Charlie's Peranakan Food

205 East Coast Road T. 6344 8824

Cash only

I've been on a Peranakan thing of late. Hence this latest romp to Charlie's. This was a slightly different experience though, perhaps because there were no overt references made to Peranakan culture and traditions. This seemed to be just about the food. The restaurant was furnished and decorated simply; the menu while not very long, featured all the well-known dishes. Top dibs to the achar fish (fish in a tangy vegetable pickle), so lightly fried it just melted in the mouth, leaving a nice sour aftertaste. Also good was the bakwan kepiting (minced pork and crab meatballs in soup) which was a bit too delicate for my dining companion, but I found had homey appeal. We were a little disappointed by the ayam pongteh (chicken in bean sauce) though--the flavours were indistinguishable from regular chicken in soy sauce. In keeping with the ambience, this was a good light Peranakan meal. Not for those used to stronger stuff though. Total bill for two: S$32.60