In this National Day issue, we’d like to introduce you to a local restaurant with a strong social mission, serving food from a culture that’s unique to our little corner of the world. Let’s get to know The Peranakan.

 

There’s absolutely nothing small or shy about anything The Peranakan does.

 

This is evident the moment you enter the restaurant, where every corner is stuffed with kebayas, lacquered tiffin boxes, batik tablecloths and other colourful, intricately designed pieces. If not for the delicious aromas wafting through the air, you could easily mistake the place for a store selling Peranakan collectibles.

 

 

Next comes the big, friendly greeting and wide smiles that characterise the warm, easygoing service here. It makes you feel like a cherished guest rather than a paying customer.

 

Big on kindness

 

But there’s a very good reason to pay. The Peranakan isn’t an ordinary restaurant; it’s a non-profit that supports needy residents in its neighbourhood of Lengkok Bahru.

 

Even before running as a social enterprise, The Peranakan has always been a big-hearted organisation. It opened to great acclaim and had a very successful 5-year run at its original location on Orchard Road – bringing joy to diners through its powerful Peranakan flavours. 

 

During the pandemic, it stepped up for the community – distributing food to healthcare workers and vulnerable elderly residents in Lengkok Bahru’s rental flats. And despite an 80% reduction in sales it continued to take care of its team, retaining every single staff member.

 

Back with a bigger mission

 

Though the original restaurant didn’t survive the pandemic, it has reopened as a social enterprise that supports The Saturday Movement, a charity organisation founded by its Executive Chef Raymond Khoo.

 

Located deep in the heartland at Jalan Lengkok Bahru, the new restaurant is now in an even better position to support its neighbours in need.

 

Every day, The Peranakan and its sister restaurant S17 Community Kitchen (located on the same row of shops) provide free meals to hundreds of disadvantaged households nearby.

 

They also serve as community hubs for social interactions, helping to combat the growing issue of isolation and loneliness – particularly among seniors.

 

Their cause is worthy, but obviously not cheap. This is where you come in: simply dine at either restaurant and the proceeds will go towards supporting their charitable efforts. 

 

And if our meal at The Peranakan is anything to go by, this will easily be one of the most delicious ways you can contribute to society.

 

 

BIG on flavour

 

When it comes to their food, the first thing we have to mention is their complimentary sambal belacan. This flavour-packed condiment is bright red, fresh, spicy and tangy with just the right amount of belacan funk. Best of all, it’s made fresh in-house in small batches – so you can tweak it any way you want to fit your personal taste and heat tolerance.

 

Similarly powerful flavours are found in many of the dishes we ordered. 

 

Like the sharp, salty umami of the chinchalok which immeasurably elevated the simple steamed ladies’ fingers underneath it and made our tastebuds sing. Or the pungent, fermented buah keluak that added depth and character to our Ayam Buah Keluak dish. And the assertive, complex spices of the Fish Otah that nicely complemented the delicate chunks of mackerel embedded within it.

 

 

For a bit of contrast and relief from the strong flavours, we also had the mellow, comforting Nyonya Chap Chye and melt-in-your-mouth Babi Pongteh, along with the neutral-tasting but beautiful butterfly pea flower rice.

 

 

For dessert, we ordered the Durian Pengat, Apom Bok Kwa Pisang and a limited-time item: Chendol. Here, they dialed up the flavour yet again, with rich coconut milk helping to deliver a sweet, creamy, indulgent finale that was worth every sinful calorie.

 

 

It was a great meal, served by great people, for a great cause – one we would recommend without any reservation.

 

In fact, the only questions to ask are: When are you going, and who are you bringing?