Katong has no shortage of old-school Peranakan restaurants but Baba Chews is offering a twist on the traditional. The all-day dining restaurant is housed in the old Joo Chiat Police Station, a designated heritage building, and serves up modern Asian, Peranakan and Western cuisine. Tuck into time-tested favourites such as the Kopi-C spareribs ($25) that are made with housemade Kopi sauce, Peranakan Ayam Buah Keluak ($25), and the XO-Crab sauce Char Siew Donburi ($19).
That’s not all, there are newly launched dishes such as the No Rice Paper Roll ($19), Prawn Oil Kombu Tagliatelle ($24), and the Granchio ($23) – Singapore chilli crab inspired tagliatelle. While Katong’s known to be an expat hotbed, Baba Chews also cater to travellers staying around the vicinity with western favourites like the juicy East Coast Cheese Burger ($18) and hardy Fish and Chips ($25). Alas, wash all that tasty nosh down with quality brews from Common Man Coffee Roasters & TWG.
But be sure to try Baba's Chendol ($11) before you head off. A crowd favourite refreshing shaved iced dessert of Pandan jello, red bean mousse, gula Melaka popcorn and fresh coconut milk.