Great Nanyang is the latest local cafe brand to be expanding its presence in Singapore. With their second outlet opening at 111 Somerset in Orchard, this outlet is more focused on it’s traditional and authentic roots. Opened on 31st March 2024, this kopi house has already seen a full house and long queues during meal times. Outside the shopfront lines a decorative wall of what seems like an entrance to a traditional Malaysian house. There you can see all sorts of Malaysian and Asian antiques that actually belong to the owner of the chain. Some of these items have even been repurposed from his property back in Malaysia to fit in the new cafe! Try and spot the red bicycle, that’s one of them! From Milo tins to traditional asian slippers, it’s a great place to admire some of these old gems while waiting in queue for a seat.
Exclusive to this outlet are several new dishes and drinks. Their new signature main dishes are the Curry Chicken Chee Cheong Fan and Claypot Mee Tai Mak. If you’re looking for a snack, their Milo Toast is the way to go. Need to quench your thirst after your meal? Look out for their nostalgic take on milo with their Sai Ka Hor or go for something fruity like their Longan Tea, both of which can be ordered hot or cold. The new dishes for this outlet are currently only exclusive to this outlet with a possibility of it being rolled out to its other outlet depending on how well the new dishes are perceived.
Curry Chicken Chee Cheong Fan
This rich curry goodness combined with the silky steamy Chee Cheong Fan flour rolls is a match made in heaven. The subtle flavours of the flour rolls soaking in the rich goodness of the curry sauce was something that i wanted more of. I kept wishing that there was more sauce to soak up. This dish also comes with large pieces of curry chicken, long beans and fried beancurd skin. This is a very messy dish to eat be forewarned. You might want to have a pack of tissues handy!
Claypot Mee Tai Mak
This claypot noodle comes hot and topped of with a raw egg for you to break and mix into the dish. Coated in a black savoury sauce, this dish comes with prawns as well as springy rice noodles. One pot is big enough to be shared by two people or more if you do want to try other dishes.
Milo Toast
A childhood classic is something that the owner really wanted to bring to this kopi shop. A crispy toasted piece of bread with condensed milk dribbled all over it. On top of that a thick layer of Milo powder, followed another smattering of condensed Milk. This was the best tasting dish with a good balance of sweetness and great texture. This is the perfect afternoon tea snack and might just prove to be quite popular over time.
Sai Ka Hor
Another childhood favourite is also being brought back. Simply known as Milo + Tea, this Sai Ka Hor is a great sweet drink where the bitterness of the tea elevates and complements the overpowering sweetness of the Milo drink to create a symphony on your palette. This is a must try drink that everyone needs to try. This comes in both a cold and hot version.
Longan Tea
The second new beverage item on the menu at this outlet is the Longan Tea. Filled generously with lychee, the tea is sweet, with hints of natural lychee flavouring. Something a lot more healthier for those looking for a healthier alternative. This drink can also be served cold or hot.
Popsicles
Exclusive to the 111 Somerset outlet of Great Nanyang are popsicles for sale which is supposed to be a tribute to the olden times where young school-going children would also buy and lick popsicles at roadside kopi shops. These popsicles are priced at $3 each, but for the period of 5th – 7th April 2024, popsicles would be sold at only $1.50 each. come in 5 flavours:
- Mango
- Sour Plum
- Kopi-O
- Ribena
- Hor Ka Sai
- Milo
Buying these popsicles are also quite a fun little experience. The shop has set up a pull-down milo bucket contraption where you are asked to self-pay for those purchasing these popsicles. It is very simple, requiring the patron to just leave your $3 into the milo tin before letting go of the bucket and watch it rise up to the ceiling once again.
Old But Gold
The owner and founder of the Great Nanyang cafe chain hopes to bring back those feelings of nostalgia where turning retro, is not only an Instagrammable concept but also the way to bring back the buzz to the old school vibes. Upon walking up to the store, you already can tell how immersive this restaurant feels compared to many other asian or Peranakan coffee shops. Instead of letting olden roots die out, this restaurant celebrates its old heritage and culture from a ‘wall’ of aesthetic antique decorations reminiscent of a shophouse entrance during the 60s and 70’s in Malaysia. The kopi shop like architecture and design makes it almost as if you’ve stepped into a roadside coffee shop from 50 years ago.
Operating Hours: Daily 7:30AM – 8:30PM
Address: 111 Somerset Rd, #01-09, Singapore 238164
