Stepping into Great Nanyang Heritage Cafe 大南洋 on Craig Road at Tanjong Pagar feels like stepping back in time.
The ambiance oozes nostalgia, paying homage to the traditional kopitiams of old Malaysia and Singapore.
This may just remind you of the likes of The Hainan Story (more so especially the décor and menu design), Downstairs 楼下 and Chin Mee Chin.
I think there is always demand of enjoying local delights of reasonably good standard, in a comfortable air-conditioned place.
The other questions are, “How authentic” and “How much”?
By the way, this is a creation from Keith Kang who is the founder of Yang Ming Seafood known for its Lobster Chee Cheong Fun.
This is accordingly a three-year project, and the menu reflects a blend of the past and present.
Look out for some of the artefacts by the way, many of which are real old photos and items. Could make a nice cultural lessons for children (instead of the family swiping handphones throughout the meal).
Customers can expect the likes of timeless favourites such as Hainanese Chicken Cutlet ($15.90), Nasi Lemak Kukus ($8.90 onwards), and Dry Mee Siam ($8.90), each capturing the essence of the owner’s memories of childhood and passion for preserving cultural heritage.
The Signature Hainanese Chicken Cutlet ($15.90) is recommended, with special sauce infused with butter and fragrant pandan leaves.
There is also Nasi Lemak Kukus ($8.90 onwards) made from long-grain basmati rice, which can be paired with chicken berempah, curry chicken, sambal petai prawns, and rendang mutton.
For noodle lovers, the Dry Mee Siam ($8.90 onwards) is supposedly made with a secret sauce comprising of 13 herbs and spices which lends a punchy fragrance.
However, the Dry Mee Siam here fell slightly short of expectations. The comforting flavours and robustness one would expect from this classic dish were lacking.
Some reviews online even described the Dry Mee as “cold,” but in my experience, it was not exactly cold, but rather “not warm.”
This slight deviation from the desired temperature profile led to an underwhelming experience. The sambal chilli was tasty though.
I also had the Shredded Chicken Hor Fun ($8.90), which contained shredded chicken nestled among rice noodles.
However, it also tasted somewhat muted and diluted and could have benefitted from more pronounced flavors.
Particularly given that the cafe is operated by a zi char restaurant, one would expect more warm and strong flavours.
Unusually, the food arrived more quickly than the coffee drinks, something you may want to keep in mind when planning your meal here. Some operational hiccups, I guess.
I had the traditional Kaya Butter Toast ($2.50) which can be ordered in the “traditional” option for a crispier texture.
It tasted more ‘shiok’ with the handmade kaya and cold slab of butter.
The toast is also offered with thick toast ($2.70) or wholemeal bread ($3.00).
The décor is a reminiscent fusion of olden day kopitiams, transporting diners to a different era.
The vintage-inspired furnishings and the beautiful layout makes it quite a place to hang out, though stronger flavours in the food would have been more desirable.
Great Nanyang Heritage Cafe
5 Craig Road, Singapore 089665 (Tanjong Pagar MRT)
Opening Hours: 7:30am – 9pm (Mon – Sun), Last orders 8:30pm
Other Related Entries
The Hainan Story (Hillion Mall)
Downstairs 楼下 (Suntec City)
Chin Mee Chin (Katong)
Hawkers’ Street (ION Orchard)
The Coconut Club (Beach Road)
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