Pandan Club, Chennai's Modern Peranakan restaurant. 'Peranakan' generally refers to a mix of Chinese and Malay/Indonesian heritage. Pandan Club introduces an enticing array of fusion Southeast Asian delicacies to the local dining scene. Celebrating the intricate tapestry of cultural influences and historical richness in the region, the Peranakan menu harmoniously blends flavours and spices, offering a unique fusion of Chinese, Malay, Eurasian, and Indian culinary traditions. Designed as an elegant fine-dining establishment suitable for families, friends, and corporate gatherings, Pandan Club caters to diverse palates with its thoughtfully curated dishes. Renowned chef and MasterChef Australia winner, Sashi Cheliah, lends his expertise to craft traditional Peranakan recipes into global gourmet delights, making this dining destination a must-visit. With his family roots stretching all the way back to Madurai, Sashi has his feet in several cultures simultaneously. Growing up in Singapore his upbringing was calm and very different from today. Singapore is home to primarily three communities, Indians, Malay and Chinese. The food reflects this as well.
The restaurant's presence in T. Nagar grants a rare opportunity, firstly, to savour Peranakan or Nyonya cuisine from Singapore and Malaysia, a distinct offering not often found even on extensive Pan-Asian menus and secondly, having a proud MasterChef Australia champion have his debut venture within the city. The menu, personally guided by Sashi and co-founder Manoj Padmanabhan, invites people to explore intriguing dishes like Kuch Pie Tee (Nyonya Pastry Cup) with radish fermented soy paste, cucumber and spring onion, and Ikan Bakar (Grilled Fish) with sambal and pickled shallots, which is very soft and juicy and a great option for starters. The fried chicken, both the Gaja’s Fried Chicken, which has a nice sour and spicy flavour to it and the Har Cheong Gai, which may smell a bit strange at first but every bite is umami-flavoured heaven. For mains, check out the Kambing Buah Keluak (Blacknut Lamb Curry) if you want to try something out of the ordinary, the fermented blacknut (buah keluak), often similar to Asian black truffles, contributes bold flavours with an intriguing sour-bitter profile. Prawn Laksa Curry (Nyonya Laksa Udang) is rich, creamy and packed with flavour if you want to go the seafood route that pairs excellently with the Jasmine Rice, or the Baba chicken curry, which tastes great with the Roti Jala. Don't miss out on the Roti Jala—a delicate coconut milk, turmeric, and egg-based netted crêpe, ideal for dipping into the chicken and lamb curry and Beef Rendang. If you want to go for vegetarian options, then the standout dish is the Nangka Buah Keluak (Bbacknut jackfruit curry), which beckons with its captivating depth of flavour, leaving an indelible impression. Noteworthy too is the Nasi Goreng Kampong (Village-Style Fried Rice), a delightful departure from the norm, elevated with Ikan Bilis (fried anchovies) and a choice of chicken or egg. The drinks are a must-try at Pandan Club. The Tebu Tebu, a sugarcane drink infused with yuzu, galangal and coriander is different and has a refined flavour profile. If your looking for something fizzy try the Litte Noyona, a litchi-based drink. They also have an assortment of craft beverages, including the popular Coconut and Pandan Margarita. As for dessert, the Singapore Ice Cream Sandwich featuring tri-coloured toasted milk bread filled with condensed milk ice cream and a touch of dense soy caramel, a must-try, and the Sinfully Chocolate.
The venue is cleverly divided into three distinct sections: a communal dining space with high tables around the cocktail bar, a comfortable banquette seating area adorned with lanterns, and a private dining area featuring classic Baba and Nyonya designs reminiscent of traditional Peranakan homes. The restaurant offers a skilful blend of Chinese, Malay, and Indian culinary influences, resulting in a delightful array of flavours that captivate and satisfy Indian taste buds. Inspired by Nyonya culinary roots that evolved from early Chinese settlers blending with Malaysian culture, Peranakan cuisine stands as a delicious testament to cultural fusion and is now available in Chennai to tempt local palates.
