Malaysia
Singapore
Thailand
Who says plant-based food can’t steal the show? I used to think that way too — believing plant-based dishes meant missing out on rich, festive flavour. That mindset changed instantly upon discovering Whole Earth at 76 Peck Seah Street.
As Singapore’s only plant-based MICHELIN Bib Gourmand restaurant for 9 consecutive years, serving stunning Peranakan-Thai cuisine, my intrigue was immediately piqued. I absolutely had to swing by to see if their food truly lives up to that impressive, long-running title.
Whole Earth began its journey in 2003 with humble roots in Geylang, before successfully elevating its presence by relocating to the heart of the CBD in 2009.
Since Peranakan and Thai Cuisines are defined by an intense blend of herbs and aromatic spices, the founder fused them to craft a harmonious dance of flavours. The recipes from a Peranakan family are authentic and have been preserved and passed down for decades.
Warm and inviting, with wooden accents and nostalgic Peranakan tiles, the green-orange-black colour palette of the restaurant space immediately felt more relaxing than the fast-paced world outside. While waiting, the alluring aroma wraps around you, making it impossible not to crave the food.
What I tried at Whole Earth
Chinese New Year is considered a special period for Whole Earth. Why? That’s because it’s the time of the entire year when the chefs sit down, brainstorm, and meticulously create limited-time CNY specialties.
Now, let’s take a look at some of the highlights from the Dine-In Set Menus (from S$148++) and Online Exclusive Set Menus (from S$268++), which can cater to various party sizes. Will these dishes be good enough for family reunion dinners? Let’s find out!
No CNY set is complete without a medley of appetisers, am I right? The Platter of Treasures (perfect for 6 pax – à la carte), featuring 2 handmade starters, is a great way to awaken your appetite with the handmade bites.
In case you’re wondering, these are no ordinary crispy net rolls but 0tak-otak spring rolls. The crunchy net coating was light, stuffed with robust plant-based otak that had a perfect symmetry of spices. The thin perilla leaf wrapping — something I didn’t know I needed — added a unique, licorice-like note that elevated the dish.
Served with pineapple chunks, the crispy mayo cheeky monkey is made from monkeyhead mushrooms. It blew me away with its addictive texture. The mayo was creamy and citrusy while the fresh pineapple added a refreshing touch. There’s also an assortment of fresh, vibrant veggies like cordyceps flower and lily bulbs that are stir-fried with Australian asparagus to balance it out.
I was certainly fooled by the simple appearance of the Harmony of Nature. It’s a nutrient-rich medley of fresh makhana (prickly water lily seeds), tender lotus root, and sweet peas.
I learnt that makhana is a superfood known for its health benefits — they are white beads that resemble gingko nuts, but have a great chewy texture. As the makhana are fresh, they’re unique and are hard to obtain.
The dish is tossed with their homemade signature XO sauce, which imparted a mildly spicy and umami flavour that paired beautifully with the nutty notes of the lotus root. Though the presentation was low-key, the experience was truly exceptional.
This speciality is only available for a limited time, so don’t miss it!
Next up was the Blessings Pockets. 6 ‘coin pouches’ are hand-wrapped in beancurd skin, then fried to a lovely golden-brown. It’s smothered in a subtly sweet, thick gravy that is derived from the natural sweetness of the loofah that’s infused inside. Even without eating the loofah, the gravy is delicious to sip on its own.
Each bite reveals a hearty blend of shiitake mushrooms, chunky water chestnuts, and fresh, citrusy coriander. The soft textures of the loofah in the broth and other crunchier vegetables create layers of contrasting textures. Trust me, one wouldn’t be enough.
The Pearl Symphony is a steamed plant-based dish, something rarely seen. It boasts a dual mix of mushrooms — premium pearl oyster and king oyster. The former is grown organically in local farms and freshly foraged each morning. That’s why this exclusive dish has only limited quantities each day and early pre-ordering is recommended.
Whole Earth’s rendition of Thai fresh lime and mixed herbs sauce tastes just as good as — if not better than — the traditional versions made with fish sauce, lime, and garlic.
The thick and tender texture of the premium pearl mushrooms were delightfully earthy and juicy, soaking up the vibrant sweet and sour lime sauces. Every bite was flavourful, satisfying, and jolted my senses. The dish is also crowned with sliced lemongrass, strips of kaffir lime, coriander, and fresh chilli.
Besides new creations, a couple of signature favourites are added into the set as well. The Thai Sweet & Sour Delight features plant-based soy nuggets that’s fried till crispy and tossed in a zesty sauce. For those familiar with the popular classic traditional family dish, this plant-based version surpassed my expectations.
Relish in the complexity of Peranakan herbs and spices used for the Penang Rendang. The shiitake mushrooms are marinated in their house-made sambal chilli secret sauce, crafted from a delicate blend of Peranakan herbs and spices.
The rich, herbal flavours of this dish come from the intricate use of fresh, aromatic ingredients, giving it a bold aroma and depth of flavour. enveloped in a robust and aromatic viscous gravy that will get you hooked.
Final thoughts
My perception of plant-based food has totally changed after dining at Whole Earth. It looks like the chefs here have put their hearts and souls into finding the winning formula to create delicious dishes with finesse. Now, I truly understand why they have maintained their MICHELIN Bib Gourmand award since 2016 — well deserved, indeed!
So, the final verdict: Is this the perfect spot for your family’s reunion dinner? Absolutely, I’m already a convert!
The dishes are comforting and refined, with well-balanced flavours that appeal to all ages with something everyone will enjoy. Additionally, the style here leans towards Peranakan instead of the usual Chinese cuisine, giving an interesting alternative to classic CNY dishes.
Swing by Whole Earth this Lunar New Year and be impressed just like I was.
CNY2026 Celebration Specials:
- Self Pick-up: Enjoy $10 off (Min. order $200). T&Cs apply.
- Early Bird: Enjoy $6 off (Pre-book by 31 Jan 2026). T&Cs apply.
- Dine-in Voucher: Enjoy a $20 Voucher for your next visit (Limited to the first 80 customers who order set menus for 6 pax and above including delivery or self pickup). T&Cs apply.
Click here to make reservations or WhatsApp +65 6221 6583.
Bookings for 16 & 17 Feb and 3 Mar 2026 are accepted via phone only.
To enjoy them at home, click here for delivery.
Expected damage: S$53 – S$75 per pax
* This post is brought to you in partnership with Whole Earth.
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