SGDY: Peranakan - East Coast

So authentic place right? We were so unsatisfied with the food we had at HK Cafe that we adjourn to this... looks more authentic.

We order the 1 person set meal, @$6 per set, Ayam Buah Kelauk and Beef Rendang... it was not too bad! The Buah Kelauk serving was generous... we had 3 huge ones. Interesting facts about the Buah Kelauk.

This is undeniably, ambrosia among Nonya dishes, but like the durian it calls for an acquired taste. To the uninitiated, buah keluak is a black or dark brown nut from Indonesia about the size and shape of a flattened golf ball. Also, in shape and appearance the buah keluak closely resembles the brazil nut.

Before cooking, the contents of the nuts are white in colour. Good nuts after cooking, should be richly black and oily, with the contents variously described as "opium" or "soft tar". The nuts come from the Pangium edule or "Kepayang" tree, which grows wild in Indonesia and parts of Malaysia.

Buah Keluak has another side which few people know, concerning its darker, lethal aspect. The crushed raw seeds can be used as a poison to kill fish, insects, animal ticks ...... or your favourite enemy, whichever suits your whim. This is because the raw seeds contain a glucoside which readily yields prussic acid, which fortunately can be extracted simply by washing with water. The dusty greyish seeds that you get at the market, are imported from Indonesia where they have already been treated to remove the poisonous effects by being thouroughly washed and boiled, then buried in the ground with layers of ash, banana leaves, and earth for 40 days. However, to be safe, it is recommended that before cooking, you soak the buah keluak over-night in a bowl of water !!!

Founded over 40 years ago, Kim Choo Kueh Chang is where patrons can savour its famous sweet rice dumplings as well as learn the art of wrapping Nonya dumplings at organised demonstrations and live classes throughout the day.