Little Nyonya: Option for foodies

LITTLE Nyonya, a newly-opened restaurant in Davao City, provides new option for Dabawenyo diners, being the first Singaporean restaurant in the city.

Norman Gallego, operations manager of Global Nyonya F&B, said his team spent time in Singapore to make a study, including the culinary trainings, on how they could set up a restaurant right in Davao City with its authenticity still maintained just the way it is prepared in the Lion City.

Though Gallego refused to disclose how much was being invested to put up such a business, but said they poured out a big amount as they want Dabawenyos to really experience the taste of Singapore without really having to fly out from here.

Executives of the resto are also positive with the quick reception of the Davao market to Little Nyonya. In fact, it has earned already some loyal diners, although it just opened for business barely a month ago.

"The market is ready. Dabawenyos have the buying power," he said of Dabawenyos who have been all the rage to try out new taste of food other than what they are used to enjoy and crave in the local food scene.

Singaporean cuisine has a great advantage over other food that are offered in a number of establishments in the city. For one, Singapore is a melting pot of varied races - Chinese, Malays, Indians, British - known in the world of culinary for their distinctive and aromatic cuisines and unique preparations.

It seems, then, what Singaporeans serve to both local and foreign diners alike are a round-up of the traditional cuisines of each race, mostly aromatic dishes that are infused with several herbs, making it so enticing to palate.

"Food is their identity," Gallego said.

He also bragged of having a Singaporean partner who supplies them with raw ingredients necessary to prepare each palatable offering to diners.

With this, he assured diners that they will get similar taste on the traditional cuisine, which they themselves prepare, to the ones served and prepared by Singaporeans themselves as they give high regard for the authentic Singaporean dishes.

For the meantime, Little Nyonya introduces new dishes one after another to Dabawenyo foodies.

"We don't want to overwhelm them with a lot of choices. We want them to taste one at a time our foods," he said.

Just last week, Little Nyonya launched its new food item, Tofu Goreng, a palatable dish topped with tasty peanut sauce.

Dabawenyo diners can also expect more items in their menu as new and palatable dishes are already in the works.

Other specialties also include Laksa, whch comes in three varieties such as Chicken Laksa, Shio Balsa, and Seafood Laksa, and Roti Prata, a starter with a curry dip.

Another is the Kangkong Sambal, which is more like Filipino's favorite adobong kangkong, only that it has a crushed crispy pork skin on it.

Speaking of the resto's interior, there's a great mural of Singapore's popular landmarks, which adds up well to the close-to-reality dining experience in the Lion City.

Measuring about 65 square meters, the dining area is big enough to cater about 50 to 60 individuals.

After opening the first branch, Gallego is also planning to open two more in Davao City before yearend. This time at the malls.

As to how soon, Gallego added it depends upon the progress of the first outlet.

Little Nyonya is located at the CVA Building, Quirino Avenue, Davao City, fronting Kogot.