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Candlenut

Restaurant · Peranakan (Michelin-starred)$$$Dempsey Hill, Singapore

Chef Malcolm Lee's Dempsey restaurant, which became the first Peranakan restaurant to win a Michelin star in 2016, known for its Ah-Ma-Kase menu.

At a glance

Type
Peranakan (Michelin-starred)
Area
Dempsey Hill, Singapore
Price
$$$ · Upscale
Official site
comoepicurean.com
Last checked
October 23, 2026

Good to know

  • One Michelin star
  • Tasting menu

Why we recommend it

Candlenut is led by chef-owner Malcolm Lee, a fourth-generation Peranakan, and in 2016 it became the first Peranakan restaurant to earn a Michelin star, which it still holds. Set in the leafy COMO Dempsey enclave, it cooks Straits Chinese dishes rooted in family recipes, refined in technique but still bold in spice and flavour.

The Ah-Ma-Kase menu, available at lunch and dinner, leaves the choice to the kitchen and is the easiest way to taste a broad spread; there is also an à la carte menu. Booking is recommended, particularly for dinner. Dempsey Hill is not on the MRT, so take a taxi or bus, and consider arriving early for a drink in one of the neighbouring venues.

Reviewed by Lifestylemetro · Details checked October 23, 2026

Candlenut FAQs

Does Candlenut have a Michelin star?

Yes, it holds one Michelin star and was the first Peranakan restaurant to receive one.

What is Ah-Ma-Kase?

A chef's choice menu of Peranakan dishes, offered at both lunch and dinner.

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