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

Verandah@Rael's - The Star Vista

 I was spoiled for choice when my friends asked me to pick a dinner spot at The Star Vista. After some deliberation, I decided on Verandah@Rael's, as it offered the cuisine I was craving most at the moment.

Verandah 

I have been craving satay for quite some time now. These satay sticks are beautifully marinated, with tender and succulent chicken grilled to perfection. They're served with a rich and flavorful traditional peanut sauce with sides of chopped onions and cucumber for a refreshing balance.

Chicken Satay (7 Sticks) - $9.80

The broth may appear spicy with its orange hue, but the vibrant color actually comes from the prawns. This flavorful soup is enriched with a delightful pork and prawn broth blend, complemented by juicy meatballs that make it irresistibly appetizing!

Pong Tauhu Soup (per serving) - $6.90

A must-order staple, this dish features tang hoon (glass noodles) cooked in a rich, flavorful broth. It’s tossed with crispy beancurd strips, shiitake mushrooms, and cabbage, creating a hearty and satisfying combination.

Nonya Chap Chai - $13.90

A deliciously sweet and savoury stew of pork belly and turnips slow-cooked to perfection in a thick fermented soybean sauce with a subtle peppery kick. The rich, flavorful gravy pairs perfectly with steamed rice, making it a comforting and satisfying dish.

Babi Pongteh - $19.90

Overall, the Peranakan meals were quite decent. They also offer lunch and dinner set meals, making it a convenient option for a fuss-free dining experience.

Rating: 3.5 / 5

Verandah@Rael's - The Star Vista
Location:  The Star Vista, 1 Vista Exchange Green, #01-33/K2 Singapore 138617
Website

Sera Sera Nonya

Nonya cuisine is rare, especially when serving dishes like this. Sera Sera Nonya is located in one of Bukit Batok Coffeeshops and I thought it was rare.

Sera Sera Nonya

The Nonya Chicken Set comes with a big drumstick. Every set defaults to Blue Pea Rice,  "Azhar" aka pickles, vegetables and keropok (Crackers).

Nonya Soya Chicken Set - $7.90 

The meat was huge and well soaked in soya sauce with a tad ginger flavour. The meat was succulent and not too dry.

Soya Chicken

While the default items remain the set, the Sotong Asam Goreng was appetizing in its Asam sauce and flavour. For vegetables, we had some cabbages and long beans. 

Sotong Goreng Asam Set - $8.90

The Asam Sotong Goreng was not too spicy and was stirred fried with onions, tomatoes and etc. 

Sotong Asam Goreng

We revisited Sera Sera Nonya a few weeks later and realised that the Soya Chicken was served fried instead, then drenched with the sauce. We were disappointed that they stopped serving soup for the meal.

Nonya Soya Chicken Set - $7.90 

Besides having Soya Chicken and Sotong. We also ordered their Pork Pongtay. The portion was big and quite worthwhile if you enjoy braised pork with rice.

Pork Pongtay Set - $7.90

The Pork Pongtay set was well-braised and well-flavoured. The big cuts of meat was tender and the taste fit my style.

Pork Pongtay

While there aren't many Nonya Stalls around in the hawkers, I seriously think that it could last. Overall, the food standard and quality was above moderate. I will be back again!

Rating: 3.25 / 5

Sera Sera Nonya
Location: 273 Bukit Batok East Ave 4, Singapore 650273

Makko Teck Neo

A revist to Makko Teck Neo for Pernakan Cuisine. The facade and decorations of the shop look as untouched over the years.

Makko Teck Neo

The seatings outdoor still looks as traditional to me.

Outdoor Seating 

The price of this dish seems to remain the same throughout the years. This Nyonya-style vegetable stew dish may look simple but it actually takes quite some effort to cook them well. 

Nyonya Chap Chye - $14.90

The deep-fried "pork with prawn" roll is one of the recommended dishes on the menu. It is served with Teck Neo chilli chukar. The beancurd skin encasing the mixture of pork with prawns was very crispy indeed.

Nyonya Great Bites - $14.90

We had this fragrant fried chicken with the special sambal chilli. The Chicken was crispy in its skin and totally yummy with an additional fiery kick with chilli added,

Rempah Ayam Goreng - $14.90

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Posted 23 March 2019

I spotted Makko Teck Neo when I was walking towards the end of the row of shop houses in the old neighbourhood and was dumbfounded by the number of patrons that crowd around this eatery. Compared to the surrounding quiet estate, this place was bustling and I make note that I will be back for their Peranakan Food but that is a few years later - now.

Humble as it seems, visitors will be greeted by the traditional decorations and cosy settings. There were plants, hanging lamps and seating that reminds you of the 90s.

Makko Teck Neo

Classified under the Nyona Street Food in the Menu, this "Dry" Mee Siam is one of the recommended dishes that you may not want to skip. We don't often get to see Dry Mee Siam in most places here and this is consider a rare dish. Vermicelli was real spicy with serving of spicy tamarind and coconut sauce.

Dry Mee Siam - $5.80

Taste of  Nyonya Style Vegetables stew did not disappoint. However for a bowl of vegetables, the cost is relatively steep no doubt that it has mushrooms, vermicelli, cabbages, black fungus and prawns.

Nyona Chap Chye - $14.90

To my suprise, Nyonya Laksa was not spicy. In fact the dry Mee Siam Dish was much more spicier than this. Dish was tasty but it still lack some usual taste. Ingredients like fishcake, taupok, noodles and prawns were included. If you are looking for "hum" aka cockles, they are no where to be found.

Nyonya Laksa - $5.80

I guess anyone will agree that this is a quintessential dish when we visit a Nyonya Eatery. Gravy was rich and savory with a hints of lemongrass fragrance. Chicken was braised with pork rib and the popular black nut, Buah Keluak. Special utensils was given to dig out the flesh from the nut. If you will like to have more black nut, they can be bought at additional cost of $2.50 each.

Ayam Buah Keluak - $16.90

Chendol was not too bad with plump coconut jelly topping the small mountain of ice, drenched with the sweet gula melaka sauce. To my surprise, I found 4 attap seeds underneath.

Chendol - $4.90

Although we finally get to it here, we did not have enough stomach for other items on the menu. I will like to try out more of their recommended dishes on the menu. Let's make a return trip soon!

Rating: 3.5 / 5

Makko Teck Neo
Location: Blk 35 Telok Blangah Rise #01-303 Singapore 090035
Operating Hours: Monday to Friday 10.30am to 9.00pm
                                Saturday & Sunday / Public Holidays 9.00am to 9.00pm

Godmama

Godmama is one of the popular dining places in Funan Mall. They are located on the 4th level and specialised in serving Modern Peranakan Food. I have been eyeing their Peranakan Food since Funan had been reopened. 

Godmama at Funan

As we did not have a reservation, we were offered a seat in the Alfresco dining section. The menu was well designed and laid out with alluring graphics.

Menu

We had the Makan Kakis Set and we found out that the portion was actually big enough for 3 pax. It consists of Small Plates, Mains for sharing, Choice of Dessert and Drink.

Makan Kakis Set Menu $80++ for 2 pax

Small Plates (Sharing)

Ikan Keropok was served as a starter for sharing. The plate of fish crackers was big for 2 pax. Fish crackers were crispy and comes with a Homemade Belacan Mayo dip.

Ikan Keropok

The pieces of fish Crackers were flavourful and big in size.

Dip the crackers

Choice of Drink (1 Each)

The cooler gave me a refreshing start for the meal, just that it was a bit on the bitter side.

Pandan Lemongrass Cooler

The Pandan with Gula Melaka was thick with coconut milk. Stir well before drinking.

Pandan with Gula Melaka 

This is an additional item we ordered out of the Makan Kaki's Menu. The popiah is said to be recreated using Godmama's traditional family recipe. While the typical popiah uses the Popiah Skin, Godmama make use of egg skin crepe filled with hand-cut, stewed and caramelized vegetable fillings, lettuce, minced garlic, crispy garlic, sprouts, fresh prawns and cucumber wrapped within. 

All-Star Egg Skin Popiah - $6.50

The size of the Popiah reminds me of the famous Popiah in Joo Chiat. However, the taste from it was something out of my expectation as the fillings were more on the marshy side without crunchy details. The garlic taste was overpowering overall.

Fillings

The crispy wings are addictive. The way they cut the mid joint into halves makes it easier to consume. These wings were dusted with a special spice seasoning and served with homemade Belacan mayo similar to what they had for the Ikan Keropok.

Nyonya Fried Wings

A pet peeve was that the meat was a little bit dry.

Wing and Homemade Belacan Mayo

Mains (Sharing) 

Mains

A classic Nyonya mixed vegetables braised in vegetable soup with bean curd skin and mushrooms. The soup is good enough to drench on the rice.

Chap Chye 

This Signature belly of pork is simmered in an aromatic tamarind stew served with Tau Kwa (tofu) and chilli.

Babi Assam

Sotong aka Squid was stirred fried and cooked together with mild spicy and sweet sambal sauce. The texture was chewy and decent.

Sambal Sotong

Nyonya Archar is a staple must-have dish in every Peranakan Household and I thought it will be good. The ones I had from the wet market is better.

Nyonya Archar & Sambal Belacan

Butterfly Blue Pea Rice did have the right fluff but lacked in fragrance.

Butterfly Blue Pea Rice 

Choice of Dessert (1 Each)

The Durian Creme Brulee is unavailable and we got to choose other desserts given on the normal menu. We had the Gingerflower & Lychee Sorbet which is Godmama's exclusive by local creamery Apiary. It is topped with roasted peanut crumble, lime jelly and crowned by a piece of dried pineapple.

Ginger flower & Lychee Sorbet 

My favourite dish out of the entire menu! The homemade silken coconut panna cotta was served chilled with Pulut Hitam (black glutinous rice) and desiccated coconut topped with some biscuit crumbles. The riots of texture from this dessert left a good impression on me.

Pulut Hitam Panna Cotta

Having tried the desserts, they made me want to come back again for their Durian Creme Brulee which was not available on that day.

Rating: 3 / 5

Godmama
Location: 107 North Bridge Rd, #04-07, Singapore 179105
Website