When the famous New York City restaurateur Danny Meyer stopped by Singapore recently, he bypassed its Michelin-starred joints and glitzy landmarks for a meal in the quiet residential enclave of Upper East Coast. There, in a cozy apartment that doubles as the private kitchen FatFuku, the Shake Shack founder was plied with some of the country’s tastiest Peranakan (a style of cooking that combines Chinese and Malay influences) and Eurasian cooking, alongside lashings of Singaporean hospitality. (“Surely that’s not all you’re eating—have some more lah!”)

As private kitchens mushroom around this cosmopolitan metropolis, they’re becoming efficient tools for visitors to quickly chip beyond the surface and get to the heart of a city that has a lot more to offer than Crazy Rich Asians. Here’s our round-up of the best five to put on your itinerary. Tip: Book months ahead to ensure a spot—as well as an experience you won't forget.

FatFuku

Meyer isn’t the only famous name who’s dined at host Annette Tan’s home—the veteran food writer has entertained many of Singapore’s top chefs and social media stars in her breezy apartment. The light, bright, loft-like space is on the top floor of a block that sits on a hill, with a lovely sea breeze that comes through the windows. A talented cook, she makes primarily Asian cuisine combined with European influences, and her dishes marry her mother's traditional recipes with her own ideas. (Ask for her delightfully buttery curry devil pie to be included in your menu.) In addition, she’s a trove of information on local ingredients and the latest in the dining scene. Make this your first stop if you need food recommendations for your stay.

From $70 per person (minimum six diners). Book here.

Lucky House Private Cantonese Kitchen

Also in the East Coast neighborhood is this shrine to slow food, where exacting owner Sam Wong grows his own vegetables; marinates and roasts his own ducks (each takes three days); and ages his own spices (think lychee peel that’s almost 30 years old). He's big on preserving and replicating heritage recipes and traditional ways of cooking, and he uses old-school techniques to make them. Your meal might take a while, but you can spend the time browsing Wong’s antique-filled home or marveling at the archaic tools he insists on using to prepare his food, like a rough-hewn stone mill for grinding nuts and grains.

From $75 per person (minimum eight diners; dinner only). Book here.

Ampang Kitchen Courtesy Ampang Kitchen

Ampang Kitchen

Take a seat at the outdoor dining area of this sprawling house in upscale Bukit Timah as chatty retired accountant Raymond Leong regales you with stories about his passion for food, and son David doles out punchy Penang-style dishes made with recipes handed down from his father. Expect lots of sharp, tasty Malaysian-influenced flavors here, like their satay bohong, which is a crowd favorite. Traditionally, satay is served with a peanut dip, but this more unusual version comes with the flavors marinated into the meat. Their homemade chendol, a dessert made with shaved ice, coconut milk, palm sugar syrup and rice flour jelly bits, is also delicious. The vast rotating menu of items means you can try something new every time you visit, though the rich, umami prawn noodles may mean you’ll never want to.