A Malaysian chef's Michelin-starred restaurant in Singapore is celebrating Nusantara cuisine. Kevin Wong opened his acclaimed restaurant Seroja in 2022 after a decade of cooking French, American, Japanese, and Korean food. Wong wanted to create a restaurant that reflected his Malaysian upbringing, but he lacked the knowledge of traditional Malaysian cuisine. Instead, he drew inspiration from the food he grew up eating, guided by his professional training in culinary techniques. Seroja quickly gained recognition, earning a Michelin star within a year of opening and ranking #31 on the Asia's 50 Best Restaurants list in 2024. The restaurant showcases Wong's fusion of culinary pedagogy and cultural heritage. Wong's journey began in Klang, Selangor, where he was exposed to a vibrant culinary scene, including banana leaf meals and dishes like asam pedas and otak-otak. At 18, he embarked on his first flight to France to attend catering school, later moving to the US and working at a high-pressure restaurant called Coi in San Francisco. Despite the intense work environment, Wong's team achieved three Michelin stars in a year. He then worked in a three-Michelin-starred restaurant in Japan before returning to Singapore, where he transformed Meta into a Michelin-starred culinary hotspot. At 27, Wong realized he had been cooking others' food and decided to open Seroja, embracing his local ingredients and cultural roots. The restaurant's menu features a fusion of Malaysian and Nusantara flavors, with dishes like Fish Floss with Raita & Mint, Slow-Cooked Octopus with Shrimp Sambal in Sesame Pie Tee, and Braised Beef Tripe & Cheek with Rice Ball in Chicken Broth. The non-alcoholic pairing menu, featuring dishes like Infusion of Chestnut, Watercress & Lotus Root Aged in Apple Wood Barrel and Pomegranate, Mulberries & Curry Leaves, showcases innovative use of local ingredients. Seroja's address is 7 Fraser Street, Duo Galleria, Singapore 189356, and it operates Tuesday to Thursday from 6 pm to 11 pm, Friday to Saturday from noon to 2.30 pm and 6 pm to 11 pm.
