Kim Choo Kueh Chang

109-111 East Coast Road. T. 67412125

The set up at Kim Choo's is simple-on the right, traditional round marble-top tables with rattan chairs; on the left, shelves of spices, condiments, and other kitchen essentials. Upstairs, a Peranakan (straits chinese) heritage shop and exhibition. That coupled with the warm, sincere service, you could be forgiven for thinking you were entering someone's home.

For dinner we were recommended Peranakan specialities sayur lodeh (mixed vegetables in coconut gravy), ayam buah keluak (chicken cooked with brown nuts stuffed with spices, a Peranakan speciality) and chilli squid. The food took a while to come, but that seemed to be because everything was cooked a la minute. But the portions were generous, and boy was it yummy! The ayam buah keluak had quite a sharp tanginess to it, and the nuts were substantially filled. The sayur lodeh was subtle and light, and as is traditional, had jackfruit as well.

And the bill, including drinks and service charge, a pleasantly surprising S$30 (US$18).