Chapters
- 01. Ayam Pongteh
- 02. Laksa Nyonya
- 03. Cendol
- 04. Ikan Gerang Asam
- 05. Angku Kuih
- 06. Pai Tee
- 07. Nyonya Acar Fish
- 08. Why Should You Cook?
Baba Nyonya, Peranakan and Straits Chinese, are the terms used to describe the group of people with an unique culture as a result of intermarriage between the Chinese migrants and the local women, mostly Malay during the British colonial era, forming a new bloodline.
Peranakan men are known as baba, while the women are known as nyonya. In Malaysia, the Peranakan culture has a stronghold presence and influence in the states of Melaka and Penang.
Their language is also unique where they speak the Baba-Malay Dialect: a mixture of Malay, English and Hokkien. Their traditional cuisine is a mixture of Chinese and Malay where they adopted Chinese cooking methods while using Malay ingredients or incorporating new ingredients to the existing dishes. This led to the creation of the many peranakan dishes we know today.
Cooking and serving Baba Nyonya cuisines can be a delightful experience as you get the opportunity to learn their culture and also enjoy their mouth-watering dishes. In this article, we will look at some of the popular Baba Nyonya food in Malaysia. If you would like to learn more about cooking, check out A Guide to Understanding Cooking.
Ayam Pongteh
Ayam Pongteh is a very popular Nyonya dish from Malacca. The use of basic ingredients and the simple and easy cooking process makes Ayam Pongteh a local favourite.
Basically, this is a braised chicken dish which is cooked together with potatoes in a gravy of taucheo sauce (fermented bean sauce), gula melaka and soy sauce.
In order preserve the flavour and texture of this dish, one must make sure the taucheo used is not too salty and crumbled as it is the base of this authentic cuisine.
Ayam pongteh is usually served with white rice and sambal belacan (red chilli paste) on the side. One of the plus points of this dish is that it tastes even better after being kept overnight.
Click here to check out the recipe!
Laksa Nyonya
Laksa is really popular among Malaysians, so much so that many states in the country has its own version of this dish. Some of the examples include asam laksa from Penang, laksa Sarawak, laksa Johor where each has its own unique local flavour and taste.
Nyonya laksa is considered unique because it has a rich coconut-based broth, cooked with chicken bones and prawn shells. It is usually served with thick rice noodles and toppings of bean curd puffs, bean sprouts, prawns, sliced fish cakes, hard-boiled egg and thinly sliced cucumbers.
This dish which is commonly referred to as “laksa lemak” (fatty laksa) is a wonderful treat for all.
Click here to check out the recipe!
Cendol
Cendol is a dessert made from shaved ice which is piled in a bowl and topped with red beans, green jelly made of rice flour and creamy coconut milk. Finally, the signature ingredient of this desert is added which is the gula melaka.
It serves as a delicious thirst quencher during scorching hot weather. Roadside vendors usually sell this desert not only in Melaka but all across Malaysia. It is also available at hawker centres and some restaurants.
Click here to check out the recipe!
Do you want to know more about Indian food in Malaysia? Check out Awesome Indian Dishes that is Loved By Everyone!
Ikan Gerang Asam
Ikan Gerang Asam is a classic Peranakan food that reflects the unique tastes of Nyonya's cuisine: sour, salty and spicy. It is often mistaken by many for asam pedas which is the Malay version of this dish.
The Nyonya version is more flavourful as it uses more root spice ingredients compared to the Malay version.
Fresh fish is boiled together with eggplant, tamarind, okra, bamboo starfruit, kaffir lime and so on to give an interesting taste and aroma. The tang and heat in the gravy is absorbed not only by the fish but also the assortment of vegetables in it. It is a fantastic dish that is eaten with rice.
Click here to check out the recipe!
Angku Kuih
The Nyonyas are well-known for their variety of kuih (popular snack in Southeast Asia) which comes in different, colours, shapes and forms. In Malaysia, these kuih are enjoyed during breakfast or afternoon tea.
One of the popular ones is the ang ku kuih or red tortoise cake. It is a hit among Malaysians due to its sweet taste and soft texture.
This traditional Chinese desert that has been passed down from generation to generation by the Peranakans. The skin of the angku is made of glutinous rice which has sticky texture and chewy when eaten. It is usually filled with green beans, red beans or mung beans paste and placed on a piece of banana leaf before steaming.
Click here to check out the recipe!
Pai Tee
Pai Tee is a type of pastry dish which is prominent in Penang and Malacca which is the hub of the Peranakan culture.
It is made of thin and crispy pastry tart shell that is usually filled with mixture of vegetables, chopped prawns, shredded turnips, yam bean, bamboo shoots, carrots, and a blend of spices. It is then topped with coriander leaves, omelette strips, and shrimps. Pai Tee is usually served with chilli sauce.
This Peranakan pastry closely resembles the Chinese Popiah or spring roll which uses similar fillings. The shape of Pai Tee may vary depending on the location. While Melaka’s Pai Tee resembles a top hat, in Singapore the pai tee looks like a cup.
Click here to check out the recipe!
Nyonya Acar Fish
This Peranakan specialty is referred to as Acar Hu in Hokkien is a mouthwatering cuisine.
Deep-fried fish pickled with a turmeric-vinegar base, spiced with garlic, ginger, and chilies to bring out the sweet and sour flavours. Ingredients such as garlic cloves and onions are also used as it complements the dish well.
The silver mullet is commonly used to make this dish. You can choose to use other types of fish like the red snapper but silver mullet is the recommended choice. The perfect balance of flavours makes this dish irresistibly tasty.
Click here to check out the recipe!
Why Should You Cook?
There are multiple reasons why you should cook at home or learn how to cook if you don’t posses this vital skills. It doesn’t matter if you are a student or a working adult with a busy schedule, you should consider cooking and preparing your own meals rather than eating out. We have listed out the three main benefits of cooking below:
Lead a Healthier Life
Preparing fresh food at home is definitely healthier than eating store bought frozen food or even processed food. You will also know what exactly you are consuming as you cooked the meal. You will naturally choose healthier options with more nutrients as opposed to restaurants or cafes that focus solely on flavour. This is why you end up eating more calories when you dine out where a starter dish can amount to over 1,000 calories.
Furthermore, you are able to decide on the appropriate portion size and have total control over the recipe. This will lead to a healthier diet and lower the risk of obesity.
Save Money
Going out for a meal or ordering food from the multiple food delivery services such as Grab Food and Food Panda is a costly affair. When you eat out, you tend to spend additional money on drinks and deserts as well. Let’s not forget the service charge and tips.
The cost of buying ingredients and cooking your own meals at home is definitely cheaper if you plan your meals and buy your ingredients at an affordable store. If you have the space, you can grow your own fruits and vegetables to save more.
Boost Self esteem
Cooking is a great option to build your self-esteem. Learning and perfecting recipes and serving delicious food to your family and friends can work wonders on your self-esteem. The gratifying feeling you get when you successfully cook a dish or when another person enjoys the food you prepared, will make you believe that you have the ability to master anything you want and it will boost your confidence.
Are you are a total beginner who feel inspired to learn cooking? Or are you looking to master a specific style of cooking? Superprof, one of the most popular online tutoring sites can help you.
You can find the best tutors to suit your needs. You can opt for physical or online learning sessions based on your preference. You can schedule your lessons to suit your convenience. Discuss with your tutors what times are the best fit for both of you.
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