SUKA MAKAN: BUMBU @ KANDAHAR STREET

We've been to Bumbu at Queen's Road, but this time it's the original restaurant at Kandahar Street, in the busy tourist district of Kampong Glam / Arab Street. It's located in a colonial era shophouse, and is filled with Peranakan antiques and furniture / fittings. The Straits Chinese food here is excellent, as to be expected, and it also depends on your company you keep too.

On this occasion, the event is the Resonant Connections (8-10 May 2026) convention organised by the Royal Musical Associations Southeast Asian Chapter held at the nearby Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts. The host is Monika Hennemann and her husband concert pianist Kenneth Hamilton, and the four tables located at the restaurant's second floor is filled with chatter and laughter, to be expected, unwinding after a long day's schedule of talks, lectures and symposia. I was involved in a lively discussion about Western opera in Singapore and Southeast Asia, chaired by Monika. 

A collection of wall-tiles, to be found
in facades of old historical shophouses.
The poster at top right is the reason why
Singapore is in the population pickle it is in today.

Enough of the serious stuff, and here are the photos of the food, which was enjoyed by all in attendance. Looking forward to the next occasion we come to Bumbu.

Just the starters, spring rolls, 
crackers and Ngoh Hiang

Seafood omelette

Vegetarian options:
Olive rice and vegetables

The best Tahu Telor,
tofu with fried egg white, in town!

For meat eaters,
Sweet and Sour Pork

Classic Beef Rendang

Coffee pork ribs

Dessert sweet sago

BUMBU

44 Kandahar Street

Singapore 198897

Tel: 6392-8628

Home | Bumbu Restaurant

SINGAPORE'S VINTAGE EATING PLACES: BUMBU @ FARRER / QUEENS ROAD

This restaurant is so near my home that I should be coming regularly. But not doing so has been my loss. Bumbu is a Peranakan restaurant that serves both Indonesian and Thai cuisine in a retro setting that takes you back to the 1960s and 70s, where you feast on comfort foods in the presence of doting grandparents. With its historical Peranakan / Straits Chinese decor, you feel you are not in Singapore but somewhere in Penang, Malacca, Medan or even old Phuket town. 

Bumbu's original restaurant is on Kandahar Street in Kampong Glam (Arab Street precinct), and this outlet on Queens Road, by Farrer Road, is its second restaurant. It is also my brother's favourite entertaining spot, and we have caught on this habit as well to the delight of our regular dining kaki Mrs Tan. Something familiar, like her mother's cooking, is always appreciated. The old furniture and fittings bring one back in time.

Bumbu's colourful historical menu.

Nostalgia is strong and so are the dishes, which carry the authentic flavour of spices without being cloying or overbearing. On this occasion, we opted for the Indonesian dishes, served with plain rice, which were both delicious and nutritious. 

Simple dishes like ngoh hiang with sweet sauce should not be dismissed, and the tahu telor (tofu with fried egg white) with kecap manis (Indonesian sweet sauce) is always savoury. We skipped the rendang but not the ayam buah keluak (chicken braised in buah keluak nut) which melted in the mouth and was never overdone. 

Greens are a must, so the sambal eng chai does the job, all this washed down with a hearty sup babi pongteh (minced pork ball soup). It can be assured that nothing is left over. For dessert, chendol with or without durian is a sinful indulgence.

Not quite a tok panjang (long table),
but that will do!

Did we also say that the service is prompt and attentive, with the staff always ready to please. This, the food, the decor and ambience are many reasons why we should be coming back again pretty soon. 

This looks like what you see
in a Peranakan museum.

Ceramic tiles you want to take home!

More retro exhibits.

BUMBU RESTAURANT

4 Queens Road, #02-101

Tel: 6479-4075

Nearest MRT: Farrer Road