Celebratory flavours

When it comes to festivities, the more, the merrier. That is why Deli Hub, the Halal catering arm of local catering giant Neo Group, is serving up “Singapore’s largest-ever nasi ambeng” straight to your home — when it comes to serving a party, the bigger, the better.

Breaking fast has never been easier, as the Giant Nasi Ambeng (cover image) allows everyone to gather over a hearty meal with only the best ingredients. Once devoured, the plate is for you to keep, with no collection required. Featuring only the best traditional ingredients, this humongous Nasi Ambeng brings the best Malay and Javanese delicacies in one gigantic platter that comes together in a vibrant spectacle.

Look forward to feasting on fragrant Blue Pea Rice surrounded by a sea of meticulously cooked sides such as golden brown Begedils, punchy Udang Sambal (prawn), fragrant Sambal Long Bean & Tempeh, refreshing Achar, Sambal Eggs, perfectly grilled Chicken Satays, crispy Anchovies, Peanuts, and Keropok, tender Beef Rendang, succulent Fried Chicken Wings, and topped off with aromatic Sambal Chilli.

The Giant Nasi Ambeng ($488) is served on a giant plate over 28 inches, or 70cm wide. While the menu says that it is good for up to 15 people, Options had the opportunity to try this dish, and unless all 15 pax are large eaters, this can easily feed about 20.

See also: Beer is flowing in the East

Every dish on the platter was succulent and complemented one another. It was indeed a perfect dish for a party and to get everyone to gather around to catch up and spend time together.

The Giant Nasi Ambeng is available until April 30. For smaller parties, the “Classic” ($128) portion is good for up to four (available for delivery with a minimum of two sets). Order at www.delihub.com.sg.

See also: Old Chang Kee: A snack stock too tasty to ignore

Peppermint @ Parkroyal Collection Marina Bay

This Ramadan, enjoy the flavours of trueblue Peranakan cuisine at Peppermint’s all-you-can-eat-buffet, with its first collaboration with one-Michelin-starred Auntie Gaik Lean’s Old School Eatery from Penang, Malaysia (from $68++ for adults).

From now till April 30, Peppermint’s chef de cuisine Leon Yee is joining hands with chef-owner Beh Gaik Lean of Auntie Gaik Lean’s Old School Eatery to introduce a selection of heritage Peranakan dishes as prepared and enjoyed in Penang. After decades of perfecting and preserving Nyonya recipes and cuisine, Beh is proud to share a slice of it with Singapore in dishes like her signature Brinjal Sambal (eggplant stir-fried in shrimp belacan sambal), Egg Belanda (sweet and sour egg in tamarind sauce) and Kerabu Kacang Botol (four-angled bean salad). She will also serve up Fish Curry Tumis (hot and sour fish curry) and fragrant Assam Prawns (prawns stir-fried in tamarind paste) that are perfect to complement her Nasi Ulam (steamed herbed rice with ulam).

Bolder flavours are served in meat dishes like Curry Kapitan (Captain’s chicken curry in coconut milk with potatoes) and Beef Rendang (spiced beef in caramelised coconut curry). Dessert sweetens the whole affair with Pulut Hitam with Fresh Santan (black glutinous rice porridge with coconut milk) and Ubi Kayu with Gula Melaka (poached sweet potato in Gula Melaka treacle).

For more lifestyle, arts and fashion trends, click here for Options Section

Tok Tok Indonesian Restaurant

Getting in on the Ramadan mood is Tok Tok Indonesian Restaurant, which is adding to the celebration with an extravagant twist on the Lontong Istimewa ($88) — the addition of a whole lobster! This is available from now till May 8.

Bring your friends and family to enjoy to the celebratory flavours of this Indonesian-style rice cake dish served aplenty during the festive season. The rice cake is steamed, divided into bite-sized chunks and served with indulgent meats and seafood. It borrows more flavour from complementary dishes like the well-seasoned and steamed bamboo lobster, slow-cooked Javanese beef and curry chicken stew.

The finishing frills come in fried hardboiled eggs, rich coconut labu Siam (chayote) base curry, young jackfruit, long beans, prawn crackers and signature homemade sambal. Mix it all up and experience explosions of flavours in each mouthful, sure to fulfil the cravings of even the most discerning spice lovers this Ramadan and Hari Raya.

Apart from this indulgent dish, check out other signatures from the menu, including Soto Betawi ($13.80) and Jakarta-style aromatic beef soup. Keeping true to the recipe, the beef broth is simmered for a few hours with a blend of Javanese spices. Also not to be missed is the Balinese Ayam Bakar Betutu ($29.80), featuring chicken first rubbed with a traditional genap paste of 16 Balinese spices and marinated for half an hour before cooked sous vide in cassava leaves and grilled.

Rempapa

For a limited time during the Hari Raya period (April 21–23), Rempapa is celebrating the festivities with five special dishes created by vhef Damian D’Silva and head chef Alan Chan. The line-up features traditional Malay dishes that draw on the fond food memories both chefs have of the occasion.

Take a bite off the Serunding ($8), a side dish to accompany rice. A touch of tamarind is mixed into caramelised grated coconut for Rempapa’s version. The Sambal Goreng ($26), or fried chilli paste, adds a good spicy heat to your meal. At Rempapa, the fragrant chilli paste includes vegetables, tempeh, fried bean curd and prawns.

There’s the Ayam Masak Merah ($38) for meaty accompaniments, which is cooked in enriched tomato sauce and an aromatic mix of herbs and spices until the flavour permeates the meat. The Beef Cheek Rendang ($46) follows a recipe from D’Silva’s grandad — expect fork-tender and juicy meat that is best paired with some Serunding and Ketupat ($6 per portion)

After all the feasting, quench your thirst with the sweet childhood favourite — Bandung Chin Chow ($8).

Note that although the Ramadan menu is pork-free, Rempapa is not a Halal restaurant.