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There are some meals that stay with you not just because of what is served on the table, but because of the people you share them with.
I recently visited Violet Oon Singapore at ION Orchard for dinner with my daughter and my best friend, who had brought her daughter along too. Luckily, we were seated next to another close friend and her family whose daughter is the same age as ours. What started as a simple dinner quickly turned into a lively gathering catching up while our three girls happily bonded over food and conversations. It felt like a lovely way to celebrate Women’s Day. No elaborate plans, just good food, familiar faces and children enjoying themselves.
The evening also offered a chance to explore Violet Oon Singapore’s refreshed menu, which introduces several new dishes alongside returning favourites.
A menu that celebrates Singapore’s culinary heritage
From 1 March 2026, Violet Oon Singapore introduced new additions to its menu while bringing back some well-loved classics from its earlier days at ION Orchard. The dishes combine nostalgic Singapore café favourites with the restaurant’s signature Peranakan flavours.
The menu is designed with group dining in mind, making it well suited for families, friends and multi-generational gatherings. Some dishes offer bold Peranakan flavours while others lean into milder café-style comfort foods, which makes it easy for diners with different preferences to enjoy the meal together.
Menu highlights: Café classics return
One of the highlights is the Hainanese Pork Chop, a nostalgic reference to Singapore’s café culture which was shaped by British culinary influences and interpreted by Hainanese chefs.
The dish features deep-fried Kurobuta pork loin coated in a cream cracker batter and topped with a house-made tomato reduction. It is served with steak-cut fries and petit pois tossed with minced kale. The flavours are familiar and comforting, and the crisp pork makes it particularly satisfying.
Another returning favourite is the VO Shepherd’s Pie, a dish that has been associated with Violet Oon’s early days at Takashimaya Food Hall. Slow-braised minced meat is cooked in a rich savoury gravy, topped with buttery mashed potatoes and baked until golden.
Both dishes reflect the kind of nostalgic comfort food that many diners in Singapore recognise.
Peranakan flavours and new additions
Alongside the café classics, the menu also features dishes rooted in Peranakan culinary traditions.
One of the notable additions is Nyonya Mah Mee, a noodle dish wok-tossed with prawns, squid and pork in a rich broth. It is served with sambal belachan, crispy pork lard and a refreshing pineapple and cucumber salad known as Mah Mee Rojak. The combination brings together savoury, spicy and fresh elements that reflect the balance often found in Peranakan cuisine.
Other additions include Crispy Kurobuta Pork Fingerlings, which are marinated pork pieces deep-fried until crisp and served with Violet Oon’s signature chilli sauce, and Nasi Goreng Udang, a fragrant fried rice with prawns, egg and hae bee.
For diners looking for plant-based options, the Meatless Meatballs Rendang is another returning dish. It features walnut and cheese morsels braised with kaffir lime and bay leaves in a creamy coconut rendang sauce.
Together, these dishes create a menu that offers a mix of heritage flavours and familiar favourites.
A comfortable setting for relaxed dinners
The restaurant’s indoor veranda at ION Orchard offers a calm dining space above the busy Orchard Road area. The garden-inspired setting makes it well suited for relaxed meals and conversations.
During our visit, the atmosphere felt lively without being crowded. Families, couples and groups of friends were enjoying long dinners and catching up over shared dishes.
The girls at our table were just as enthusiastic about the meal as the adults. When children enjoy the food and the experience, it often makes the evening easier for everyone.
Desserts and take-home treats
The restaurant will soon introduce a dessert trolley featuring a selection of cakes for diners who want to end their meal on a sweet note. Next to the restaurant, the Violet Oon Singapore gift shop offers a range of gourmet products inspired by Chef Violet Oon’s recipes and family traditions. The selection includes signature cookies such as Peanut Cookies and Spice Island Ginger Cookies, as well as handcrafted jams, sambals and condiments packaged in Peranakan tile-inspired boxes.
Many diners enjoy browsing the shop after their meal and picking up something to bring home.
Planning your visit
Violet Oon Singapore has several locations across the city.
Violet Oon Singapore at ION Orchard
ION Orchard #04-12, 2 Orchard Turn, Singapore 238801
Lunch: 12.00pm – 3.00pm
High Tea: 3.00pm – 5.30pm
Dinner: 6.00pm – 10.00pm
Violet Oon Singapore at Dempsey Hill
7 Dempsey Rd, #01-05, Singapore 249671
Lunch: 12.00pm – 3.00pm
Dinner: 6.00pm – 11.00pm
National Kitchen by Violet Oon Singapore
National Gallery Singapore, 1 St Andrew’s Road #02-01
Lunch: 12.00pm – 3.00pm
Dinner: 6.00pm – 10.30pm
As the evening ended, the girls were still chatting and the adults were lingering over conversation. Sometimes the most memorable meals are the ones where everything simply comes together. Good food, a welcoming setting and the people you enjoy spending time with.
That dinner at Violet Oon Singapore felt exactly like that. To plan a trip with your loved ones, visit https://violetoon.com/.
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