Violet Oon: Peranakan / local food at Ion Orchard

Violet Oon: this is my second review of this Peranakan / local dining establishment. For my previous review, written almost 8-9 months ago, check out this other post right here.

Violet Oon

Love a combination of Nyona, Chinese, Malay, and Indian cuisines? Violet Oon Singapore is a local chain of restaurants that carries all of that.

Uniquely Singaporean, one of Violet Oon’s selling points is that diners can enjoy the local Singaporean food scene – BUT in a more elegant and high-end setting.

Within Singapore, there are three main restaurants: at Ion, Jewel, and the National Gallery.

This visitation features my review from the flagship store at Ion Orchard.

Restaurant @ Ion Orchard

A close friend and I decided to dine in over a short catch-up lunch.

The entrance to Violet Oon at Ion Orchard resembles a welcoming traditional Peranakan home, but with an additional touch of elegance.

Entrance

Seating Area

Assortment of desserts such as: Sugee cake, Mango calamansi tart, Horlicks cake

American Express S$50 Voucher

With the American Express Platinum Charge card, every year, upon payment of the annual fee, American Express sends card holders a lovely stack of vouchers, and two pieces of S$50 Violet Oon vouchers are among the stack.

Note: however that this voucher would be discontinued in in the future. While the reasons are unclear, Violet Oon is currently undergoing some legal battles. Again, whether this is related to the cessation of the Amex voucher or not is unknown – its all rumours and speculation. 

Violet Oon S$50 voucher (x2 per Amex Platinum Charge Card Member)

There’s no minimum spend required. However, diners can only use a maximum of ONE voucher per visit. 

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$900 statement credits and Samsonite Choca Spinner 68/25 (worth S$700) when you apply and minimum spend criteria is met.
• The American Express Platinum Card: Use this referral link and receive up to S$350 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 38, 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.

Starters

A highly recommended starter is the Kuay Pie Tee (Or Kueh Pie Ti? I guess it depends on who’s the Hokkien-English translator).

According to the menu, this is a “julienned bamboo shoot and turnip poached in a prawn bisque and served in a deep fried “top hat” cup. Topped with prawn, chilli sauce and a sweet fruit sauce.”

Kuay Pie Tee / Kueh Pie Ti  (spelling is disputable/ phonetic)

Close Up

How do they pull it off? I asked the server, who declined to comment. Guess the secret remains a mystery.

Main Dishes

Food was served after a short wait, and oh my gosh, the aroma of laksa spices could not be ignored.

Dry Laksa

Violet Oon goes against this tradition by making the Laksa a dry version, while maintaining all its spicy coconut goodness. Here, fresh rice noodle is tossed in the signature house’s laksa gravy, topped with prawn, tau pok, and bean sprouts, and curry leaves.

With a generous amount of prawns

For me, I had ordered the Club Sandwich with Island Spread and Steak Fries. 

Club Sandwich with Island Spread and Steak Fries

I’m seriously glad that this is held together with a paper wrapping – ridiculously huge bites were required to devour the super thick sandwich. Super prone to mess/accidents – but also super good. 

a VERY well-filled AND filling sandwich

As if the both of us didn’t eat enough, we also ordered a fish curry dish to share between us.

Fish Curry with Roti Jala

Spicy Fish

First, drown roti in curry.

Overall thoughts

It so happens that all the 3 main dishes we tried today (Dry Laksa, Club Sandwich, Fish Curry) were all on the heavier side. My friend and I definitely left that place sleepy post-lunch.

Nevertheless, awesome quality as far as Pernakan / Local care goes. 

I’ve written this before in my previous Violet Oon review, but i think it is worth mentioning again:

“Usually, the stereotype is that local food tends to be served in low-brow areas (e.g. hawkers, food court, neighbourhood places), but Violet Oon has shown that there can be a touch of luxury added in to local cuisine. Which is really refreshing to see – sometimes the perception is that only European / Japanese / Chinese food in hotels are considered upscale, which honestly couldn’t be further from the truth.

Thoroughly enjoyable, unique, and welcoming, I’m definitely going to be back 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$900 statement credits and Samsonite Choca Spinner 68/25 (worth S$700) when you apply and minimum spend criteria is met.
• The American Express Platinum Card: Use this referral link and receive up to S$350 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 38, 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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