Bibik Violet – Nasi Lemak, Satay and Peranakan Comfort Food in a Heritage Shophouse

I’ve been wanting to visit Bibik Violet ever since it opened in September, but as with most year-end plans, it kept getting pushed aside by the usual madness. So when I finally made it there for dinner last night, it felt like a small personal victory. There was a queue when I arrived — hardly surprising, because when it comes to Peranakan cuisine, Violet Oon is a name synonymous with heritage, credibility, and impeccable flavours.

While Violet Oon’s other restaurants lean towards a more atas, celebratory dining experience, Bibik Violet feels intentionally different. It’s more homely, more relaxed, and noticeably easier on the wallet — a place you can visit casually, yet still enjoy thoughtfully prepared Peranakan dishes.

Housed within the Temasek Shophouse, a century-old iconic landmark, stepping inside truly feels like entering a Baba’s home. There’s wooden decking throughout, classic Peranakan tile flooring, and warm vintage accents everywhere. Even the tableware — adorned with peony, coconut tray, and pineapple motifs — adds to the nostalgic charm. The entire space is colourful, welcoming, and instantly sets you in a happy mood for dinner.

Violet has always been a respected senior in the food scene. From her early days as a journalist and food writer to becoming a celebrated restaurateur, she has always had a way of weaving stories into her dishes. You don’t just eat here — you feel the history, intention, and memory behind every plate.

This dinner was initiated by my best friend, who had already visited once and loved it so much that she insisted on bringing me back. Even though I had just returned from Malacca — where I ate at least three plates of nasi lemak over the past week — I knew I still had to order Bibik Violet’s nasi lemak because my best friend simply wouldn’t stop raving about it.

The Nasi Lemak with Ayam Berempah is a solid, no-regrets choice. You get all the familiar elements — fragrant coconut rice, sambal, crispy anchovies, peanuts, and egg — but the real star is the ayam berempah. The fried chicken is marinated in aromatic herbs and spices, then topped with crispy lemongrass strips. It arrived piping hot and incredibly fragrant. One bite in, the chicken was juicy without being greasy, and those lemongrass strips added an extra layer of aroma that I loved. The sambal leans slightly sweeter and vibrant, which pairs beautifully with the spiced chicken. As Singaporeans who have eaten nasi lemak our whole lives, we instinctively know when one is done right — and Bibik Violet’s version is definitely one I’d return for.

To complement the nasi lemak, we also shared their Fish Curry with brinjal, ladies’ fingers, and tomatoes. This is one for those who love a bold, spice-forward curry. It’s thick, tangy, savoury, and unapologetically punchy — the kind of curry that clings to your roti prata and makes every bite deeply satisfying. For vegetables, the menu also offers comforting classics like Chap Chye, Vegetable Curry, and Ladies’ Fingers Sambal.

We couldn’t resist ordering the Chicken Satay as well. These were juicy, nicely charred, and carried a gentle smokiness from the grill. The real magic, though, lies in Bibik Violet’s signature peanut sauce — rich, nutty, slightly sweet, and dangerously addictive. Other popular dishes on the menu include Ngoh Hiang, Laksa, Buah Keluak Soft Ribs, and Ikan Panggang Sambal — all of which are now firmly on my list for the next visit.

A meal here would not feel complete without something sweet to finish. Bibik Violet offers a thoughtful selection of house-baked treats and traditional Nyonya kuehs, all made fresh daily in small batches. The selection rotates, so there’s always an element of surprise every visit. We especially enjoyed the Bibik Violet–exclusive cempedak cake, which was unexpectedly addictive without being cloying, along with the pulut hitam tart, and familiar favourites like kueh dada and butter cake — simple, comforting flavours that evoke a sense of nostalgia.

Will I be back? Absolutely. There are still so many dishes I haven’t tried, and everything we had on this first visit — which, I should add, was fully paid for by me and not a hosted media tasting — was genuinely delicious. I’m already planning my second trip.