You probably have heard of Great Nanyang – opened by the people behind Yang Ming Seafood.  It is a time machine to the past with old-school decor.  Branching out from Craig Road, Great Nanyang’s second outlet is located at 111 Somerset. 

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The front of this outlet features a Mamashop popsicle stand, from which those growing up in the 80s will recall buying and sampling popsicles.  Here, Great Nanyang will also be selling popsicles in flavours such as Ribena, Sour Plum Kopi-O, Hor Ka Sai, Milo and Mango.  
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Look closer and you’ll see a retro Milo tin hanging above it, suspended on a pulley that you can lower and raise at your own ease.  Doesn’t this remind you of the old honour system “cash register”? 
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Central to the restaurant is the façade of an olden day house framing the roof of the restaurant’s kitchen.  That is where all the action for drinks order takes place. 
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To celebrate the new outlet launch, there are some new items on its menu (exclusive to this outlet).  The Curry Chicken Chee Cheong Fun ($9.90) features silky steamed rice rolls in fragrant curry chicken. 
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Those who prefer their curry chicken with toast can choose the Curry Chicken Toast ($7.90).  The same fragrant curry chicken is paired with slices of toasted baguette instead. 
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My choice of main is the Claypot Mee Tai Mak ($9.90) – something I will choose if I’m looking for a hearty and affordable option when I’m in town.  Served bubbling hot in a pot that is still cooking the mee tai mak, you’ll also find spring onions, prawns and a half-cooked egg. 
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Mix everything up in the savoury black sauce and you get a comforting bowl of chewy noodles that warms the soul. 
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Another new dish on the menu is the Penang Asam Laksa ($8.90). Rice noodles is served in a bowl of tart and spicy broth flavoured with fish, fermented prawn paste and lashings of cucumber and mint.  I like this dish and think it is a good start for those who cannot take too sour food.  I would prefer my Penang Asam Laksa to be a little more sour, with more fermented prawn paste, but this is a pretty decent bowl. 
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For toasts, we had the Milo Toast, which comes either in traditional ($3.50) or thick ($4.00).  Condensed milk is drizzled on the milo powder and toast resulting in a malty, chocolatey create for your inner child!
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As for drinks, the Soymilk Coffee ($5.90) comes highly recommended.  Alternatively, they also have Longan Tea ($3.80), Sai Ka Hor ($3.00 / $5.00) and other drinks that the locals will be familiar with.  
I like how this cafe brings back memories from the past and also serving dishes at affordable prices, in a comfortable setting right in the heart of town.  We hear that the popsicles are priced at 50% off ($1.50 each) from 5 April to 7 April 2024 so drop by.  There are plenty of instagram worthy spots too.  

Budget per person: $10 – 20 per person

  • Great Nanyang Heritage Cafe 大南洋 (Somerset)

  • Phone
    +65 8753 1850
  • Address
    111 Somerset Rd, #01-09, Singapore 238164
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