The Place Located at Orchard Gateway, Bonding Kitchen is a modern Peranakan restaurant helmed by chef-owner Danny Chew. The restaurant has ample natural lighting in the day, and the inspiration behind the space is for diners to bond over a meal here.

The Food I started with the Kueh Pie Tee (S$12/4 pieces), where Chef Danny handmakes each crispy shell. Make your own Kueh Pie Tee with condiments and sides like the stewed young shredded turnips braised in prawn stock, prawns, quail eggs and crispy lard bits, and add the chilli sauce of course!

The Pong Tauhu (S$10) is a combination of prawn stock and superior stock, along with meatball. The broth is relatively taste and it is a comforting and light dish before the heavy flavours hit the palate.

For a more refreshing and tangy dish,go for the Kacang Botol Kerabu (S$12) where young winged beans with shrimps is tossed in calamansi dressing.

Of course, Peranakan meal is really about the strong flavoured dishes and the Wagyu Beef Rendang (S$32) is a good representation.This is a dry version which uses Australian Wagyu beef, topped with fried coconut shavings.

One of my favourite dishes from my meal is the Barramundi Fish Assam Pedas (S$26) which is served with brinjal, pineapples, cherry tomatoes and ladies’ finger along with gravy infused with lemongrass, ginger flower and laksa leaf. It has a slightly spicy and tangy kick to it, which I like.

I had higher expectations for the Nasi Goreng Buah Keluak (S$15) as I have tried a few versions of Buah Keluak fried rice. This version is unfortunately not intense enough on the buah keluak flavour, and lacks the punch.

Other dishes I tried include the likes of Hokkien Lor Ark (S$22) where the duck is simmered with a blend of spices and soya sauce; the Udang Sambal Petai (S$22); and the Sotong Masak Hitam (S$20) which boasts a mix of squid ink, tamarind and fried belachan.

For dessert, the Chendol (S$7) really can’t go very wrong.

Rants For the price, the portions of the dishes here are generally quite small.

Will I Return Again? Decent Peranakan option in Orchard Road, which fills a void for this cuisine in this precinct. Some of the dishes like the Nasi Goreng Buah Keluak will be better off with a bolder flavour, and it will also be better if the portions are bigger.

This was an invited tasting, though all opinions expressed are our own.

TheRantingPanda says:
Taste bud: 3.5/5
Hole in the pocket: 3.5/5
Ambience: 3.5/5
Overall Experience: 3.5/5

Bonding Kitchen
277 Orchard Road
#02-18
Singapore 238858
Tel: +65 8860 9087

Opening Hours
Tuesday to Sunday: 11.30am to 3pm; 5:30pm to 10:30pm
Closed on Mondays

Ranted by The Ranter