[Review] Town Restaurant Delivers An Authentic Peranakan Feast With Li Nan Xing (李南星)

This National Day season, Town Restaurant at The Fullerton Hotel Singapore has partnered with veteran actor and passionate home chef, Li Nan Xing (李南星) to present six of his treasured family recipes at a specially curated buffet.

As someone who is a quarter Peranakan, I have a deep appreciation for the complex flavours of Straits Chinese cuisine. Naturally, my expectations were set high when we attended the media launch for the new dinner buffet.

The evening was made special as Li Nan Xing was there to personally introduce his signature dishes to us. He even took the time to scoop and present them directly from the buffet line to the lucky folks who were present. He will also be serving these dishes to guests from 7 to 9 August 2026 as part of the hotel National Day celebrations.

Growing up with many of these traditional recipes, I found the Homestyle Nyonya Chap Chye and the Aromatic Nyonya Beef Rendang to be fantastic.

The Chap Chye features a stir fried combination of snow peas, bean curd, black fungus, napa cabbage, carrot and tang hoon.

The Nyonya Beef Rendang consists of braised beef coated in a richly spiced coconut gravy that is lifted with kaffir lime and lemongrass. Both dishes delivered authentic, home cooked nostalgic flavours will leave you craving for more.

We also savoured Li Nan Xing’s home receipe for Kampung Curry Chicken and Assam Pedas, both great for pairing with rice for that home-cook goodness.

The absolute highlight of the night was the Peppery Bak Kut Teh with Black Garlic.

The soup is built on a balanced blend of aromatics and fork tender pork ribs. It is not piercingly sharp on the nose from strong peppery notes. Instead, it is savoury with a pleasant tinge of sweetness derived from the black garlic. It was so nourishing and delicious that I easily went back for at least four servings.

We also enjoyed the Crispy Seafood Cake, which offers an elevated take on the familiar local prawn fritter. This delightful snack was served piping hot at the live station and paired with Li Nan Xing’s signature dipping sauce.

Beyond the Peranakan showcase items, the culinary team at Town Restaurant has put together a sumptuous spread of familiar hawker favourites and locally inspired creations. These include an elevated versio of the humble Roti John. It features spiced ground beef and a garlic chilli drizzle served on egg crusted artisanal French bread.

For meat lovers, the live carving station offers a Meltique Beef Striploin. This premium cut takes inspiration from Ayam Percik, marinated with kaffir lime and lemongrass, presenting a fusion of robust local spices and Western roasting techniques.

The buffet offers much more for diners to explore. Seafood enthusiasts can enjoy Fresh Seafood On Ice which includes slipper lobster, snow crab leg, sea prawn, and half shell scallop. The Japanese Counter is another crowd pleaser, offering fresh cuts of sashimi such as salmon, tuna, and octopus alongside warm Japanese snacks like crispy battered tempura prawn and takoyaki balls. Those who prefer Asian flavours can sample local favourites that complete the savoury selection, including Hainanese Chicken Rice, Blue Pea Flower Nasi Lemak, Laksa and Fishball Noodles.

To conclude the evening, the dessert spread offers a mix of local delights like Bubur Cha Cha, warm Kueh Lapis Pudding with Chocolate Sauce and Ondeh Ondeh Cake.

This curated dining experience well captures the flavours that make Singapore truly special. Perfect for a celebratory and patriotic feast during this National Day season.

The dining experience is priced at S++ for an adult and S++ for a child.

Town Restaurant @ Fullerton Hotel Singapore

Address:
1 Fullerton Square, Singapore 049178

Opening Hours:
Tuesday to Saturday,
6.30 p.m. to 10.00 p.m.