Dulu Kala

Dulu Kala, The Peranakan House is located at the 4th Level of Beauty World Centre is a family business that aims to serve authentic and home made Peranakan fare at an affordable price. Located humbly at a corner of the old school shopping building, it is rather surprisingly to see how "hot" they are over the weekends dinner crowd.

Storefront of Dulu Kala, The Peranakan House

 Interior designed was simple and atomosphere was filled with Pernakan culture with the Batik table cloth and the restaurant was adorn with Peranakan bowls and plates on its wall shelves, also carved wooden ornaments were hung up at the walls.

Interior

A table size glass was placed on top of the Batik table cloth on every table, leaving 4 sharp edges at the sides of the table. However, Dulu Kala was thoughtful enough to install rubbers on the edges to prevent diners from knocking into it.

Protect the sharp Edges

I must admit that it took almost an hour before the first dish came onto my table. I wasn't patient initially but I told myself, good things come to those who wait.

Nonya Chap Chye was really a welcoming dish of the entire meal.  It was a normal plate of braised chap chye added with a twist - the nonya style.Those cabbages were braised and soften added with black fungus and mushroom, lending a special taste in the palette.

Nonya Chap Chye - $8.90

 Ayam Buah Keluak was good, especially its gravy which make the fragrant white rice turns interesting. Meat was cooked to softness and flavourful in the tamarind sauce. For those who enjoy Buah Keluak (an indonesian nut), remember to dig your spoons into the nutty shell.

Ayam Buah Keluak - $11

 Babi Pongteh (Pork in Bean paste sauce) is another dish in the cuisine that we have to order. Meat was not too hard with potatoes added in the sweet spicy sauce.

Babi Pongteh - $9.90

The Assam Fish Head was not too bad, it was slightly towards the sweet side than soury. Nevertheless, the fish was fresh and tender added with brinja, tomatoes and lady fingers. The assam gravy gave another good reason to order another bowl of white rice to pair.

Assam Fish Head (Large) - $25.90

Giving off a sweet finish before we called it a day, we had ordered Bobo Chacha and its Chendol. Bobo chacha dessert was chilled with not too much of coconut milk. Instead it gave off a light fragrance of the coconut with the interesting colorful cubes of tapioca combinations as well as yam and sweet potatoes.

Bobo Chacha - $3.50

Another Chilling dessert to end with was Chendol. Gula Melaka was thick but not too cloying. It was real addictive and a happy ending to the satisfying meal.

Chendol - $3.50 (Left) & Bobo Chacha (Right)

Altogether with 4 bowls of steamed rice and with Service Charge, the total bill sums up to be $81.10 for 4 pax. Bearing in mind that preparations were tedious with long hours needed, Peranakan Cuisine generally costs dearer than others and over here in Dulu Kala, I find that pricing was reasonable. The overall dining experience will definitely be better if the long waiting time were shortened.

Rating: 3.5 / 5


Dulu Kala
Location: Beauty World Centre, 144 Upper Bukit Timah Road #04-04 Singapore 588177