Buffets are never my thing because its really not worth the money for the amount I eat, but sometimes I can't help thinking its the best type of food for someone like me. Why? Because all the food is out there for the taking and it's up to you to choose how much and in what order to get them, instead of waiting for courses to arrive in predetermined amounts, usually piping hot. (I really don't like food that's steaming or scalding hot). That's why I was really excited when the awesome folks from Orchard Hotel invited me to try out their new buffet menu, "Straits Cuisine" by Executive chef Paul Then. Walking to the Hotel from Orchard MRT took about 10 minutes, as it is just beside Delfi Orchard. Once in there, we were treated to a visual and sensory feast from the dramatic "Baba Theatre Kitchen". Food galore!

Here's what we had in totality - looks good doesn't it? You can have all of that, on top of the regular buffet items like oysters, seafood and etc..

Next, the Crabmeat Kueh Pie Tee with Buah Keluak Caviar. It is definitely one of my favorites that night. Everything was really well-balanced, and the Buah Keluak added that special something. I read that this was co-created with Dr. Leslie Tay during the last Hawker Fest, and I hope it will be showing again this year.

I also really enjoyed the crab meat popiah, though the crab meat inside is negligible. Still, it was generous and homely. You can't get much more authentic than this.

The sambal stingray I felt you could skip. The ones at Chomp Chomp or Newton were flatter and you could get more chili with the meat. I suppose in this case it is better to be stingy with the stingray.

The nyonya laksa was excellent. We were all given a small bowl each, but I felt like on any given day I could just have a huge bowl by myself. The laksa gravy was just the right thickness, but was really fragrant. The only thing it lacked was a dusting of laksa leaves.

This, is what we call the mega Otah. Handmade with fresh black cod fish and spiced just right, it was bouncy and spicy, just like eating fish balls. I could imagine this to go very well with some nasi lemak! 

Next, the nyonya hokkien noodles. I'm hokkien, but do not recall eating much of this even though it seems like the noodle dish you get at wedding dinners. In any case it was quite well-made, but not remarkable. Save your carb quota for other food!

The chap chye on the other hand, really had the taste of home. If you are bringing a tourist around to Singapore, this Straits Cuisine buffet is definitely THE buffet to visit for a all-round sample of Singapore's best local Peranakan dishes.

The nyonya peranakan dishes are really unique to the Singapore-Malaysia region and combines Chinese ingredients with various distinct spices and cooking techniques by the Malay/Indonesian community, causing a true fusion of cultures and tastes. I am glad that we as Singaporeans have access to dishes like this - all the more so preserved through this Straits Cuisine buffet.

Other than Nyonya dishes, there are oysters and fresh lobster and crab legs for you to enjoy!

Lastly we have the trio of meats - the buah keluak chicken, which goes swell with a bowl of rice. I felt that the chicken is quite dry, but the sauce was really good. It is one of the star attractions at the Straits Cuisine buffet.

The beef rendang was rather plain for me. At this stage though you have to forgive my lack of enthusiasm - we were all really stuffed, and looking forward to dessert!

The assam fish is great especially for family gatherings. Fresh, spicy and sour.

Finally! Desserts! We were all looking forward to it - especially the durian pengat with pandan jelly. The durian puree was super smooth, but you could still taste the fact that it is made with quality durians. That's a super worthwhile dessert to have. 

The chempedak creme brulee was also delightful - they are like distant cousins of the jackfruit, but tastes like banana.. I think. 

We also had an assortment of nyonya kuehs, which looked pretty on the platter.

Lastly, some durian, peanut and chempedak pancakes made fresh by the buffet guys. I really enjoyed the durian one, which normally you would have to queue for to buy outside for a hefty sum.