[Review] Permata Penang Flavours of the Orient Buffet: Unbeatable 1 for 1 Deal at Singapore Historic Yellow Mansion

Situated in the historic Gedung Kuning or Yellow Mansion in Kampong Glam, Permata offers a dining experience steeped in rich history. This heritage building was once the residence of Tengku Mahmud, the younger son of Sultan Ali of Johor, making it the only former palace of a prince you can dine at in Singapore.

Permata, which means “jewel” in Malay, first opened its doors in April 2021. Its name is inspired by the trade in the 1920s, where diamonds and gemstones were sold in Kampong Glam. Now, the establishment frequently welcomes diplomats and esteemed dignitaries, including President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, and former President Halimah Yacob.

Stepping inside for a recent dinner tasting, the ambiance was a key highlight. The restored mansion exudes a warm, historic charm while maintaining homely vibes. Spanning over 10,000 square feet, Gedung Kuning was built in the late 1850s and its exterior was inspired by Palladian architecture, which is a European architectural style that was trendy back in the day. The interior of Gedung Kuning, like the former Istana Kampong Glam next to it, follows the design of a traditional Malay house. 

The staff were friendly and attentive throughout the evening. We even witnessed two large group birthday celebrations in one night, where the staff enthusiastically came out to sing birthday songs, adding a personal touch to the royal setting.

Time is of the essence for food lovers reading this today on 28 June. Permata is currently running an exceptional promotion that concludes on 30 June 2026.

Diners can enjoy an incredible 1 for 1 halal buffet deal applicable for adult guests. The Lunch Buffet (S++ for two adults) and the Dinner Buffet (S8++ for two adults) offer great value for money.

Families will be thrilled to know that children below seven dine for free, while there are also specially discounted tiered prices for senior citizens and young adults.

More details are available via the official Permata website.

Helmed by Culinary Director and celebrity chef Mel Dean, the restaurant refreshes its menu regularly. This June, the spotlight shines on the Penang Flavours of the Orient with a spread of over 50 delectable dishes.

Crucially, the permanent selection of elevated Nusantara cuisine showcases the bold, aromatic, and complex notes that the region is famous for. Nusantara is an old Javanese term that literally means “outer islands,” commonly used in Indonesia to describe the interconnected archipelagos of the Malay world. Permata serves Nusantara cuisine inspired by six archipelago countries: Indonesia, Southern Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, and East Timor.

The cuisine features an assortment of sweet, sour, salty, and spicy notes, thanks to the use of coconut milk, fresh aromatics like kaffir lime, ginger flower, pandan, tamarind, candlenut and turmeric, and a diverse range of spicy sambals. Do not miss out the wide assortment of homemade sambal and other condiments, some which cannot be commonly found elsewhere. We were impressed by the variety, including beloved street food classics.

The star of the night for us was the Penang Assam Laksa. You get to assemble your own bowls at the DIY station, ladling a fragrant fish based broth infused with tamarind and lemongrass over thick rice noodles. The balance of sour, spicy, and savoury flavours was truly addictive.

Another standout was the Penang Char Koay Teow, which carried a beautiful smoky wok hei. Tossed with prawns, egg, and bean sprouts, it tasted just like the hawker mastery you would find on the streets of Penang.

The Warisan Pulau Pinang station is where you will find the Nasi Kandar heritage. We loaded our plates with fragrant pandan rice and drenched it in rich, slow simmered gravies and curries, perfectly capturing the Indian Muslim influence of Penang. The line-up of dishes include the likes of Kari Telur, Kari Ikan Mamak, Ayam Goreng Bawang, Daging Hitam Berempah, Okra, Papadum, and Stir Fry Cabbage.

Alongside these signatures, the buffet also features a popular Seafood on Ice selection, a dinner grill station, and various traditional hot and cold desserts.

The Penang Flavours of the Orient buffet at Permata is a beautiful celebration of heritage recipes presented in a beautiful setting. With the promotion ending in just two days, book your tables now if you would like to experience this majestic feast at a discount.

Permata @ Yellow Mansion

Address:
73 Sultan Gate, Singapore 198497

Opening Hours:
Monday to Friday
12:00 PM to 2:30 PM and 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM
Saturday and Sunday
12:00 PM to 2:30 PM and 5:00 PM to 9:30 PM

Contact:
+65 9082 9941