Authentic Peranakan Cuisine at The Real Peranakan - Partake in The Real Peranakan’s continuous journey in search of Heritage Peranakan cuisine. Helmed by Veteran Peranakan Chef, Philip Chia

Delve into a world of nostalgia with The Real Peranakan. Enjoy Heritage Peranakan comfort foods in a friendly, family-orientated setting where you will find traditional favorites and long-lost recipes spearheaded by Celebrity Chef Philip Chia, The Peranakan Chef who curated the culinary aspects of the Channel 8 hit TV series ‘The Little Nonya’. 

The Real Peranakan (“TRP”), is founded on the belief that the gastronomical journey never ends, and in working with the best chefs, diners would be led on a journey of authentic cultural dishes that is hoped will bring people of all ages together.

Savor the tangy, spicy, herby, and aromatic flavors characteristic of authentic Peranakan cuisine that highlights the variety of cultural heritage spices and cooking techniques primarily from the Chinese, Malay and Indonesian ethnic groups. 

The Real Peranakan opened two outlets in quick succession, earlier this year, in July and August 2020, amidst a global pandemic. In the short span of 2 months, The Real Peranakan’s menu has evolved and now showcases a celebrated menu that pays homage to Singapore’s rich cultural diversity and heritage flavors from a bygone era, aptly helmed by a true-blue Peranakan and an indisputable authority on Peranakan Cuisine.

 The diversity and depth of Peranakan food stem from its’ intricacies and the passion that goes behind the creation of each and every dish from scratch. Unbeknownst to many diners when forking up a tender chunk of melt in your mouth Babi Pongtay dripping with savory juices or scooping up second helpings of that irresistible sambal to go with fluffy white rice, is the labor of love involved in creating every dish.

That the chefs at The Real Peranakan take pride in what they do is evident from the passion which you can feel whilst talk to Philip about the process and effort that goes into making their homemade rempah. He explains, “Peranakan foods really requires you to be conscious about the ingredients you are handling and how you handle them. Any shortcuts and the change in taste, fragrance, and finish will be clearly evident.”

A heady and wondrous fusion of all things spicy, aromatic, and homely, dig-in to Chef Philip’s heirloom recipes with appetizers like fragrant Babalicious Otah ($11.80). Bite into tender fish parcels imbued with rempah and wrapped with banana leaves.

Ngoh Hiang ($15.80) a traditional Peranakan staple, using fresh, unsalted beancurd skin stuffed with diced water chestnuts and carrots with homemade 5 spice powder. 

Ngoh Hiang is a deceptively simple dish that requires precise and skillful preparation of proportions to yield exactly the right consistency and flavor profile by individually frying each ingredient to release its aroma before combining them all together for its signature crisp and juicy bite. 

Round off the appetizer selection with a soul-nourishing Hee Peow Soup ($16.80), a fish maw, collagen-rich broth filled with handmade prawn ball, pork ball, and fishball using Chef Philip’s grandmas’ age-old recipe. A labor of love, each bowl requires 6 hours of preparation and simmering for an authentic dip into Peranakan cuisine. Pre-order three days in advance to snag this homely, belly-warming soup.

Diners can also expect quintessentially traditional Peranakan dishes such as Ayam Buah Keluak ($19.80), a flavourful dish of chicken slow-cooked to full-bodied flavor in the essence of the Black Buah Keluak nut, a complex ingredient of creamy earthiness with a touch of bittersweetness some say is akin to single-origin dark chocolate. A culinary paradox, the Buah Keluak is said to contain hydrogen cyanide that is deadly if not properly treated.

Dig into Nyonya Chap Chye ($16.80), a Hokkien dish of mixed vegetables and fried beancurd that is a mainstay of every Peranakan household and affectionately known as the dish used to evaluate the “value” of girlfriends looking to be accepted into a Peranakan household by their future mother-in-law. 

Another must-have, the decadent Babi Pongtay ($22.00) is an old recipe passed down through 5 generations and requires 3 to 4 hours of labor in the kitchen. Its’ melt in the mouth pork slices is brought to life by crushing fresh green chili into the gravy.

Sambal Udang Belimbing (seasonal) ($26.80) features the sour baby star fruit “Belimbing” that used to grow in abundance, wild in the kampongs and home gardens of yore. Now a hard to get ingredient in Peranakan cooking and a piquant dish, its tart and refreshing flavor is complemented perfectly with the rich (lemak) taste of coconut milk and deftly handled with Chef Philip’s secret recipe.  Another essential must-know dish in a lady’s arsenal of recipes to win over her mother-in-law.

The Real Peranakan takes pride in welcoming you to embark on a culinary treat and rediscover heritage dishes in a modern and contemporary setting.

Official Opening Special: Get 1 Free Main Course with Any Purchase of 4 Main Courses

In celebration of The Real Peranakan’s official launch, savor an assortment of rich Peranakan foods the traditional way – spread across a communal table and enjoyed together with your loved ones. Exclusively for one month only, from 21 October to 20 November 2020, enjoy an additional main course with any four main courses purchased!

Terms and conditions

- Available for dine-in only, no takeaways allowed

- Promotion is from 21 October to 20 November 2020, while stock last

- Available from 11.30am – 9.30 pm (last order)

- Not redeemable with any other discounts or promotions

- Not valid on eve of public holidays and public holidays

- No splitting of bill is allowed

- Not applicable for breakfast items

The Real Peranakan @ Hillcrest (Opened early August 2020)
Address:	73 Hillcrest Road S(288945)
Contact:	+65 9783 1118
Opening hours:	Tue-Sun, 7:30am-10pm (Last Order at 9:30pm)
The Real Peranakan @ Kim Yam (Opened mid-July 2020)
Address:	46 Kim Yam Road S(239351)
Contact:	+65 9783 1118
Opening hours:	Tue-Sun, 11am-10pm (Last Order at 9:30pm)
Website:	https://www.therealperanakan.com/
Delivery:	Soon available on Grab / Food Panda / Oddle
Facebook:	@therealperanakan https://www.facebook.com/TheRealPeranakan/
Instagram:	@therealperanakan https://www.instagram.com/therealperanakan/