It’s been described as a “hidden gem” along Scotts Road. Well, if you are a Peranakan food fan, you’d know exactly what I’m talking about.
Located in a charming white colonial bungalow along Scotts Road, Indocafe Peranakan Dining is a Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurant that has been serving award-winning original Peranakan specialties for years. After closing for renovations in August, it has now reopened with a refreshed interior and revamped menu.
The restaurant, while not exactly a secret (you won’t miss it when travelling along Scotts Road), is tucked in a garden enclave away from the hustle and bustle of the city, and provides the ideal setting for age-old Peranakan flavours to come alive.
Step inside and diners are welcomed into a space celebrating the culture and tradition of the Peranakan community. Artworks of Peranakan influences like the kebaya, a series of blackwood furniture, and intricate Peranakan embroidery are proudly displayed on the walls.
The revamped menu features tried-and-tested classics and elevated dishes, all cooked according to tradition by Penang-born chef Heng Eng Ho and his team. Most are hits, although some could use further tweaks.
The Peranakan journey starts with familiar favourites like Signature Kueh Pie Tee ($19), Ngoh Hiang ($19) and the rich coconutty goodness of Nonya Otah Otah ($16).
A hearty soup starter is the Itek Tim ($14), a salted vegetable duck leg soup that’s Peranakan tradition personified. Cooked till fork-tender, the dish is given a touch of tartness with pickled mustard greens, lifted with the fragrance of nutmeg, and emboldened with a dash of brandy.
While traditional recipes like Ayam Buah Keluak ($29), Nonya Chap Chye ($19) and Sambal Petai Udang ($29) are mainstays in the menu, we suggest trying Babi Pongteh ($28) that uses Spanish Iberico pork belly which has been marinated with fermented soy bean paste, then cooked with potatoes, aromatic spices, onion and garlic for an incredibly flavourful boost.
Indocafe Wagyu Beef Rendang ($38) is elevated with premium wagyu beef cheek. Infused with spices, shrimp paste, chilli and coconut milk for over three hours, the beef is wonderfully tender and a delight in every bite.
Another notable dish is the Ikan Sambal Bunga Kantan ($39), an Indocafe signature where Patagonian toothfish is deep-fried, and doused in sambal along with a drizzle of Thai sweet and sour chilli sauce.
Perhaps the most memorable – and adventurous – is the Udang Tempoyak Durian ($36) where Argentinian red prawns are served with lashings of fermented durian tempoyak and punchy red chilli paste. Unfortunately it’s a tad too sweet, drowning out the flavours of the rempah and spices like turmeric, star anise and cinnamon.
For noodle lovers, there is Assam Laksa ($16) and Dry Laksa ($26). The latter is a soupless rendition that required the addition of a generous amount of sambal just to bring out the flavours.
End the meal on a sweet note with desserts like Sago Gula Melaka ($14) and Signature Kueh Salat ($15), and exotic coffee like the robust Gesha Passiflora ($19) from Colombia, and Kerinci ($11) from Indonesia, a punchy blend from beans grown on the ashy volcanic soil of Gunung Tujuh and Gunung Raya.
If you’re torn for choice, enjoy the best of Indocafe Peranakan Dining in a six-course Signature Tasting Menu ($98++ per person), comprising all the must-tries for a comprehensive journey through Peranakan flavours.
Indocafe Peranakan Dining is at 35 Scotts Road, Singapore 228227.
