The Straits Kitchen has been pulling the crowds in week after week without fail since its official launch at the end of December 2004. No doubt one of the most popular restaurants in Singapore for local food, this buffet restaurant located in the Hyatt Hotel has remained rooted in national tradition and pride in its cuisine, as well as décor. Appareled with countless memorabilia, the Straits Kitchen is certainly a commendable place to dine, and soak in the nostalgia of a time long gone.

• The Vibe
  Concerted by the renowned Japanese designer Super Potato, the décor of this dining space is one that is bound to impress. Much emphasis is given in providing elements that exhibit strong local influences; from the exotic woods lining the walls and monochrome pictorials featuring old scenes of Singapore , right down to the oriental plateware and chopsticks that adorn the tables.

  If you are looking for a quiet spot to have your dinner, then this restaurant may not be the best choice for you. Booked to its capacity everyday, this restaurant reverberates with much energy that is synonymous with most local buffet restaurants. While some may find it a bit too obtrusive for a meal, others may enjoy basking in its lively atmosphere of an international crowd indulging in flavourful local cuisine.

• The Food
  Expect an extensive variety from this buffet spread which hosts separate Chinese, Malay, Indian and Peranakan stations that display a good representation of the usual favourites of the local people. Also worth noting is the fact that all the food prepared in the Straits Kitchen is halal. Taking pride in showcasing their team of culinary talents, guests are invited to watch approximately 30 chefs at work behind pristine glass stations and take in the various aromas of the food that intermingle from the different corners of the buffet space. There is no need for warmers for the food in this buffet restaurant, because the chefs are constantly at work whipping up fresh batches of delicacies for the diners to feast on.

  Highlights to look out for are the specialties of the different stations, which includes the roast duck and chicken, Hainanese chicken rice and prawn mee of the Chinese section, assorted Satay, Otak Otak and Rendang meats of the Malay station, as well as juicy Tandoori items, array of curries, fresh naans and roti pratas from the Indian station. However, some dishes can get a little too oily or fattening, leaving a not so desirable aftertaste, and guilt behind.

  Those who love home-made Singaporean desserts will get to savour quite a good variety of choices here in Straits Kitchen. Whether you prefer hot desserts like Pulut Hitam and black sesame tang yuan (dumplings) in soup, or prefer cold ones like the herbal Guilin jelly and mango pudding, there will definitely be something that will set well on your palate. Not to be missed is their specialty Pandan Kaya cake that is so soft in its texture, and aromatic in its flavour, as well as the delectable home-made ice-cream creations of durian, mango and coconut and many more.

• The Service
  Unlike most other buffet restaurants that are understaffed, there were enough service staffs to tend to individual needs of the different tables, which made the dining experience in the Straits Kitchen an even more pleasurable one.

The SD Food Advisor's take on Straits Kitchen
This restaurant deserves every bit of its recognition; an extensive menu that showcases a good variety of authentic local delicacies, coupled with commendable service and a charming ambience. For a price of $38+++ per person (adult price), luxury sure comes rather affordable here in the Straits Kitchen. However, do reserve your tables early or it will be almost impossible to get a chance to eat here.