Does the term ‘Tok Panjang’ sound familiar to you, or is it something foreign still? What about an entirely vegetarian Tok Panjang? Does it give you a hint of what you are about to read next? Now, whether or not your answer to the above is in the positive or negative, you are in for a new gourmet adventure, especially for those of you who have a vegetarian diet! What is ‘Tok Panjang’? Before I forget to mention, ‘Tok Panjang’ traditionally means ‘Long Table’. It is part of a unique Peranakan culture where a lavish feast is laid out for guests on special occasions. And I had my very first…
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The Peranakan, Singapore: Christmas Set Menu
Celebrate this Christmas with a cultural twist at The Peranakan. Christmas does not always have to be about Turkey, log cakes and hot chocolate. This festive season can also be a time of get-together over traditional Asian delights to celebrate our own cultural roots. I am not Peranakan but I adore Nyonya food and its culture. Over the years, there has been a resurgent interest in this Peranakan culture. It is a rich hybrid of several ethnic traditions like Chinese, Malay, Indian and European. Part of our Singapore’s history and cultural roots are also intertwined with the Peranakan culture. I was excited to be back at The Peranakan. They have…
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Celebrating Singapore’s Hawker Heritage at The Lobby Lounge, Shangri-La Hotel Singapore
Credit: Shangri-La Hotel Singapore After eight months of renovation works, the Tower Wing at Shangri-La Hotel is finally ready to usher their guests with brand new rooms and suites, restaurants, stunning lobby, revamped lobby and a revitalised club lounge. It was a breath of fresh air here to be returning back to Shangri-La Hotel and it was definitely an exhilarating moment for me as I entered the lobby and marvel at the ceiling art installation of the hotel as I made a slow walk to the Lobby Lounge. This installation was designed up renowned Japanese designer Hirotoshi Sawada. The Lobby Lounge is well-known for their western tiered high tea set. But right…
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The Peranakan Festival, Singapore @ Claymore Connect: The Good Ol’ Days
The Peranakan culture is unique to Singapore and there are some influences of this culture in our local food and traditions. That is also perhaps why the mention of ‘peranakan’ reminded me of the good ol’ days in Singapore as well as the baba-nyonyas and their traditional food like kueh and Nyonya Ba Chang (rice dumplings). It’s a beautiful marriage betwen the Chinese and Malay culture to form this unique hybrid of culture that has been brought down from generations to generations. From 27 May to 17 June 2017, the Peranakan Festival will be held at Claymore Connect for visitors to learn the Straits Chinese community through immersive and enriching…
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Spice Peranakan: Banyak Pedas
Spice Peranakan @Biopolis I was down for a circle line SMRT makan session with Dr Leslie Tay, author of ieatishootipost.com with 19 other participants. All of us head down to Spice Perankan which is about 5 to 7 minutes walk from Buona Vista MRT station. When I first entered their restaurant, I was pretty taken aback by their modern furnishings that spells out “western” rather than “asian”. It looks no different from a western dining place. You wouldn’t have known that this restaurant here actually serve traditional peranakan food. Though there are some signs of items that speaks of the past about the history of peranakans. There’s…
