly recommend.

I couldn't say O'nya Sayang serves the best authentic Peranakan food but it definitely serves some affordable and reasonable priced set meal. I think it is s a smart strategy by the restaurant. I would recommend having the lor bak noodles set, chap chye, babi pongteh, finishing the meal with the sago gula melaka ice cream and chendol ice cream.


O'nya Sayang
Paya Lebar Square
60 Paya Lebar Road
#B1-30/31
Singapore 409051
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/onyasayang
Website: http://www.onyasayang.com/
Nearest MRT: Paya Lebar (CC Line, EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 10am - 10pm

Direction: 
1) Alight at Paya Lebar MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk straight to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]

Montana Brew Bar Cafe @ POMO

Is the cafe bubble in Singapore bursting? It seems not with yet another new cafe opening at POMO, selegie road. Montana Brew Bar Cafe is the latest new kid in the cafe scene specializing in coffee and waffles.

Latte 4/5

I ordered my usual Latte ($4.50) to kick start the day. The latte has a good body while not too acidity.

Pourover 4.2/5

In recently months, I also noticed a shift in the coffee culture with cafe that is serious with their coffee offering Pourover. With the maturing of the coffee culture, coffee drinkers have started to appreciate a good brew from the Pourover ($5.20) allowing one to appreciate the flavour of the coffee beans even more.

Truffle Mac & Cheese 4.2/5

Being a cafe that specialized in waffles, we ordered some of their popular waffles on the menu to try. First was the Truffle Mac & Cheese ($9.50) which perfumed the air upon served. Initially I was wondering where is the mac & cheese until I cut into the waffle.  It was actually sandwiched in between the fluffy waffle that comes with nice crispy edges. The combination surprisingly works and it got the thumbs of approval around the table. I recently heard it has released its version 2.0 which is more cheesy now.

Southern Fried Chicken Waffle Sandwich 4/5

Another savoury waffle on the menu is the Southern Fried Chicken Waffle Sandwich ($9.50) with wasabi slaw. I realised the waffle is crisper for the southern fried chicken. It tells a lot that the kitchen has given some thoughts into their waffles. The chicken was also perfectly cooked to a nice crisp but yet retaining its juiciness. I was told that the best way to enjoy this is to eat it with the hands just like a sandwich.

Matcha Strawberry Field Waffles 3.5/5

Working on to the sweet waffle, we started with the Match Strawberry Field Waffles ($9.50) which comes with green tea waffle, strawberry, mango passionfruit spheres and vanilla ice cream. The waffle actually lack the green tea flavour. While the exterior is crisp, we prefer the interior to be more cakey. However the burst of the mango passionfruit spheres will delight one with its fruity zest that complemented the waffle.

Red Velvet Waffle Stack 3.5/5

Having a similar texture to the match waffle is the Red Velvet Waffle Stack ($10.50) with vanilla ice cream, red velvet crumble and white chocolate rose sauce. Do note that this is limited per day. I enjoyed every components on the plate except the waffle which is lacking the red velvet flavour. Worthy note is the red velvet crumble that gives it a nice textural bite.

While many cafe concentrated on their coffee and neglected on their food, Montana Brew Bar Cafe has ensured customers have a good a bite while sipping a cup of aromatic coffee. The pricing is also very affordable with waffle that is less than ten dollar. I personally prefer their savoury waffles over their sweet waffles.


Montana Brew Bar Cafe
POMO
1 Selegie Road
#01-04
Singapore 188308
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/montanasingapore
Nearest MRT: Bras Basah (CC Line), Dhoby Ghuat (CC Line, NE Line, NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 8am - 930pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Bras Basah MRT station. Take Exit D or E. Walk down Bras Basah Road to the junction of Bras Basah Road and Prinsep Street. Cross the road and turn right onto Prinsep Street. Walk down Prinsep Street and continue onto Selegie Road. Continue walking down Selegie Road until destination. Journey time about 12 mins. [Map]

2) Alight at Dhoby Ghuat MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk down Orchard Road to the junction of Orchard Road and Prinsep Street. Turn left onto Prinsep Street. Walk down Prinsep Street and continue onto Selegie Road. Continue walking down Selegie Road until destination. Journey time about 12 mins. [Map]