Review of Violet Oon: Peranakan fare @Ion

Here’s my review of Violet Oon – Ion Orchard outlet. Came here with the family for lunch, so here’s the pictures, thoughts and reviews.

Update: for my SECOND review of Violet Oon, check out this post right here!

Review of Violet Oon

Violet Oon is a local chain of restaurants that carries Nyona, Chinese, Malay, and Indian cuisines. The menu aims to represent the local Singapore food scene, and have diners enjoy the meals in a high-end or ‘atas’ (according to locals) setting.

There are three main locations in Singapore: at Ion, Jewel, and the National Gallery.

This review of Violet Oon is from the flagship store at Ion orchard.

Entrance of Violet Oon Singapore at Ion

Cakes on the side

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.

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

For more information on the benefits of the Amex Platinum Charge card, check out the post below:

https://happyhighlife.com/platinum-charge-card-by-american-express-latest-summary-of-amex-benefits-as-of-late-2021/

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.

Appetizers

Don’t know where to start? There’s the most kid-friendly and idiot-proof item on the menu: fries.

It is served with the best dip ever: Makassar. A combination of chilli and creamy garlic, this is easily one of the best dips I’ve had with fries. 

Shoestring Fries with Makassar Aioli Dip

Tauhu Goreng

Local and Nyona Mains

The aroma of local spices permeated the air.

Nyona and local mains

Beef Rendang

Roti prata – also a real hit with the kids

I do recommend taking curry / sauce-heavy dishes with rice or roti prata – somehow the dishes feel so much more satisfying when paired with carbs. 

Sambal Eggplant

Hainanese Pork Chop

Beef hor fun

Dessert

With numerous dessert items to choose from (think Gula Melaka cake and Horlics cake!), we struggled a little with deciding on which dessert to go with, but eventually settled on the Mango Calamansi Tart. 

Mango Calamansi Tart

Thick layer of light flambéed meringue

Overall thoughts

If you love nyona / local fare, and want someplace a little more upscale and fancy, this review of Violet Oon declares this place as perfect for that.

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.

The staff are very attentive and kind. Those that spoke with us, are intimately familiar with the menu, and keen to make recommendations according to the customers’ preferences.

Thoroughly enjoyable, unique, and welcoming, I’m definitely going to be back again.

(Plus, I still have another S$50 voucher to use at Violet Oon. Stay tuned).

Update December 2022: I did go back! Click here to read my SECOND review of Violet Oon.

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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