Tanglin Cookhouse in Paya Lebar Quarter (PLQ)

Singapore’s history is intertwined with colonialism, a complex chapter that left its mark, both positive and negative, on our island nation. Tanglin Cookhouse takes inspiration from the colonial era, offering diners a chance to experience “contemporary colonial cuisine” in a “lush British colonial-style setting.”

Tanglin Cookhouse at PLQ Parkside

The restaurant’s name itself is linked to Singapore’s colonial history. “Tanglin” is believed to originate from “Tang Leng,” the name of a house built by a British colonial official William Napier (source: Singapore Infopedia).

Tanglin Cookhouse first opened in Tanglin Mall. The second outlet of Tanglin Cookhouse is located in Paya Lebar Quarter (PLQ), in the zone known as PLQ Parkside.

The interior design of Tanglin Cookhouse at PLQ Parkside echoes the era of colonial black-and-white bungalows. It features wooden furniture, elaborate trim work, mouldings, intricate patterns and greenery – a blend of British classicism and tropical rustic charm.

Terrace seating, another feature of colonial officers’ bungalows in the tropics, is also a feature at Tanglin Cookhouse at Paya Lebar Quarter.

Menu of Tanglin Cookhouse

Tanglin Cookhouse’s menu reflects the diverse influences that shaped Singapore’s cuisine during colonial times. Alongside classic British fare like Scotch Eggs, Yorkshire Puddings and Fish & Chips, we also see dishes like Hainanese Pork Chop and Indian Butter Chicken. There are also sandwiches and pastas. Vegan options are available.

Below are pictures of the menu of Tanglin Cookhouse at PLQ.

English Breakfast & Chilli Crab Pasta

We opted for the Full English Fry-Up Breakfast ($26) and the Creamy Singapore Chilli Crab Pasta ($26). The portion sizes were fairly generous.

The English Breakfast was a hearty portion of hash brown, egg, sausage, bacon, mushrooms, baked beans, tomatoes and a medley of other vegetables. It was a colourful combination of familiar flavours which delivered comfort-food satisfaction on multiple levels.

The Creamy Singapore Chilli Crab Pasta is a fusion dish that is now found in many cafes and restaurants. It combines the flavours of Singaporean chili crab sauce with Italian pasta. Tanglin Cookhouse’s version had a generous amount of real crab meat. The sauce had a good balance of sweetness and spiciness, and it coated the al dente linguine well. It was an enjoyable dish, which would satisfy both chilli crab lovers and pasta enthusiasts.

As we had our caffeine fix for the day already, we thought we would try the hot chocolate ($9.90). It was velvety and had intense cocoa notes with a hint of sweetness. It was a somewhat indulgent experience, albeit a rather expensive one.

Indulge or Impress

Tanglin Cookhouse offers a spiffy ambience, extensive menu selections and full table service. While the pricing might not suit everyday dining, it presents itself as a good venue for business lunches, casual date nights or occasional treats. In other words,Tanglin Cookhouse is a good option when you want to indulge or impress.

A word of caution: if your guest or dining companion has strong anti-colonial views, this might not be the best restaurant choice. Die-hard anti-colonialists might find the theme jarring. But for most Singaporeans, that should not be an issue. We are a pragmatic bunch. Many would have gone to schools named after colonial figures like Thomas Dunman, Robert Anderson, Douglas Haig, or David Beatty. Most will not object to eating in a food centre just because it is named after someone from the colonial era, for examples, Ronald MacPherson, Princess Margaret, Howard Newton or John Argyle Maxwell. Almost all will happily dine in Raffles Hotel if invited.

Ratings:
Food: 3
Service: 3
Value: 3
Atmosphere: 4
Overall Rating: 3 TOPs

Tanglin Cookhouse PLQ
2 Tanjong Katong Road, #01-07 PLQ 3
Singapore 437161

Tel: +65 6592 4572

Opening Hours: 9 am to 10 pm

Nearby MRT Station: Paya Lebar Interchange (EW8/CC9)

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