🍽 Chilli Padi Nyonya Café – A Cozy Peranakan Buffet Experience That Feels Like Home

We came here as a big group for the weekend dinner buffet and I’m honestly glad we did. I’m not usually a buffet person, but this one reminded me why I used to enjoy them — the pace, the variety, and the little surprises along the way.

I started with the laksa, and it blew me away. Rich, flavourful broth with a twist — they had thinly sliced cucumber to go with it, which added a cool crunch that balanced everything out. Never had that in laksa anywhere else in Singapore, and now I wish more places did that. The mee siam that followed was decent, but didn’t quite match the laksa.

Out of all the dishes, there were a few real standouts. The ayam buah keluak and beef rendang were exceptional — deep, robust flavours and super tender meat. The braised pork belly was melt-in-your-mouth goodness, and the chicken chwee kueh was new to me, but so good my daughter had seven in one sitting. We also really enjoyed the kueh pie tee — that familiar Peranakan taste came through in the stewed radish. The pig stomach soup was another unexpected hit.

For desserts, they didn’t hold back. A wide range of Nonya kueh, all beautifully done, and ice cream for the kids. One of the servers even brought us lemongrass jelly she personally recommended — it was so refreshing, and a nice way to end the meal.

At $25.80 per pax for a weekend buffet, it honestly felt like great value. The location might be a bit out of the way unless you’re driving, but with Grab it’s no big deal. The restaurant itself was quiet and cozy — we felt like we had the whole place to ourselves.

What made the experience even better was the warm service. The staff were so friendly and attentive, clearing plates quickly and chatting with us throughout the evening.

It’s not every day you find a buffet like this — affordable, flavorful, and heartwarming in every way. Definitely coming back the next time that Peranakan craving hits.

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Post by Crumpled Nomad | Jul 28, 2025