The holy month of Ramadan falls in the period of 13 April to 12 May this year for those residing in Singapore, and during this time of Ramadan fasting, Muslims can eat any time between iftar (the sunset meal) and suhoor (the pre-dawn meal). Iftar in particular is a joyous occasion usually spent with family and friends – it’s a celebratory time that Muslims look forward to as they can break fast and replenish their energy levels after abstaining from food and drink for a whole day.
While it will be a relatively muted affair this year due to the social distancing measures in place, you can still indulge in a bevy of delicious Ramadan dinner sets and scrumptious halal buffet spreads with a small group of loved ones that will end your day on a satisfying note. Below are a few options for a hearty treat.
1. Atrium Restaurant at Holiday Inn Singapore Atrium
Besides perennial favourites such as beef rendang, gado-gado (Indonesian salad comprising blanched vegetables and fried beancurd drenched in peanut sauce), ayam masak merah (chicken cooked with dried chilli sambal) and assam fish, diners will get an additional treat of tucking into halal-certified Korean cuisine such as pajeon (green onion pancake), beef bulgogi, kimchi fried rice, and squid cooked in tteokbokki sauce. Available from 12 April to 16 May 2021, you can also dine in the comfort of your home with their range of takeaways that include a Nasi Ambang for two that comprises nasi kuning (rice cooked with coconut and turmeric), mutton rendang, sambal long beans, masam manis (sweet and sour sauce) fish fillet, sotong bakar (barbecued squid), ayam goreng kunyit (fried turmeric chicken) and pisang pengat (coconut banana soup).
2. Kintamani Indonesian Restaurant
The halal-certified restaurant at Furama RiverFront is offering a toothsome buffet feast of classic Indonesian dishes for Ramadan. From 12 April to 16 May 2021, indulge in unlimited servings of familiar favourites such as the tender Rendang Daging Sapi (beef chunks simmered in spices and coconut); the piquant Ayam Panggang Woku (chicken baked in a bold green chilli concoction) and crispy Udang Bijirin (deep-fried cereal butter tiger prawns). Meat lovers will enjoy the Peha Kaki Kambing (roasted leg of lamb served with chef’s special sauce). What’s more, each table will receive a complimentary serving of Ikan Bakar Dabu Dabu (Grilled Golden Pomfret with Kintamani Sauce) and Ketam Sambal (Chilli Crab) during lunch and dinner respectively. No buffet is complete without dessert, so don’t miss the rich Pulut Durian Pengat (durian paste with glutinous rice) and Agar-Agar Gula Melaka (Gula Melaka Pudding). Takeaways are available in the form of its Minangkabau and Nusantura Sharing Sets – good for four or six people – or ala carte dishes.
3. Sama Sama Restaurant
Feast on delicious Ramadan classics from Indonesia with Sama Sama’s Ramadan Set Menu of six mains, an appetiser and a dessert. Available from 13 April to 16 May 2021 at the Jewel Changi Airport eatery, whet your appetite with the pan-fried classic Indonesian fritter Bakwan Udang that comes with a juicy tiger prawn before tucking into delights such as Opor Ayam, a braised chicken thigh curry in a creamy, robust coconut sauce cooked with Indonesian spices; Gudeg Nangka, a traditional Javanese dish where young unripe jackfruit is stewed overnight and served with hard boiled eggs and tofu; and Semur Jawa Daging, fork-tender grain-fed beef stew cooked with fresh tomatoes, shallots, garlic, red chili and sweet soy sauce. Finish with the indulgent Indonesian dessert soup Kolak Pisang that comprises bananas boiled in coconut milk, Javanese palm sugar and pearl sago.
4. Carousel at Royal Plaza on Scotts
The hotel’s signature buffet restaurant is offering a whole host of Asian delights for Ramadan. Available from 12 April to 12 May 2021, there will be more than 100 dishes available in an a la carte buffet style. Standouts include the mouthwatering Nasi Ambeng (comprising a platter heaped with dishes such as beef rendang, deep-fried turmeric chicken, begedil (fried potato patty), chilli ikan cantik, sambal goreng and butterfly pea rice) and Lobster Mee Soto (where the crustacean is served with yellow noodles in turmeric chicken broth and begedil). Other local favourites include Singapore Rojak, gado-gado, chicken and mutton satay as well as traditional nonya kuehs. Desserts are not to be missed, especially the creamy Chendol Delice topped with red beans, Gula Melaka Crème Brûlée and the oh-so-addictive Durian Pengat. The pastry chef has also created Bandung Ice-cream with selasih (basil seeds) to accompany the sweet and fluffy Pandan Waffle just for the Ramadan menu.
5. PastaMania
For more casual fusion fare, head to PastaMania. A Family Feast bundle is available at the homegrown Italian chain, and each feast comprises four pastas with selections from its Aglio, Creamy and Tomato family (worth up to S$12.90 each), a choice of four appetisers such as calamari, honey garlic chicken or waffle potato with cheese, and four soft drinks. Available from 12 April to 30 May 2021, it can be ordered both for dining in and takeaway. The meal will go to a good cause too – PastaMania is donating a plate of pasta worth up to S$11.90 with every Family Feast bundle sold, and these will go to needy Muslim families in Singapore in collaboration with non-profit organisation Badan Agama dan Pelajaran Radin Mas (BAPA). You can also expect two new additions to its menu – the Chicken Rendang Pasta with creamy, fragrant rendang sauce loaded with tender chicken and a Mediterranean vegetable mix; and the tangy Tandoori Chicken Pizza with a mango chutney sauce base that’s topped with tandoori spiced chicken, sliced onions and mozzarella, and drizzled with cucumber raita.
6. Swensen’s
For a local twist on your favourite Impossible Burger, head to casual-dining chain Swensen’s for their Ramly-style Bagus Burger, available until 31 May 2021. The burger comprises a juicy Impossible patty wrapped in an omelette that is topped with crispy fried onions and drizzled with a sweet and tangy homemade Swensen’s Bagus sauce. Sandwiched between buttery brioche buns, the dish is served with fries and coleslaw. End your meal with a Goreng Pisang Split – a variation of its popular Banana Split sundae – featuring the fried banana snack in place of the usual fresh bananas. The goreng pisang sandwiches the iconic ice cream trio of Chocoholic, Vanilla and Strawberry and is finished with toppings of chocolate fudge, strawberry, pineapple and chopped almonds. The dishes are also available in a meal for two that comes with two cups of soft drinks and a side of your choice (U.S. fries – cone, calamari rings, mozzarella cheese sticks or buckaroo wings).
Please check the establishments’ respective websites for opening hours before visiting, and remember to adhere to safe-distancing measures while out and about.
SEE ALSO: 5 best halal hawker stalls in Singapore you have to try
