[SG EATS] Peranakan Dinner at National Kitchen by Violet Oon | National Gallery Singapore
When it comes to Peranakan cuisine, one of the established restaurant that most people will think of is Violet Onn in Singapore. The restaurant is owned by the food connoisseur, Violet Onn. National Kitchen is one of her three restaurants in Singapore. I visited the restaurant on a Monday night along with 2 ladies for a catch up session.
We were lucky enough to secure the reservation at 6.15pm to 8.00pm. We were told initially that the reservation is only available after 8.00pm few days before we booked. But thank god we managed to secure it earlier and we are here for the first time. Oh well… at least for me.
There were 3 of us and we each choose a dish of our choice. Here are the dishes we ordered:
(P/S: Photos taken using phone instead camera)
Satay S$15.00++
We started off with Grilled chicken satay marinated in spices and served with a spicy peanut sauce topped with grated pineapple, steamed rice cake, cucumber and red onion slices. Not the usual satay size but it comes 3 juicy meat chunks threaded on bamboo skewers. And it goes well with the distinctive spicy peanut sauce.
Ikan Goreng Chilli S$19.00++
Fried red snapper topped with a spicy fragrant chilli padi garlic rempah. And yes it was indeed spicy. My friend enjoyed the spiciness of the dish. I am not a fan of spicy though.
Beef Rendang S$23.00++
Tender beef shin braised in a melange of spices flavoured with kaffir and bay leaves in a creamy coconut sauce. The photo couldn’t justify how delish this is. It is best to go with a bowl of rice. This dish has depth of flavour with complexity of spices in it.
Chap Chye S$15.00++
Classic nyonya festive dish of braised mixed vegetables and bean curd skin in rich prawn bisque.
Total bill was S$87.10 inclusive of 10% service charge and 7% GST. We also ordered a bowl of nasi lemak rice S$2.00++. The whole dining experience was pleasant and they helped us to prepare a complimentary slice of cake for the birthday girl. We even got our photo taken and printed by the restaurant. I guess this is one of the added services when you dine in here.
As a whole, the service in National Kitchen by Violet Onn was attentive and friendly. As for the Peranakan dishes, it was nice and delicious but it doesn’t leave me a deep impression though. I had better ones before. However, I do think it is a nostalgic place for the older generation and a good place for the ang mohs in terms of the environment settings and of course the taste buds.
National Kitchen by Violet Oon
1 St. Andrew’s Road, National Gallery
#02–01, Singapore 178957
Email: eat@violetoon.com
Tel: +65 9834 9935
Website: http://violetoon.com/
Read about other Peranakan Restaurants that I tried in Singapore here.