Review: Violet Oon Afternoon Tea
As someone who absolutely loves high tea, I was delighted to know that Singapore really embraces the tradition. This makes complete sense considering Singapore was a former British colony. Although there are many amazing places to enjoy high tea in this city state one of my favorites is Violet Oon. Even before I had moved to Singapore I had heard of this legendary Peranakan restaurant and was excited to try it!
Peranakan culture is a mix between Straits Chinese, Malay, Indian, and Indonesian traditions. The Peranakan community also boasts an absolutely delicious cuisine as well. Although you need to see for yourself, generally the food resembles a mixture between Malay, Indonesian and Chinese food with lots of spices and rich sauces. Singapore is one of the best places to try this special cuisine. What I love about Violet Oon’s high tea is that it incorporates elements of deeply traditional Straits flavor and traditional high tea (e.g. savory and sweet finger foods). Sometimes the usual sandwiches and petit fours can get a bit old and a bit of surprise is good!
Violet Oon has three locations in Singapore, the one at the National Gallery being particularly popular. However, the decor in all three are art deco style and so tasteful. Try and make a reservation, particularly on weekends, as it can get busy. There is a special afternoon tea menu (listed below) at S$56 for two people, which is a great deal. You can also choose to visit Violet Oon for a standard lunch or dinner – both menus are fantastic.
Each tea set comes with coffee or tea – perfect for cleaning the palette to fully appreciate the nuances of the flavor. As you can see, the finger foods come in a classic three tier – the top being sweet and the following two savory. I suggest you start in the middle, make your way down, and finish with the desserts up top. Afternoon tea is absolutely the perfect activity for catching up with your girlfriends in a leisurely way. Given the interesting flavors on the menu the finger foods also make for great conversation!
If you have managed to try some Peranakan food beforehand (or Malay/Indonesian cuisine) you may recognize some elements. Some key food items include – otak (fishcakes), sambal (Indonesian chili sauce with shrimp paste), kueh pie tee (adorable little “top hat” cup filled with sliced vegetables and prawn), and various types of kueh (rice cakes). If you have not tried any of these classic dishes this is the perfect opportunity to discover one bite at a time. Luckily I had the company of my lovely friend who is from Indonesia and knows her stuff!
All in all, high tea at Violet Oon is to be savored and is something very special, particularly if you are looking for afternoon tea with a twist! If you haven’t yet tried Peranakan food or are craving a lazy Sunday afternoon activity this is the perfect experience. Service, food, and ambiance are all top notch here. Let me know if you have another spot in Singapore with excellent high tea!
If you are every bit as obsessed with tea as I am check out my post on best places to have tea in Singapore! Also for you bookworms out there, here is a review of the best book on tea and travel out there, “Infused: Travels in Tea,” which will take you around the world from the posh tearoom at Claridges in London to the sumptuous tea farms in Malawi!