Hidden Peranakan eatery serving $9.80 lunch units like ayam buah keluak at Havelock 2

Straits Bakery is a Peranakan eatery positioned at Havelock 2 which serves $9.80 lunch units. How did I uncover them? Well, my mum advised me about it. She chanced upon them by way of a random Facebook publish that popped up on her feed.

Growing up as a half Peranakan, I had the privilege of savouring my grandma’s wonderful cooking. Now that she not has the potential to take action, I’m always on the hunt for brand new Peranakan meals institutions. After strolling round like a headless rooster, I lastly discovered Straits Bakery at a quiet nook within the basement— and it was large!

The entire eatery had a contemporary but rustic really feel to it with ample seats, separated into 2 sections. I even noticed an ice cream and waffles nook.

They’ve mixed forces with The Bakery Chef, which was once a restaurant at Bukit Merah Central which I’d visited a few years in the past. The pretty muffins on the glass show are offered by them.

What I attempted at Straits Bakery

I launched into my Peranakan voyage with Set A – Ayam Buah Keluak (S$9.80). It had a rooster drumstick, blue pea rice, fish keropok, omelette, cucumber sticks, a dish of sambal belacan and achar. All the lunch units include a glass of Straits Iced Tea.

The blue pea rice was aesthetically pleasing with its various shades of child blue and white. Short-grained rice was used, which was barely starchier than the conventional jasmine variation.

Let’s discuss in regards to the pièce de résistance of the dish, the ayam buah keluak. The flesh of the nuts was scooped out and infused into the sauce.

The gravy was thick and darkish, making the piece of rooster thigh appear like it had participated in a gothic cosplay occasion.

For these unacquainted with buah keluak, it’s an acquired style— simply think about a fusion of black truffle and fermented black beans.

The flesh from the rooster thigh was tender and had absorbed all of the strong flavours of the sauce. In phrases of style, it was genuine and tasted like a carbon copy of my grandma’s. Win!

I attempted pairing the rooster with the sambal belacan, which resulted in a multi-dimensional expertise. The sambal had tangy notes of citrus, which uplifted the umami flavours of the fermented shrimp coming from the belacan.

I wished to go for Set C – Nyonya Babi Pongteh (S$9.80), but it surely wasn’t obtainable. And so, I made a decision to order Set D – Fried Chicken with Cucu Sambal (S$9.80) as a substitute. I resonated with the phrase “cucu” which implies grandchild in Peranakan, a phrase my grandma used to introduce me to my kinfolk.

It was a fried rooster cutlet smothered in an orangey sambal which seemed intimidating. Similar to the earlier dish, the remainder of the dish had the identical elements.

I mentally ready myself for the upcoming warmth of the sambal on prime, however nothing occurred. The sambal wasn’t spicy in any respect, however as a substitute had fascinating textural bites of garlic, shallots and different spices.

Like the saying, “the best things come when you least expect them to”, this fried rooster with the cucu sambal was unexpectedly scrumptious!

The omelette had thinly-sliced lengthy beans in it which gave it some crunch. I had enjoyable snacking on the fish keropok in between, and dunking them into the sambal was tremendous shiok.

Perhaps my solely slight displeasure with the dish was the achar. It wanted just a little extra acidic tang to hit the spot for me.

I additionally ordered a aspect dish of Penang Otak (S$4), which was garnished with sprigs of chilli and kaffir lime leaves.

The style was spot-on, but it surely was a bit too exhausting and dry for me. If it was softer and extra moist, the Penang Otak would have been good. What a pity!

Finally, we ended issues off with an exquisite Kueh Salat Cheese Cake Slice (S$5). It was visually beautiful with pastel shades of blue and inexperienced. Just take a look at it!

For avid coconut followers, this cake shall be proper up your alley. It had sturdy whiffs of pandan and coconut milk flavour infused into the velvety-smooth cheese. It actually was the proper ending!

Final ideas

The subsequent time you’re within the Clarke Quay neighborhood, head on over to Havelock 2 and provides Straits Bakery a attempt. Their dishes are tasty and wallet-friendly on the identical time, and there’s no service cost as effectively.

I’m already planning my subsequent go to to savour their different dishes… can’t wait!

Expected injury: S$10 – S$16.50 per pax

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