Author Mark W Sasse

Writing. History. Drama. Culture. Life.

And you’ve never had Nyonya Food?

The Peranankan Chinese or the Baba Nyonya describes the ‘Straits Chinese’ – those who settled in places like Penang, Malacca, and Singapore. As generations of Chinese made the Malay Peninsula their home, their food was diffused by Malay and Indian cuisine creating a wonderful hybrid which is truly unique and truly wonderful. You can get it nowhere else in the world, as far as I know. Here are a few dishes we had the other night in Malacca. Truly amazing!

It was unreal! Some of the very best I've ever had anywhere.
It was unreal! Some of the very best I’ve ever had anywhere.
These were going so fast I had to eat my only one without even noticing what was inside it. It was amazing!
These were going so fast I had to eat my only one without even noticing what was inside it. It was amazing!
A delicate fresh fish, cooked in a thin curry broth with lady fingers and chili. Wonderful!
A delicate fresh fish, cooked in a thin curry broth with lady fingers and chili. Wonderful!
Water spinach (kancang or rau muong) cooked with sambal - spicy, chili and fish paste concoction. So good!
Water spinach (kancang or rau muong) cooked with sambal – spicy, chili and fish paste concoction. So good!

Not Pictured: Mixed Vegetables and sambal shrimp (tastey!)

Nyonya food is not to be missed. It’s worth traveling to Malaysia just to experience it.

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