Chilli Padi Tok Panjang

Chilli Padi Tok Panjang is a Peranakan restaurant at The Rail Mall on Upper Bukit Timah Road. It is the sister restaurant of Chilli Padi Nonya Restaurant, which first opened in Tiong Bahru in 1997 and now runs from Joo Chiat. This newer branch opened in 2026.

The name refers to the tok panjang, a Peranakan feast where many dishes are laid out along one long table and shared. The restaurant builds its menu around that idea of eating together.

What to order

The à la carte menu covers Nyonya home-style dishes for the middle of the table. A June 2026 review of this outlet picked out the jumbo chicken satay, ngoh hiang (spiced meat rolls in beancurd skin) and nyonya chap chye (braised mixed vegetables). Honey pork was another dish the reviewer ordered.

Eating alone? A "Made for One" menu of signature dishes is sized for solo diners. For dessert, there is chendol. A display counter also sells a few kinds of kueh, the small Peranakan cakes. A piece of kueh with a cup of kopi, the local coffee, makes an easy light snack.

Peranakan high tea

In September 2026, Chilli Padi launched a Peranakan high tea at both of its restaurants. It brings together 14 small sweet and savoury items with a pot of tea. Savoury bites include a babi pongteh slider, Bibik's curry chicken tart and petite satay. Sweet items include kueh dadar, kueh salat, nonya baked lapis and durian sago pudding. It runs only on weekend afternoons, so check before you go.

The setting

The Rail Mall is a single-storey row of shops beside Upper Bukit Timah Road. It sits at an entry point to the Rail Corridor, the green walking trail along the old railway line. Dairy Farm Nature Park is also close by.

Chilli Padi Tok Panjang is at the southern end of the mall, near the old railway truss bridge. It took over the space once used by Maison Marie Bistrot & Market. Inside, the room is large and clean, with a modern take on Peranakan style. It can get loud when full, as the hard surfaces make sound echo. It makes a handy stop before or after a walk on the trail.

Good to know before you go

• Bookings: reserve online through Chilli Padi's website, or call the restaurant.
• Groups: the sharing dishes suit families and groups well.
• Solo diners: order from the "Made for One" menu.
• By MRT: the closest station is Hillview on the Downtown Line.
• Parking: The Rail Mall has a few free parking spaces, but they can be hard to find at busy times.

You can find more details on the official Chilli Padi Tok Panjang page.

Nearby

Upper Bukit Timah is a good base for nature walks. Hike up Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, or learn some wartime history at the Former Ford Factory, also on Upper Bukit Timah Road. For another Peranakan meal in the area, try Ivins Peranakan Restaurant at Binjai Park.

For more choices, browse all restaurants in Upper Bukit Timah and our Peranakan restaurants. Our Peranakan food guides explain the main dishes.