Little Social SG
Ikan Balado
Verdict: Run
Type: Peranakan
Location: Geylang, Singapore
Address: 9 Lor 24A Geylang, Singapore 398533
In our latest culinary adventure, we had the pleasure of dining at Little Social SG, a private home dining experience that immerses you in the rich, flavourful heritage of Peranakan cuisine. Beyond the meal, it felt like a journey through time and culture, guided by the passionate host, Danial. His mission? To celebrate his family’s Peranakan roots while giving the traditional fare a vibrant and modern twist. Here's our full experience, from food to ambiance, with every delightful detail in between.
Ornate details adorn the front of shophouses
Ambiance:
A Fusion of Heritage and Home
Stepping into Little Social SG felt like entering a cozy gallery of memories. Chinese-inspired elements intertwined with art deco touches, reflecting the same multicultural spirit as the food we were about to enjoy. Every detail, from heirloom tableware passed down through generations to playful decor, echoed Peranakan aesthetics—a blend of Chinese, Malay, and Western influences.
The intimate, home-based setting lent a personal and welcoming vibe, where every dish was an invitation to experience not just food, but also family stories. There was no pretension, just the sense of sharing—of culture, flavours, and heart.
The Kebaya Room - featuring the beautiful traditional Nyonya dress
The Grand Dining Room
Food:
Layers of Flavour, Hours of Craft
The meal at Little Social SG was an intricate dance between complex spices and comforting familiarity, prepared with meticulous care. Danial shared that Peranakan cooking is labor-intensive, with some dishes requiring hours of pounding spices and simmering meats—a dedication you could taste in every bite.
Beef Rendang: Simmered for hours, the beef shin absorbed a symphony of spices—lemongrass, cumin, coriander, and turmeric—resulting in melt-in-the-mouth tenderness. Each bite was deep, rich, and aromatic, with just the right hit of umami from carefully balanced tamarind peels and coconut milk.
Ikan Balado: This dish stood out with crispy red snapper fillet topped with a vibrant tomato-shrimp paste. Retaining the crunch even under the sauce was a marvel, making it the star dish for some at the table.
Sambal Udang Petai: Succulent prawns paired with petai beans and a fiery sambal, an old family recipe passed down from Danial's grandmother. This dish packed HEAT, but the punchy spice felt like a warm embrace rather than an assault.
Chap Chye: A drier, richer rendition of this classic vegetable stew with bean paste, cabbage, mushrooms, and black fungus. It had the heart of a home-cooked meal, evoking nostalgia with every bite.
Ayam Buah Keluak: A deeply soulful dish featuring braised chicken and pork ribs with buah keluak, or candlenut. This dish is known for its earthy, nutty flavors, and the gravy infused with the meats left us licking our spoons.
Nyonya Achar: The tangy pickled vegetables acted as the perfect palate cleanser, balancing out the bold richness of the other dishes.
Each dish reflected the hard work behind Peranakan cooking, where spices are the soul and the process is the art. The flavors were comforting yet surprising, with new notes revealing themselves in every bite.
Nyonya Chap Chye
Beef Rendang
Ayam Buah Keluak
Satay Babi Goreng
Sambal Udang
Sago Gula Melaka
Service:
Personal, Passionate, and Genuine
Dining at Little Social SG felt like being invited into an old friend’s home. Danial's enthusiasm for sharing his family’s history added a special layer to the meal. Through each dish, we got a glimpse into his heritage—stories of grandparents, matchmaking traditions, and the influence of his grandmother’s exceptional cooking.
He explained how Little Social started during the pandemic, fueled by nostalgia and a desire to keep Peranakan food alive for the next generation. This personal connection made every bite more meaningful, as though we were tasting not just the food, but Danial’s memories as well.
Gorgeous detailed dinnerware
Value for Money:
A Priceless Experience
Dining here goes beyond just paying for a meal—it’s an experience that blends culinary craftsmanship, history, and hospitality. The dishes, prepared with rare ingredients and painstaking effort, offer excellent value considering the labor involved. This isn't just a dinner; it’s a cultural immersion that would be hard to replicate in a restaurant setting.
Tassels and pillows on the Nyonya wedding bed
Luscious oasis with the tableside indoor pool
Final Verdict:
More Than Just a Meal
At Little Social SG, the food is as colourful as the heritage behind it, and the experience as warm as the stories told at the table. Every dish felt like a celebration of tradition, love, and craftsmanship. The flavours lingered long after the meal ended, just like the stories Danial shared with us.
We left not just satisfied, but enriched—grateful to have experienced a piece of Peranakan heritage firsthand. For those seeking a unique, intimate dining experience with food that feels both familiar and exotic, Little Social SG is not to be missed. We can’t wait to return to this little slice of Peranakan soul, where every dish tells a story.
Intimate family touches in the decor - Chef Danial's grandparents' wedding photo