It all started in 1980 when Lilian, armed with Peranakan recipes, opened her Nyonya eatery, Nonya Delicatessen, at Bukit Timah Plaza. This 46-year-old business remains strong to this day, with her son, Damian, and his wife taking over in 1997. On 1 Jan 2026, Lilian’s grandson, Daryl, 27, launched a brand-new food court concept, Nya Nya in Wisma Atria‘s Food Republic.
nya nya – front view
nya nya – family
Daryl, the second eldest son of the family, has roped in his 23-year-old brother, Daniel to run the business.
nya nya – kitchen action
Born into an F&B family, Daryl gradually found himself developing a fondness for food and wanting to continue what his parents and grandmother had built. From noodles and rice to desserts, cakes, and kueh, the menu updates classic Peranakan flavours while preserving the family legacy. Prices here are also the same as at their parents’ Bukit Timah eatery.
nya nya – mee siam
I’ve tried many Nyonya mee siam across Singapore, but the Mee Siam (S$6.90) at Nya Nya probably tastes the closest to my phenomenal Peranakan grandmother’s version. The bee hoon was filled with a generous amount of sliced fish cake, tau pok, boiled egg, bean sprouts, and ku chye. The gravy was tangy from the tamarind and was complemented by a gentle sweetness from the palm sugar.
nya nya – nasi
The Nasi Kunyit (S$8.90) checked all boxes with its fragrant, robust flavours. The yellow rice was bursting with coconut milk and turmeric, dancing a waltz on my tongue.
nya nya – chicken closeup
Huge but tender, the chicken drumstick came with an addictively sedap gravy made for slathering over rice.
nya nya – desserts
We also tried their range of sweet treats. The Bubur Cha Cha (S$3.50) though creamy, was surprisingly light and not cloying. It was filled with the usual suspects — yam, sweet potato and tapioca jelly.
The Kueh Koswee (S$1.50) was aromatic and delightfully chewy, with the rich taste of gula melaka and coconut in every bite. We were also impressed with the fluffy Butter Cake (S$14 for whole), that beautifully melts in your mouth.
nya nya – kueh salat
I also relished the Kueh Salat (S$1.50) for its smooth, redolent pandan custard and perfumed, perfectly-cooked glutinous rice. Also, who can resist its pretty hues?
nya nya – overview
If you’re hunting for a new Peranakan food spot that doesn’t burn a hole in your wallet, then swing by Food Republic at Wisma Atria and check out Nya Nya. It’s Peranakan-approved by me!
The post 3rd-Gen owners bring granny’s 1980s Peranakan heritage recipes to the food court appeared first on SETHLUI.com.
Dining and Cooking