Ellenborough Market Cafe review: Peranakan buffet

Ellenborough Market Cafe

Ellenborough Market Cafe is a dining establishment at Paradox Singapore Merchant court hotel, located near the banks of the Singapore river.

Ellenborough Market Cafe

With a seating capacity of 250 guests, the inside feels massive. 

Seating Area

A former colleague of mine had planned to meet up with me for some long overdue catch up. She loved Peranakan food and asked me for a recommendation. So Ellenborough Market Cafe, which does Peranakan classics alongside some international options, was it.

I love the ceiling

American Express: Love Dining

Yes, I’ll admit, I recommended this place to my friend because – who doesn’t love a huge discount? I told her about my American Express’ Love Dining benefits, a huge perk that comes with ownership of the American Express Platinum Charge Card. 

With two adults, we had a sweet deal of 50% off when we dined in.

Inspired by this post and want to apply for an American Express credit card? Apply through one of my referral links and receive either bonus Membership Rewards points or statement credit:

• The Platinum Charge Card: Use this referral link and receive up to S$100 statement credits and 100,000 airmiles (in the form of 160,000 Membership Rewards points) when you apply and minimum spend criteria is met.
• The American Express Platinum Card: Use this referral link and receive up to S$250 statement credits when you apply and minimum spend criteria is met.
• American Express Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Ascend Credit Card: Use this referral link and receive up to 40, 000 Krisflyer miles and S$50 statement credits when you apply and minimum spend criteria is met. 

Disclaimer: the views and opinions expressed on this page are that of Happy High Life and may not necessarily reflect the position of American Express. Happy High Life is not responsible for any decisions made by readers. The terms and conditions for each credit card's application and usage may be subject to change by American Express. Therefore, readers are recommended to check any matters with American Express or its partners; the list of all benefits of the Platinum Charge Card can be found here.

Pernakan Buffet

Ellenborough Market Cafe is most famous for their Peranakan options – though the fare has other local an international options.

The Spread

Lets hit the buffet

Starters: International

Seasoned buffet goers will know that “International” section really just means Not Traditionally Local. Even if said food item is so popular that it can be practically considered as such.

For example, every Singaporean knows that hotel buffet die also MUST have a seafood on ice and sushi section.

Starters

Even if it’s a tiny Japanese section, it still counts. Plus, sashimi is a perennial favourite.

Sashimi

Though, I gotta admit, the fresh seafood here ain’t bad.

Seafood on Ice

Bonus: the oysters are pretty large here. Yums.

Oysters

Another Not Traditionally Local but widely eaten category of foods: salad. Where one strives to be healthy by eating all the colours of the rainbow.

The most colourful area in the whole buffet

And of course, there was bread.

Mmm, carbs

Starters: Peranakan / Local

At a Peranakan buffet, Kueh Pie Ti is a true classic – this area was hugely popular, so we rushed in when no one was crowding around here.

Kueh Pie Ti section

Assembled

And, for the local counterpart to the salad section, there’s the DIY (do it yourself) Rojak bar.

DIY Rojak

It was delightful – there were a couple of ready-made pernakan and western salads as well, and assuming that one enjoys salad, they all looked equally good.

Mix of premade salads and vegetables

Mains of all sorts

When I say that there is a LOT of food here, I wasn’t kidding. Never in my life, have I seen such a huge Peranakan / local spread.

One of the many sections

I was surprised at how busy the laksa station was… and then you go up close and realise, that the laksa here comes with prawns.

Laksa station. Spot the prawns on the top left and sambal on the bottom left.

These prawns definitely weren’t small. Laksa itself was awesome – rich, creamy, spicy, and super comforting.

With Large Prawn

Maybe I’m biased because I do love spicy food (and the more spicy the better), but the Ma La Fish here is DA BOMB. Super crispy and chilli-hot with just the right amount of chilli oil and fish-spiced all around. I had a shameful amount of this.

Ma La Fish

My dining companion loved the shaved meat / kebab section.

Literal meat on a stick

And the flavouring options…

Chillies, Spices, Herbs, Toppings… of all sorts.

I tried one of these myself – and wow was it good; tenderly roasted meat over pita and flavoured at your own will. A word of caution, don’t be kiasu and try every single spice. Stick with what you typically enjoy. Take the idiot-proof options. 

Carving station: Chicken Shawarma

And the variety of hot dishes – I honestly recommend taking a look all around first at least once before getting food here – there will always be something better to eat.

Left to right: Seafood Pesto Pasta, Beef Bolognese Pasta, Roasted Chicken with Homemade Sauce, Tuscan Beef Stew, Roasted Potatoes

Left to Right: Nyona Chap Chye, Beef Rendang, Ayam Buah Keluak, Babi Tau Yu

Left to right: Asian Greens in Oyster sauce, Work Fried Pork Belly in Spicy Dark Sauce, Chilli Crab

I got a plate (or rather, a few plates) in an attempt to try everything. Unhelpfully, I declare that everything’s tasty.

With Blue Pea rice. And that big slab of meat at the bottom – Ma La Fish 🙂

At this point, finger food, or rather, munchies, feel almost like an afterthought, which is a pity because on their own, they looked absolutely tempting.

Left to right: Spicy Pork, Grilled Chicken, Grilled Prawns, Chicken Karaage, Potato Croquette

Need to save stomach space, because there is a very delectable spread of desserts.

Desserts

This is one place that… if one decides to forgo all other food and head directly for desserts and dessert only, that ain’t a bad decision.

So very pretty

This is my personal opinion – skip the western style desserts (unless you REALLY want chocolate fondue).

Chocolate Fondue Station

Or at most, grab just a bit – I know how tempting it is.

So hard to resist. I know.

Because what we’re REALLY here for, is the awesome Peranakan / Local stuff. 

I think my eyes bugged out at this point.

Left to Right: Salted Caramel Choux Puff, Mango Mousse, Coconut Cake, Coconut Creme Brulee, Jackfruit Financier, Citrius Mousse

Close-ups because they looked so good.

Left side

Not to forget, cookies, local malay kuih, and dessert fondue.

Right side

Nyona Kuih lovers – don’t miss the assortment here, along with the Ice Kacang (shaved ice) plus condiments.

Nyona Kuih and Ice Kacang

And OMG – the DURIAN PENGAT!!! I love durian, I know people either love or hate it, but if you love it, this is a MUST EAT. 

It’s very comparable to the one at the Asian Market Cafe buffet, just as flavourful and satisfying. 

Durian Pengat

Special shoutout to the ‘soupy’ type desserts here.

Left to right: Snow Fungus Papaya and Nyona Burbur Cha Cha

Green Bean Soup and Mix Bean Sweet Soup (more like red bean)

We had so much dessert… honestly wishing for more stomach space, a bigger appetite, and faster mentabolism.

Burbur Cha Cha and Assortment of Dessert

Overall – the food here was wonderful. It is UNIQUE here –  in the sense that one doesn’t always come across a Peranakan themed buffet (FYI – that is non-halal; this place does serve pork).

Durian Pengat and Snow Fungus Papaya

For those who need a halal option, the Asian Market Cafe is a great alternative. Another unique place I recently went is CLOVE, the swiss cheese-themed buffet – so both these places, along with Ellenborough Market Cafe, have good quality buffets that are sure to please a crowd. 

For here, 100% satisfied today, and 10/10 would absolutely return again. 

American Express Platinum Charge Card (Image source: American Express)

Inspired by this post and want to apply for an American Express credit card? Apply through one of my referral links and receive either bonus Membership Rewards points or statement credit:

• The Platinum Charge Card: Use this referral link and receive up to S$100 statement credits and 100,000 airmiles (in the form of 160,000 Membership Rewards points) when you apply and minimum spend criteria is met.
• The American Express Platinum Card: Use this referral link and receive up to S$250 statement credits when you apply and minimum spend criteria is met.
• American Express Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Ascend Credit Card: Use this referral link and receive up to 40, 000 Krisflyer miles and S$50 statement credits when you apply and minimum spend criteria is met. 

Disclaimer: the views and opinions expressed on this page are that of Happy High Life and may not necessarily reflect the position of American Express. Happy High Life is not responsible for any decisions made by readers. The terms and conditions for each credit card's application and usage may be subject to change by American Express. Therefore, readers are recommended to check any matters with American Express or its partners; the list of all benefits of the Platinum Charge Card can be found here.

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