Old Bibik's Peranakan Kitchen

With the recent buzz surrounding The Little Nyonya and its Emerald Hill Show, there’s been a noticeable resurgence of interest in all things Peranakan from traditional costumes to their rich, flavorful cuisine. Riding this cultural wave, we found ourselves craving a taste of heritage and headed to Joo Chiat, a neighborhood well-known for its Peranakan roots and vibrant food scene. While our first choice of restaurant was packed, we eventually settled on Old Bibik’s a humble spot that turned out to be a worthy alternative.

Old Bibik's Peranakan Kitchen

The interior was simple and unpretentious. It featured traditional round tables paired with classic wooden stools that echoed the charm of old-school Peranakan dining.

Interior and Dining Area

I started with the homemade honey butterfly pea tea,  a vibrant, refreshing drink with a subtle floral note and just the right touch of sweetness. It was a delightful way to ease into the meal.

Homemade Honey Butterfly Pea Tea - $6

While waiting for our dishes to arrive, we nibbled on crackers dipped in belachan chilli, a satisfyingly crunchy snack with a bold, umami kick. It was a great way to whet our appetites.

Keropok

The Crispy Chinchalok Omelette arrived generously sized and perfectly golden, with a side of chinchalok for dipping, adding a punchy, fermented tang that made each bite even more satisfying.

Crispy Chinchalok Omelette (Deep Fried) - $18

Their Ayam Buah Keluak was served without the signature nut, but the rich, earthy dark sauce still delivered on depth and flavor, perfect for spooning over a warm plate of rice. The dish’s naturally dark brown appearance was brightened up with a generous topping of fresh Chinese parsley, adding a touch of color and freshness to the presentation.

Ayam Buah Keluak - $17 

We also had a comforting bowl of Nyonya Chap Chye, a classic mixed vegetable stew that's a staple in many Peranakan households. This version came brimming with cabbage, black fungus, carrots, and beancurd skin, all gently braised in a light, savoury broth. What stood out was the generous topping of crispy beancurd sheets that added a delightful crunch to each mouthful. Garnished with a sprig of Chinese parsley, the dish was both hearty and well-balanced, offering a nice contrast of textures and a subtle sweetness from the stewed vegetables.

Nyonya Chap Chye - $13 

To round off the meal, we shared a warm and hearty bowl of Itek Tim, a traditional Peranakan salted vegetable duck soup. The broth was tangy and appetising, thanks to the combination of salted mustard greens, tomatoes, and sour plums, all slow-simmered with tender duck pieces. Each spoonful was comforting, with just the right balance of sourness and depth from the duck, making it the perfect counterpoint to the richer dishes we had earlier. A classic, no-frills comfort soup that brought everything together beautifully.

Itek Tim Soup - $18 

Please note that the pricing of the dishes mentioned above is based on portions suitable for 1-2 pax. We were truly satisfied with our meal here at Old Bibik’s Peranakan Kitchen. The flavours were authentic, the dishes generous, and the overall dining experience warm and inviting. Every bite reflected the rich heritage and care put into Peranakan cuisine, making it a memorable meal well worth the price. If you are looking to enjoy traditional Peranakan food in a cosy setting, Old Bibik’s is definitely a place to consider.

Rating: 3.5 / 5

Old Bibik's Peranakan Kitchen
Location: 328 Joo Chiat Rd, #01-02, Singapore 427585

Joo Chiat Ah Huat Wanton Noodle

We arrived at Duman Food Centre for our 2nd round of breakfast as we were not very satisfied with the first round. With this Food Centre popular for its Wanton Noodle, we decided to take a leap and queue up for it. The stall is big and managed by a pair, with the guy preparing the noodles and the aunty taking the order.

Joo Chiat Ah Huat Wanton Noodle

The noodles had a very strong alkaline taste and did not suit our liking. We are not a fan of it. The type of Char Siew was lean without sights of fatty meat. What could have make the plate of Char Siew so popular? Perhaps the use of scallion oil gives a better fragrance to the noodle other than that, in terms of the ingredients items like Char Siew and Vegetables, its pretty ordinary to me.

Wanton Mee - $4

The Wantons, on the other hand, did carry the strong alkaline taste too and had nothing much to shout about.

Wanton

Rating: 3 / 5

Joo Chiat Ah Huat Wanton Noodle
Location: Dunman Food Centre, 271 Onan Rd, #01-04, Singapore 424768

328 Katong Laksa

While we were thinking of a few options for our guests to try out Singapore's popular food as they landed in Singapore for a duration of only a few hours, we decided to bring them to our popular Laksa Place. We ended up in this nearby 328 Katong Laksa when our ideal Laksa place was so sold for the day.

As touristy as the place 328 Katong Laksa is, the entire place was filled with foreigners and I felt as though I was overseas. Nonetheless, we queued up and quickly grab the bigger bowl of Laksa for our guests.

Laksa was fragrant with ingredients such as prawns, blood cockles and fish cakes. The gravy was milky orange in colour and fragrant with hints of Laksa Leaves. 

No doubt that the Bee Hoon was cut into shorter strands for us to consume easily, my guests and I found that our bowls of Laksa were a tad on the spicier side. Nonethess, what matter most was that they enjoyed our local food and got to taste it finally.

Laksa - $9 (Medium)

328 Katong Laksa
Location: 51 East Coast Road, Singapore 428770
Website

Sheng Xiang Kitchen 生祥小厨

One of us needs a steamed fish fix from Dunman Food Center and despite of returning to Ok Zhen Hao Wei, it was suggested that we should give their competitor stall a try instead. Stall of Sheng Xiang Kitchen was located nearer to the flight of hawker stairs and price of the dishes were competitively cheaper.

Sheng Xiang Kitchen

The style of stir frying potato leaves with minced garlic brings out the fragrance and nature of the greens. The simple and basic plate of vegetables is indeed comforting to soul.

Potato Leaves with Garlic - $7

The starring dish for the night will be none other than their homemade sauce over the steamed fish head. The Price was reasonable and fish head was fresh, not to mention that they are indeed delicious too.

Steamed Fish Head with Homemade Sauce 自制酱蒸鱼头 - $18

The dried green beans were satisfying. The greens were stirred fried with a handful amount of marinated minced pork and chilli. Taste was great and not spicy to me.  

Dry Fried Green Beans 干煸四季豆 - $8

Steamed minced pork meat patties is one of our staple orders while visiting Dunman Food Center. The minced patties was well marinated and put into the steamer with salted fish, spring onions and cut chilli as toppings. 

Salted Fish Steamed Patties 咸鱼肉饼 - $10

Our last dish was none other than our "snacks", the prawn paste chicken. The chicken was well marinated and fried to golden crispy perfection. Love its tastiness and perfect to snack on alone even without pairing with noodles or rice.

Prawn Paste Chicken 虾酱鸡 - $10

Every dishes from the kitchen was hearty and stomach comforting. We do not mind making a return trip for such yummy local dishes.

Rating: 3.5 / 5

Sheng Xiang Kitchen 生祥小厨
Location: Dunman Food Centre, 271 Onan Rd, #02-16, Singapore 424768

Lau Hong Ser Rojak 老鸿生囉喏

Rojak lovers or anyone who has been to Dunman Food Center will find Lau Hong Ser Rojak no stranger to them. In fact, this decade old Rojak stall is popular and serves Charcoal-grilled You Tiao.  The impeccable customer service and the ingredients were great. This stall is definitely one of the popular Rojak Stalls in Singpore and not overrated. 

Stall of Lau Hong Ser Rojak

Its good that Lau Hong Ser Rojak offers set menu to diners. We ordered Set B which comprised of You Tiao, Cuttlefish, Century Egg and Taupok with prawn paste sauces served separately. If you like to go for their classic rojak combination, feel free to order Set A at $3/4/5/6). The classic Rojak ingredients were no stranger to any Rojak Lovers, it includes Youtiao, Taupok, cucumber, Turnip, pineapple, beansprouts and prawn paste. On top of everything, if you want additional top ups, the individual ingredients prices is all stated up on their menu.

Set B - $5.60

The items were tossed over charcoal and the pieces of cuttlefish had add another flavour to the plate. Their plate of rojak was well executed and we simply love their old school taste.

Rating: 3.5 / 5

Lau Hong Ser Rojak 老鸿生囉喏
Location: Dunman Food Centre, 271 Onan Rd, #02-14, Singapore 424768

Joo Chiat Caphe

Have been passing up this Banh Mi place in Joo Chiat for quite some time and finally get to taste their Banh Mi. They offer a suite of fusion Banh Mi with freshly made ingredients. Joo Chiat Caphe is a Muslim-friendly eatery whereby no pork or lard is used in cooking and all food ingredients are sourced from halal-certified suppliers.

Joo Chiat Caphe

There are 6 different kinds of Banh Mi to choose from and it took us awhile before picking our sandwiches. Besides serving Banh Mi, be surprised that they are actually offering Otah too. 

Banh Mi Menu

Unlike the conventional Vietnamese place, this place serves Nasi Lemak, Half Boiled Egg as well as Otah. The Mackeral Otah was not too bad and was not too spicy.

Mackeral Otah - $1.50

Stuffing the chunks of Honey-Glazed Grilled Chicken Thigh into the freshly baked Vietnamese Baguette with cucumber, lettuce, coriander, Vietnamese Mayonnaise and their homemade chicken Pate. The Baguette was crusty and served warm.

Honey-Glazed Grilled Chicken Thigh with Homemade Chicken Pate - $7.50

Grilled Lemongrass Beef Patty with Hoisin Sauce stuffed together with Cucumber, lettuce, coriander, chilli, Vietnamese mayonnaise and homemade chicken pate in the freshly baked Vietnamese Baguette.

The overall taste was ok but not too savoury.

Grilled Lemongrass Beef Patty with Hoisin Sauce - $7

After tasting quite a number of Banh Mi in Singapore, Joo Chiat Caphe's spread is quite decent. I'm still in search for better ones, any recommendations?

Rating: 3 / 5

Joo Chiat Caphe
Location: 263 Joo Chiat Rd, Singapore 427517
Website

Wen Kang Ji Wanton Noodle 文康記

The popular Wanton Noodle, Wen Kang Ji is located at the same coffee shop as the crowd's favourite prawn noodle, Da Dong Prawn Noodles 大東蝦麵, adding new excitement to the list of eateries in Joo Chiat.

Fans of their first outlet in Golden Mile Food Centre will be glad that they have opened the 2nd joint here.

Stall of Wen Kang Ji

Wen Kang Ji Wanton Noodle is best known for its glistering Char Siew that is roasted in-house.

They have the jumbo size as well as the regular size for Wanton Noodle. If you are prepared for a full experience of their Wanton Noodle, order their Jumbo size in which you will get generous pieces of Char Siew, 3 wantons and a dumpling in the huge bowl. 

Wanton Noodle - $8 (Jumbo)

The noodles are thick and have a springy texture. 

Wanton Noodle - $6 (Regular)

While the star of the noodles is focusing on their Char Siew pieces, let us zoom into these yummy in-house roasted pieces of pork.

Char Siew Pieces

It has a perfect fat-to-lean meat ratio. Apart from that, it was plump and succulent, not greasy.

Take a closer look at their Char Siew

We ordered the dumpling soup and it comes in a bowl of 4 with vegetables and pork lard. The soup was pretty tasty too.

Dumpling Soup - $5 

Though the size of the dumpling was not very big, it is still acceptable. The ingredients consist of black fungus, minced meat and prawn. The taste overall was not too bad.

Ingredient of Dumpling

Overall, there are many styles and types of Wanton Noodles around. If you prefer to focus more on Char Siew Meat than the Wantons, this style may suit you and you may want to try them out.

Rating: 3.25 / 5 

Wen Kang Ji Wanton Noodle 文康記
Location:   354 Joo Chiat Road  Singapore 427600

Guan Hoe Soon

Joo Chiat is one of Singapore's first heritage towns known for having some best Peranakan food and this is one of the reasons that we were here. With the iconic and historical shophouses that are preserved under Singapore's conservation rule, you can grab some Instagram-worthy shots there.

Restaurant Guan Hoe Soon Since 1953

Guan Hoe Soon has a long history and is considered Singapore's oldest Peranakan Restaurant since 1953. For people who are looking for Peranakan cuisine, especially in Joo Chiat can never miss out on this. Just recently, they have relocated to another location in Joo Chiat.

Menu of Guan Hoe Soon

The place was spacious and newly renovated. With traditional Peranakan tiles and some rustic Chinese furnishings, it did give patrons a modernized traditional feel of the environment. 

As the place was relatively new, the aircon was quite strong and the attentive staff saw us shivering in cold and offered to have one of the Aircon cassette units turned off. We thought it was a very thoughtful gesture.

Traditionally Chinese & Peranakan Furnishing

The appetiser gave us a great start and as it was quite special. Initially, we thought it was achar. Nonetheless, the taste was quite close. It comprised of chicken gizzard, cucumber, and pineapple topped with shaved cuttlefish. 

Appetiser aka Pickle - $4

We had their cold homemade barley and while waiting for the food to be served. We had already finished them up. The drink was quite thick and chalky in taste but it all tasted well with the ice had diluting it.

Homemade Barley - $2.80 Each

Guan Hoe Soon serves free-flow blue pea rice to pair with our Peranakan dishes ordered. 

Blue Pea Rice - $1.50 (Per Pax)

The texture of Beef Rendang was tender and very well coated in the Rendang sauce. The sauce was tasty and was not too salty.

Beef Rendang - $16.80

The fillings of the Nogh Hiang were too loose and were not tightly wrapped under the fried beancurd skin. However, the taste was decent but still lacked the oomph of what Nogh Hiang was supposed to have. 

Nogh Hiang - $15.80

Lets's dip the Nogh Hiang into the sweet dipping sauce and chilli.

Part of the Nogh Hiang

We ordered the Otak Otak and shared it among ourselves. It tasted quite ordinary.

Otak Otak - $9.80

The Ikan Bawal Asam Nanas Pedas was delectable. The tangy and spicy sauce was a perfect gravy for the rice to pair with. 

Ikan Bawal Asam Nanas Pedas - $38

Simply loves this inviting dish as this white Promfret fish meat was fresh and tender.

Promfet Fish

The curry gravy was on a watery side coupled with cabbages, long beans and a mixture of other vegetables. 

Sayor Lodeh (Curry Vegetables) - $14.80 (Small)

The Ayam Buah Keluak fell below my expectation. The gravy was on a watery side and while we expected such a dish to have an all-around blended taste from the spices, this was a far cry from it. 

Ayam Buah Keluak - $18.80 (Small)

Our icy desserts come in a ball of ice in a bowl. The bowls were small and portion adequate.

Our Desserts

The shaved ice was on the coarse side and the water chestnut with coconut milk was actually Red Ruby. 

Water Chestnut with Coconut Milk - $4.50

The use of Gula Melaka on the ice ball with some little sago balls immersed in the fragrant coconut milk. 

Sago Gula Melaka - $4.50

Chen Dol was refreshing and with the generous use of gula Melaka on the ice ball as well as coconut jelly and red beans.

Chen Dol - $4.50

Here's a spoonful of their Chen Dol. The taste was decent.

A spoonful of Chen Dol

Near the end of our meal, these complimentary kuehs were served.

Complimentary Kuehs

With a long history in Peranakan food, I was expecting more from them. Overall, I find that the food was quite ordinary and there are better ones out there I have tried.

Rating: 3 / 5

Guan Hoe Soon
Location: 200 Joo Chiat Road #01-01 Singapore 427471