Joo Chiat, the cradle of Singapore’s Peranakan culture is home to more than just hearty nyonya food. Take a walk down East Road Road for instance and you’ll see a range of cuisines coming to the fore, from casual eateries like the Mexican-inspired Lower East Side Taqueria to British eatery Rabbit Carrot Gun.
Take a left turn into Joo Chiat Road and you'll see the area morph - starting from the likes of Awfully Chocolate then to bustling Vietnamese joints before ending at the Geylang offshoot of bib gourmand eatery Hjh Maimunah. Plentiful as dining options are here, not all have made our anonymous Michelin inspectors’ cut. For those short on time looking for food that won’t fail, here’s what’s they’ve recommended.
Look out for the colourful façade on busy East Coast Road if you want to try one of the best laksas in town. Nasi lemak and otah are on offer too but really it’s all about laksa and the only decision to make is whether you want large or small –don’t even think about asking for the recipe because it’s a family secret. The ‘wall of fame’ advertises its many famous clients.
Chilli Padi
For anyone wishing to explore the Peranakan culture, coming to Joo Chiat is a must – while you’re there, you’ll find this restaurant is the ideal place in which to taste authentic Peranakan dishes. The friendly staff are on hand to offer helpful advice, with the standout dishes being kueh pie tee, ikan assam and ayam rendang. The red-hued walls, Chinese furnishings and ceiling fans add to the atmosphere.
Zaffron Kitchen
Housed in a modern building on a busy road, this bright, modern Indian bistro comes with metal framed chairs, exposed brick walls, old tiles and an open kitchen. While the look and the technology used are very 21st century – menus are presented on an iPad– the cooking is much more traditional, with dishes from the tandoor being particularly tasty. The restaurant is also family-friendly and comes with a small play area for children.
Roland
In 1956 Mdm Cher Yam Tian created her famous chilli crab and, together with her husband Lim Choon Ngee, opened a small restaurant along the Kallang River. Now occupying a vast space atop a multi-storey carpark in Katong (with a hard-to-find entrance) and run by the second and third generations. Chilli crab rightly remains the bestseller. Other dishes to look out for are black sauce prawn, crispy baby squid and pomfret done in two ways.
Further reading: 8 Fascinating Facts You May Not Know About The Michelin Man
