Taste the Tradition: Ramadan Specialties at 21 on Rajah, Aloft Singapore Novena

Whether you’re participating in Ramadan fasting or just love Mediterranean and Asian Fusion foods, let me put you on this amazing find! Ladies and gentlemen, may I introduce you to 21 on Rajah at Aloft Singapore Novena! From now, until the end of the Ramadan season, families can enjoy a delectable mix of Malay and Mediterranean cuisine all at 21 on Rajah, which is halal-certified! We had the honour and the privilege of tasting the mouth-watering spread they offer, and I must admit, the dishes were otherworldly! 

Now, allow me to walk you through each dish, one by one – all honesty with no sugarcoating, scouts honour! 

Ambience

For all you loyal readers, the name “Aloft Singapore Novena” should sound familiar. Just a few months ago, they launched Yuè, a Chinese restaurant with the unexpected theme of music. We also had the opportunity to attend their launch, and it was nothing short of an amazing experience. If you have yet to check it out, read our guide to Yuè here!

Even though 21 on Rajah is located in a completely different wing from Yuè, the vibes and atmosphere were consistent throughout the hotel! I’ve always had the best experiences whenever I’m at Aloft Novena, and this time was no exception!

What I love the most about Aloft Singapore Novena is how friendly the staff and service crew are. To illustrate, when we asked for more sashimi because it was going to be devoured by a party of five, they so graciously and generously loaded our plates with more sashimi than we asked for! If that isn’t the mark of fantastic service, I don’t know what is!

Starters

The meal started with a Kerabu Salad station. With a plate full of shredded mango and six bowls filled with bean sprouts, long beans, bird’s eye chilli, coriander, cherry tomatoes and chopped peanuts. I assembled my plate with everything but the chopped peanuts and, not to toot my own horn, but it was pretty out of this world – of course, most of the work was already prepped for me by the amazing chefs at 21 on Rajah.

The Kerabu Salad reminded me of Thai Som Tam or Papaya Salad – the apparent difference being that we had shredded mango instead of papaya. Still, everything else tasted pretty similar to Som Tam! Like Som Tam, the Kerabu Salad is for those of you with acquired tastes. If you enjoy sour notes with a splash of spiciness and crunch, this is a dish you must try! Taste aside, the act of assembling your very own dish was a fun way to kick-start the rest of the meal!

Next up were the Banana and Cempedak Fritters. For those wondering what Cempedak is, it’s Malay for jackfruit! These delectable goodies are a mix of banana and jackfruit, which are subsequently fried. The fritters were fried to perfection, with a gloriously crunchy golden brown outer layer protecting the gold that lay inside.

In all honesty, when I took a bite out of the fritter, I thought I tasted durian, but it’s actually jackfruit, which has a similar taste profile—because I love the taste of durian, I had no qualms about it! Of course, I’m well aware of the flack that durian receives, so heed my warning: if you’re not a fan of durian, I would still give this a shot—just have an open mind! 

Bubur Lambuk 

Next on the menu was the Bubur Lambuk—a traditional dish in Singapore and Malaysia! Bubur Lambuk is rice porridge slightly seasoned with spices and coconut milk, so you can imagine just how hearty it tastes. 

At first glance, it did look quite simple, but it certainly packed a punch! Every spoon was full of flavour and herbs, which made the porridge not only aromatic but also incredibly appetising.

Mains

Welcome to the main event! The opening act was the Slow Baked Spiced Lamb Leg served with 21 Basmati Rice, which did not disappoint! One thing you’ll notice about 21 on Rajah is that they don’t mess around. I was floored when I saw the size of the lamb leg – it was huge! Every piece of the meat was tender and burst with flavour, leading me to ponder just how much effort it took them to make it! As if the lamb wasn’t filling enough, it also rested on a glorious golden bed of basmati rice that was so tasty!

I can’t begin to imagine the amount of time it took to evenly marinate and cook a chunk of meat that size, but 21 on Rajah always pull through! And as the name states, they slow-baked the lamb! It probably took the crazy talented team hours to make sure this dish was cooked to perfection.

Next was the Roasted Short Ribs with Rosemary and Spice. The bar was already set infinitely high with the Lamb Leg, but somehow, this managed to top that! Once again, the short ribs were huge, and each piece was seasoned beautifully! If you are a fan of herbal-tasting meats, then this dish is for you! With every bite, I could taste the rosemary attacking my tastebuds! 

The closing act to the main event was the Whole Salmon in Mustard Cream Sauce with Pink Peppercorn – this was a real treat! They weren’t joking when they said it was a whole salmon, head and all. The salmon was delightful; the meat was lightly cooked and tender. The salmon was blanketed in this thick mustard cream sauce that complimented the star of the dish! Add the pink peppercorn to the mix and not only do you have an incredibly delicious dish, but a real treat for the eyes! 

Grilled Station 

This was the highlight of the entire meal! Introducing the grilled station, which featured an array of grilled delights. With meats like Fresh Tiger Prawns, Smoked Sea Salt Lamb Chop and Satay and grilled must-haves like corn and potato, this station has it all! Of course, I do have some honourable mentions. The third prize goes to the Chicken and Mutton Satay, which was incredibly tender and chewy. Second place goes to the Smoked Sea Salt Lamb Chop, which had a perfect smoky finish.

Of course, first place goes to the Fresh Tiger Prawns, which were oozing with juice and flavour! Every part of the prawn was packed with flavour! The hallmark of a truly fresh prawn is how easy it is to peel, and the shells of these decadent tiger prawns just fell right off! When you’re at 21 on Rajah, eating to your heart’s content, don’t forget to give these a go—I swear they will not disappoint!

Dessert

No meal is complete without dessert, right? 21 on Rajah has you covered with three of their sinfully amazing desserts! The first was the Bread and Butter Pudding. The pudding was the epitome of heaven with its thick consistency and milky finish. The bread was warm to the touch, which was the perfect base for this sweet treat.

The next dessert was the assorted range of Nonya Kueh. Growing up in a Nonya household, I would like to think I know my Kuehs, and I have to admit that 21 on Rajah hit the nail on the head. They tasted super authentic and were beaming with vibrant colours – doubling as a treat for your tastebuds and your eyes.

Last but certainly not least, we have the Durian Mousse, which was extraordinarily decadent and boasted of this thick texture. Our spoons glided through the mousse and landed straight into our mouths, where it burst with flavour! It certainly did pack a punch! If you prefer to end your meals on a lighter note, I might suggest skipping this one. But if you’re a fan of anything Durian, I highly recommend you try this before you leave!

Here you are, folks! That’s all that 21 on Rajah has to offer this Eid Mubarak period! Get ready for a feast like one you’ve never had before this season. From now until Hari Raya Puasa, 21 on Rajah is spoiling us with delicious treats that you can’t miss! So head on down to the 21 on Rajah website for more ongoing promotions and information on their Eid Mubarak special!

21 on Rajah 

📍Location: 16 Ah Hood Rd, Singapore 329982

Photos by Leo Chia of the DANAMIC Team.