[Review] Violet Oon ION Orchard Welcomes Back Classics like Old School British Hainanese Pork Chop and Shepherd’s Pie With New March 2026 Menu Launch

Starting in March, the elegant Violet Oon Singapore outlet located at ION Orchard has refreshed its dining offerings. They have brought back several popular classics and introduced newly created plates that beautifully showcase local culinary traditions.

We were invited for a dinner tasting recently and we impressed by the pleasant ambiance and the welcoming staff from the onset. The lush indoor veranda on Level 4 is a calm, garden like retreat, making it a great spot for intimate meals and conversations. The updated selection is designed for dining across all generations, featuring familiar comforting options that cater to diverse palates, including non spicy, vegan options and more.

Kicking off the meal, we tried two pretty beverages.

The Violet Bloom cocktail () is a graceful interpretation on a classic French 75. It features Brass Lion butterfly pea gin paired with torch ginger, lychee konnyaku, manchino bianco, citrus, and prosecco, creating a drink full of delicate local flavours.

For an alcohol free option, the Pheonix Glory () is a fluffy hibiscus cacao sour mocktail. Made with spirit free cane and coffee, roselle, pomelo, and whites, it is refreshing and unique.

Left: Phoenix Glory
Right Violet Bloom

For our starter, the Eggplant Goreng Dip with Emping Cracker () presented a lovely vegetarian option. The eggplant puree was infused with coriander and lime, serving as a bright and zesty companion to the crispy emping crackers.

Moving on to the mains, the Hainanese Pork Chop () is an absolute must try and we are so glad it is brought back on the updated menu.

This staple of the British Hainanese kitchen features a deep fried Kurobuta pork loin crusted in a nostalgic cream cracker batter. Topped with a rich house made tomato reduction and served alongside steak cut fries and a side of petit pois tossed with minced kale, it delivers truly authentic flavours. I have not eaten such a well executed and authentic old school British Hainanese pork chop in a long while.

Another stellar returning classic is VO’s Shepherd’s Pie ().

This comforting dish consists of slow braised minced meat cooked in a rich savoury gravy, crowned with buttery mashed potatoes, and baked until golden. The nostalgic flavours are comforting.

We also shared the Nyonya Mah Mee (), which features silky Hokkien and rice noodles wok tossed with prawns, squid, and pork in a beautifully rich prawn broth. Topped with julienned egg, it arrives with traditional accompaniments including a piquant pineapple and cucumber rojak, crispy pork lard, and sambal belachan. The dish balances richness, freshness, and texture, reflecting the harmonious Peranakan culinary philosophy.

To finish our meal, we indulged in the Coconut Delight ().

This dessert features coconut jelly made with fresh coconut water, topped with tender coconut flesh and a scoop of coconut ice cream sprinkled with shaved gula melaka. It is refreshing and the perfect treat to quench your thirst and cool down in sunny Singapore.

We also sampled the VO Pineapple Tart Cake (), which tastes just like the festive Chinese New Year delight we all know and love, but in the shape and texture of a cake.

Fans of sweets will be thrilled to know that a new dessert trolley will soon make its debut at the restaurant, offering a handpicked array of the establishment’s decadent cakes throughout the day.

Guests can also visit the adjacent gift shop to pick up gourmet pantry essentials, signature peanut cookies, or handcrafted exotic fruit jams.

Overall, we absolutely loved the meal, as it truly elevates local Nyonya comfort food. Great for bringing your foreigner friends to introduce them to Singapore’s food heritage.

Violet Oon ION Orchard

Restaurant: #04-12 ·
Gift Shop: #04-11A
Address: 2 Orchard Turn, Singapore 238801

Operating Hours:
Monday – Sunday
Lunch: 12.00pm – 3.00pm
High Tea: 3.00pm – 5.30pm
Dinner: 6.00pm – 10.00pm