14 Best Peranakan Food Spots in Singapore for Nyonya Delights

Best Nyonya Food in Singapore: Your Ultimate Guide

Looking for things to do in Singapore to soak in the history of the Little Red Dot? Consider visiting Katong and Joo Chiat's vibrant streets and beautiful shophouses that truly capture the essence of Peranakan culture.

Not to mention the delectable cuisine. But what exactly is Peranakan cuisine?

Let's delve into a bit of history: Peranakans, also known as the Straits Chinese, are the descendants of Chinese immigrants who married the Malays. This wonderful union created Peranakan or Nyonya cuisine - a delightful blend of Chinese, Indonesian, and Malay flavours, resulting in a mouthwatering explosion of spices and tastes.

With recipes cherished and perfected through the ages, this cuisine has become a national treasure. And fortunately, you'll find a wealth of incredible Nyonya restaurants in Singapore waiting to be explored.

If you're travelling to Singapore, you cannot miss out on the opportunity to savour Peranakan food in these must-visit food spots.

Best Peranakan Restaurants in Singapore

1. Candlenut

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As the world's first Michelin-starred Peranakan restaurant, Candlenut takes you to dazzling heights of Peranakan cuisine. Led by Chef Malcolm Lee, the 20-course tasting menu and the one-bite dishes showcase a harmonious fusion of traditional flavours and contemporary cooking techniques. From the buah keluak fried rice (S$42.6) to the blue swimmer crab curry (S$42.6), each dish at Candlenut is a masterpiece.

Opening hours: Open daily, 12pm to 3pm, 6pm to 10pm

Address: 17a Dempsey Rd, Singapore 249676 (map)

2. National Kitchen by Violet Oon

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National Kitchen by Violet Oon will serve you Peranakan cuisine in the historic and grand setting of the National Gallery Singapore. The menu showcases a curated selection of food connoisseur Violet Oon, including the beloved ayam buah keluak (S$30.6) and the signature beef rendang (S$30.6). Dining at National Kitchen is as visually stunning, with its elegant interiors and captivating views, as it is delicious.

Opening hours:Open daily: 12pm to 3pm, 6pm to 10pm

Address: 1 St Andrew's Rd, #02–01 National Gallery, Singapore 178957 (map)

3. Guan Hoe Soon Restaurant

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Guan Hoe Soon, a legendary Peranakan institution, will take you down a delicious memory lane with over six decades of rich culinary heritage. Dive into the tangy ayam buah keluak (S$20) or savour the comforting babi pongteh (S$15.7), and let the flavours transport you to a bygone era. You can also choose the quantity of their Nyonya dishes in three sizes, depending on your appetite, although greed always gets the better of us!

Opening hours: Mon to Fri: 11am to 3pm, 5.30pm to 9pm. Sat & Sun: 11am to 3pm, 5pm to 9pm

Address: 200 Joo Chiat Rd, #01-01, Singapore 427471 (map)

4. The Blue Ginger

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If you want to savour authentic Peranakan flavours in a cosy setting, look no further than The Blue Ginger, nestled in a charming family-run shophouse in Tanjong Pagar, and one of the OG Peranakan spots in Singapore, having been around since 1995 (there's another outlet at Great World City too). The restaurant transports diners to the heart of Peranakan culture with dishes like ikan masak assam gulai (S$31.9) and the signature ayam panggang (S$21.3).

Opening hours: Open daily, 12pm to 3pm, 6:30pm to 10:30pm

Address: 97 Tg Pagar Rd, Singapore 088518 (map)

5. Indocafé - The White House

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Don't be fooled by the name. Indocafé - The White House is a serious player in the local Peranakan food scene in Singapore. Nestled within a bungalow with an elegant colonial setting and warm woody ambience, Indocafé transports you to the rich culinary heritage of Peranakan culture. From the signature beef rendang (S$37.25) to kueh pie tee (S$23.9), this classy spot promises a symphony of flavours that will leave you craving more.

Opening hours: Tues to Sun: 12pm to 2.30pm, 6pm to 9.30pm. Closed on Mon

Address: 35 Scotts Rd, Singapore 228227 (map)

6. Baba Chews Bar and Eatery

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Sitting within the colonial charm of the former Joo Chiat Police Station, Baba Chews and Eatery fuses Peranakan and Western flavours to create unique dishes like beef short ribs rendang (S$33.26) and Iberico pork ribs pongteh (S$33.26). The white walls with contrasting black motif tiles are a throwback to the 20's colonial charm, and the furniture and fittings will leave you cosy in no time at all.

Opening hours: Open daily, 6:30am to 10:30pm

Address: 86 E Coast Rd, Katong Square, Singapore 428788 (map)

Affordable Peranakan Restaurants in Singapore

7. Kim Choo Kueh Chang

Kim Choo Kueh Chang is not exactly a restaurant per se. But it is a beloved Peranakan institution specialising in traditional snacks and kueh (bite-sized snacks) Here, you can try authentic snacks like bak chang (S$7.3) to satisfy your cravings without burning a hole in your wallet. If you're new to Nyonya cuisine, try different kueh in a sampling session. Or, if you want to get hands-on about learning Peranakan culture, you can even join a beading workshop to produce traditional handicrafts.

Opening hours: Open daily, 9am to 9pm

Address: 60 Joo Chiat Pl, Singapore 427784 (map)

8. Ivins Peranakan Restaurant

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Step into the laid-back atmosphere of Ivins and let the irresistible aroma of authentic Peranakan spices draw you in. Picture yourself digging into their delectable babi pongteh (S$9) and ayam buah keluak (S$10), savouring each tender bite of one of Singapore's most affordable and best Nyonya restaurants. The restaurant's decor has no wow factor, but who cares when this is fuss-free, unpretentious Peranakan cuisine at its best.

Opening hours: Varies according to outlet

Address: multiple locations, including Hougang and Upper Thompson

9. Godmama

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Get ready to embark on a flavour adventure at Godmama, where Peranakan cuisine gets a modern twist. Imagine the explosion of flavours as you savour their ayam buah keluak burger (S$29), a mouthwatering fusion of tradition and innovation. And though Godmama has a fancy location at Funan, make no mistake, it is a budget-friendly Peranakan spot that will leave you craving more.

Opening hours: Open daily, 11am to 10pm

Address: 107 North Bridge Rd, #04-07, Singapore 179105 (map)

10. Daisy's Dream Kitchen

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For some homemade goodness, make a beeline for Daisy's Dream Kitchen. This family-run restaurant specialises in dishes like assam chicken (S$17) and babi buah keluak (S$25), recipes passed down through generations. When it comes to hidden gems and affordable Peranakan delights, you can't go wrong with Daisy's Dream Kitchen, a solid choice as always.

Opening hours: Open daily, 11am to 9pm

Address: 131 #01-01, Rifle Range Rd, Temasek Club, Singapore 588396 (map)

11. Chilli Padi Nonya Restaurant

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Treat your taste buds to a burst of authentic Peranakan flavours at Chilli Padi Nonya Restaurant, a little gem in Joo Chiat Place that will satisfy your inner Nyonya food lover. Here, stuff yourself silly with iconic dishes like beef rendang (S$17) to mouthwatering Nyonya chap chye (S$10.4) and udang assam pedas (S$19.7).

Opening hours: Open daily: 11.30am to 2.30pm, 5.30pm to 9.30pm

Address: 11 Joo Chiat Pl, #01-03, Singapore 427744 (map)

12. TingKat PeraMakan

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If you're hungry for authentic Peranakan flavours without breaking the bank, TingKat PeraMakan is here to save the day with affordable dishes like ayam buah keluak (S$21.5) and babi pongteh (S$17.5). And the best part is you can walk into multiple outlets of PeraMakan across Singapore, so your fix of delicious Nyonya food will never be far away.

Opening hours: Varies according to outlet

Address: multiple locations, including Owen Road and Raffles Blvd

Halal-Certified Peranakan Restaurants in Singapore

13. StraitsKitchen

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Prepare yourself for a feast of epic proportions at StraitsKitchen of the Grand Hyatt, Singapore. With its upscale setting and a buffet spread, StraitsKitchen is a treasure trove for halal Peranakan food. From iconic ayam masak mereh to redang daging lembu, their set lunch menu (S$82.5) is always a fab choice for a solid meal.

Opening hours: Open daily, 7.30am to 10.30am, 12pm to 2pm, 3pm to 4.30pm 6.30pm to 9.30pm.

Address: 10 Scotts Rd, Grand Hyatt, Singapore 228211 (map)

14. Old Bibik's Peranakan Kitchen

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Old Bibik's Peranakan Kitchen is a halal-certified gem that transports you back in time with a vintage ambience and heritage recipes. Step into their welcoming space and let the aromas of authentic ayam buah keluak (S$22.6), beef rendang (S$24), sambal barramundi (S$52), and ikan assam pedas (S$40) take you to a Peranakan heaven.

Opening hours: Open daily, 11:30am to 9:30pm

Address: 328 Joo Chiat Rd, #01-02, Singapore 427585 (map)

Deep Dive into Peranakan Culture

Explore Peranakan History in Katong On a Vespa

Calling all Vespa enthusiasts. Hop on a Vespa sidecar for a thrilling ride through Joo Chiat and Katong! It's the best way to immerse yourself in rich Peranakan heritage as you cruise past colourful shophouses and iconic landmarks of these charming neighbourhoods.

Experience Peranakan Food in Katong and Joo Chiat on a Bike

Combine your love for food and cycling on this delicious bike tour! Pedal through the vibrant streets of Katong and Joo Chiat, stopping to savour mouthwatering local delights (including legit Peranakan treats). From spicy laksa to colourful shophouses, your senses are in for a good time.

Sample Nyonya Kueh at Kim Choo Kueh Chang

Dive into a Nyonya kueh sampling session at Kim Choo Kueh Chang to taste a variety of delectable bite-sized snacks, each bursting with unique flavours and colourful delights. It's a sweet journey that will leave you craving more, that's for sure.

Try Peranakan Private Dining in a Local Home

Prepare your taste buds for an unforgettable private dining experience at Aunty Pek's. Here, chow down on Peranakan fusion dishes that'll take you on a flavourful adventure like no other. Savour an eight-course menu, each dish showcasing the best of Peranakan cuisine, and best of all, you'll be eating like the locals do, with the meal held in a local's home.

Visit Katong Antique House to Understand Peranakan Culture

Travel back in time with a Peranakan culture tour at the 100-year-old Katong Antique House. Get up close and personal with vintage artefacts, beautiful ceramics, and traditional clothing. Learn about the customs and traditions that shaped Peranakan heritage - there's no better way to step back in the past than with a visit here.

Learn to Cook Peranakan Food with a Local

Have you always wanted to channel your inner Gordon Ramsay? Join a Peranakan food cooking workshop and learn to whip up two authentic dishes, ayam pongteh and asam fishhead, from scratch. From understanding local spices to mastering these curries, you'll become a Peranakan culinary expert in no time.

Step into The Intan Private Museum

Step into The Intan, a private Peranakan museum that offers a rare glimpse into this enchanting culture. Discover the stories behind Peranakan weddings and intricate beadwork and embroidery. And enjoy a selection of homemade refreshments and tea while you dive into the cultural treasure trove that is Singapore's first Peranakan home museum!

From Heritage to Plate: Farewell to Flavourful Feasts

Congratulations, culinary adventurer! You've explored the vibrant tapestry of Peranakan cuisine in Singapore, from the refined flavours of Michelin-starred gems to budget-friendly delights and halal-certified havens. Go forth and immerse yourself in the rich heritage and mouthwatering flavours of best Peranakan food in Singapore.

Commonly Asked Questions

What is Peranakan food in Singapore?

The famous Peranakan food of Singapore is a harmonious fusion of Chinese, Indonesian, and Malay flavours, as well as ingredients and cooking techniques.

What are some popular Peranakan dishes to try?

Some must-try Peranakan foods include ayam buah keluak, Nyonya laksa, and babi pongteh. Don't miss out on kueh pie tee and Nyonya kuehs for dessert.

Are Peranakan dishes spicy?

Yes, Peranakan dishes are known for their bold and spicy flavours. But you can always request milder versions if you're not a fan of intense heat.

Can I find Peranakan food outside of Singapore?

Singapore is a hub for Peranakan cuisine. But you can find authentic variations in neighbouring countries like Malaysia and Indonesia.

Is Peranakan food vegetarian-friendly?

Peranakan cuisine heavily features meat and seafood, but the best Peranakan restaurants in Singapore are open to accommodate dietary preferences.