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One of the rarest types of cuisines I’ve seen in Singapore isn’t something foreign or exotic – in fact, it belongs to one of the 4 major ethnic groups: Eurasian cuisine. When was the last time you saw a hawker selling Eurasian dishes, aside from a few you could likely count on one hand? It is therefore disheartening to learn that a cornerstone of Eurasian cuisine, Quentin’s Eurasian Restaurant, might be losing its home at the Eurasian Association.
Opened in 2007 and located on Ceylon Road, Mr Quentin Pereira has been serving Eurasian classics at his restaurant, such as devil’s curry, curry feng, and prawn bostador, which are dishes seldom found across eateries in Singapore. The restaurant’s lease is slated to end at the end of 2025, and the landlord, the Eurasian Association, has decided not to renew it.
The reason? The Eurasian Heritage Gallery, where Quentin’s is currently located, is being revamped at the end of 2025 in order to “promote and enhance access to Eurasian heritage, including Eurasian culinary traditions, for a wider audience in Singapore”.
While Quentin’s has a second outlet in Sentosa, Mr Pereira is still looking for avenues to keep his Ceylon Road outlet – the restaurant is special not only to him, but also to many members of Singapore’s Eurasian community, who flock to it for a taste of home.
In a Facebook post from the group Eurasians International, Sandra M Galistan writes that “Beyond his restaurant, Quentin has dedicated his life to ensuring that Eurasian culinary traditions are not lost. Through his cookbooks, such as Eurasian Heritage Cooking, and his TV series The Skinny Chef, he has worked tirelessly to document, educate, and share the richness of Eurasian food.”
She continues, “His departure from the EA, if confirmed, will cause a growing concern over how Eurasian cuisine will continue to be represented in such an important cultural space. The association has long been a custodian of Eurasian traditions, and Quentin’s presence has been instrumental in making these traditions accessible to a wider audience.”
She goes on to explain that the possible loss of Quentin’s is not just about a single restaurant, but about safeguarding Eurasian culture and heritage for future generations.
She concludes her post by urging “fellow Eurasians, every supporter of heritage food, and every lover of Singapore’s diverse history” to stand together and support Quentin’s.
