A breakfast spot by day serving local breakfast delights from Killiney Kopitiam and a craft beer taproom by night, Orh Gao Taproom in Serene Centre is a godsend for those living in Bukit Timah.
Talk about beginning the day with a piece of toast and ending it with another kind of toast! Choose from no less than 10 beer taps on constant rotation along with a fridge that’s full of canned craft beer from a wide array of breweries from different parts of the world i.e. UK, New Zealand, US and more. You can expect to find familiar brands as well as some hard-to-find rarities.
The beers alone aren’t what make Orh Gao Taproom such a joy to visit though. Another reason people return is for their selection of Peranakan delights that are available as dinner mains and bar snacks. Whether you’re a seasoned craft beer drinker looking to discover some new brews; or a novice keen on learning more about craft beer, Orh Gao Taproom is a terrific place to start.
The name, ’Orh Gao’, translates to ‘Black Dog’ in Hokkien but don’t just take it at face value. Back in the old days, the term, Orh Gao (black dog), was a common slang used by the older folk in coffee shops to refer to black stout beers. With a keen interest in craft beer and rekindling the kampung spirit of yesteryear back into the local neighbourhoods, Orh Gao Taproom exists to remind us of two things: that there is beauty in honouring old local traditions and that craft beer is never too far away.
Orh Gao Taproom – Craft Beer Bar in Serene Centre
Boasting 10 rotating taps that feature a solid range of beers from local and international breweries, zeroing-in on a particular beer to suit your fancy is never difficult. They also make it a point to include a good variety of beer types such as your hoppy pale ales and IPAs; funky gose; crisp saisons; heavy-hitting porters and creamy stouts to ensure that guests are able to enjoy the full spectrum of craft beer.
Take your pick at the board above the counter, they’ve got everything written in chalk right there. From the name of the beer, the brewery that made it, right down to the ABV and flavour notes! If that’s still not enough, feel free to chat up the friendly staff for recommendations.
Nothing on the boards interest you? Feel free to browse their fridge next to the bar. Boasting a good variety of local and international beers, ciders and wine, you’re bound to find something that’ll suit your fancy.
Har Cheong Gai & Fermented Durian Pork
What’s a round of beer without some munchies to go along with? Their menu may not be expansive but on it, you’ll find familiar Peranakan favourites that serve as hearty mains & bar bites to pair with your beer.
Among the lot, their Har Cheong Gai (S$10.90) is a must-order for sure. It’s crunchy, beautifully golden on all sides and it brims with a heavenly aroma of fermented shrimp paste. Just biting into it you can tell that it’s been marinated for a long time. The marinade permeates through to the succulent flesh beneath the skin and the juice that flows carries such a profound and savoury flavour.
If you decide to opt for a full-on meal, the Tempoyak Pork (S$14.90) is one that you have to try. Perhaps one of the most distinguished dishes on their menu, this dish sees roasted pork belly braised low and slow with an in-house fermented durian sauce—that’s right, you read correctly.
A harmonious intermingling of bold, savoury flavours and spices, this is a dish is one that begs to be eaten with a plate of white rice. The tamarind tang comes through from the get-go and the subtle heat really carries it forward. The taste of the fermented durian is difficult to pick out but aroma-wise you can tell it’s there. Highly unusual even for most Peranakan restaurants in Singapore, their Tempoyak Pork is truly something special.
Address:10 Jln Serene, #01-03 Serene Centre, Singapore 258748
Opening Hours: 2PM – 7PM (Mon), 2PM – 10.30PM (Tue to Sun)
Contact: +65 8749 2755
Nearest MRT Station: Botanic Gardens
Disclaimer: Uncover Asia made an anonymous visit and paid for their own meal.
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