Candlenut

Candlenut is the world’s first Michelin-starred Peranakan restaurant. For more than a decade, the restaurant has celebrated a cuisine that’s rooted in family traditions passed down through generations. Chef-owner Malcolm Lee leads the kitchen, blending the soul of authentic Straits-Chinese cuisine with a contemporary sensibility. Here, meals are communal, conversations flow, and the team welcomes every guest with heartfelt hospitality.

Address

17A Dempsey Road
Singapore 249676

+65 8121 0176 Email Us

Opening hours

Lunch:
Mon to Sun
12pm to 3pm

Dinner:
Mon to Sun, Eve of Public Holidays
6pm to 10pm

“This is not a cuisine you rush, it takes days of meticulous preparation and precision. One misstep can undo all the work.”

Chef’s Mum’s Chicken Curry

Peranakan Plates, Redefined

At the heart of Peranakan cuisine — a melting pot of bold flavours, aromatic Malay and Indonesian spices, and Chinese culinary traditions — is a deep connection to family cooking bounded by heritage and history. Drawing inspiration from heirloom recipes that have endured time, Malcolm Lee creates a menu that resonates with today’s diners while retaining the flavours that define Peranakan cuisine.

Wing Bean Salad

Candlenut Blue Swimmer Crab Curry

Aunt Caroline’s Babi Buah Keluak

Candlenut ‘Ah-ma-kase’ snacks

Kueh Salat

“Extending our creativity beyond the table by reimagining Peranakan culture into pieces for gifting and everyday living.”

Bring Home a Piece of Candlenut

Candlenut is not just a place for dining but a space for inspiration. Its approach, just like the cuisine, is very much tied to family and togetherness. Discover a curated collection of merchandise, serving as a vessel to share the Peranakan culture beyond the table. Created in collaboration with designers and artisans, each piece showcases the heritage through intricate artistry, design, and style in everyday objects that guests can bring home.

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“Contrary to what many believe, Peranakan food is a ‘living cuisine’ that continues to evolve.”

Malcolm Lee

Chef-owner of Candlenut

A fourth-generation Peranakan, Malcolm Lee began his culinary education in Singapore at At-Sunrice GlobalChef Academy where he was exposed to diverse cuisines. The experience sparked a passion to explore his own roots. Candlenut is the result of that personal pursuit, a space to rediscover and reconnect with his heritage and culture.

A Space For Your Story

The 90-seat restaurant — designed by Italian architect Paola Navone of OTTO Studio — combines modern interiors with intricate Peranakan touches, creating the perfect backdrop for private celebrations and corporate events.

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