Nyonya Cuisine

Baba Nyonya

Never heard of ‘Baba Nyonya’?

Quick history lesson: During the 15^th and 16^th century, brave Chinese souls found their way to Malacca and Penang (you gotta go there if you haven’t). They settled there, married the locals and the Peranakan Chinese were born!

I won’t elaborate any further..…look out for a future post about Nyonya culture. This post is about stuffing your face! Now you will usually be in Malacca for two days max (weekend getaway). The town is rather small and there is plenty to do. I will only give you the 3 best places ever that you have to try!

Peranakan food, known as Nyonya cuisine is perhaps the most varied and unique of all local cuisines in Malaysia. This is because the cooking style is a marriage of traditional Chinese and Malay techniques. That’s why it’s so tasty! I warn you!!! My mouth is watering right now.

Longest Queue Ever! Kedai Kopi Chung Wah

You might want to get up early morning for this. The queue is ridiculous! I got so fed up waiting in line on three different occasions. This place is serious business. This could be arguably the most popular restaurant in Malacca. It’s located in the famous Jonker Walk street. They serve very famous Chicken Rice Balls and this is the only dish they serve!! Do not underestimate it at all. The long line of hungry people outside this shop speaks for itself.

Price Range: RM11.00 (depends on how many of you waited in the line)

Address: 18, Jalan Hang Jebat, Malacca

Opening Hours: 0730 – 1500 Daily

Home Cooked Glory! Nancy’s Kitchen

Next stop is Nancy’s Kitchen! I don’t know who Nancy is but her food is to die for! This is a family run restaurant so you will really feel the love when your mates spoon feed you again and again. Unfortunately, this is another spot which has long queues. You might be in line for an hour so try avoiding the busy times (6pm onwards).

Remember in my last post (link here), I told you about popiah. Now in Malacca, they love to eat something called Kueh Pie Tee. Let’s call this popiah’s great aunt….filled with goodness and all things wonderful: sliced up prawn/shrimp and veggies coated with sweet chilli and spices stuffed into perfectly golden brown deep fried rice flour shells. Find me a girl who makes this daily and I will marry her! True story! Must try!

I’m not done! Nancy’s signature dish is Ayam Nuah Keras (chicken candlenut). Passed down from generations, this chicken is cooked in candlenut and lemon grass. I DIED and went to chicken heaven when I tried this. When I got to heaven, there was more chicken candlenut to eat! That’s how good it is. AGAIN: Must try!

If you want an even more rad experience, Nancy herself holds cooking classes during weekdays. You can enquire when you get there! Make sure it’s during your semester break because it’s only during weekdays.

Price Range: RM 4.50 onwards (also depends on how many of you waited in the line)

Address: 7 Jalan Hang Lekir, Off Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock, 75200 Melaka, Malaysia

Opening Hours: 1100-1730 (2130 on public holidays and closed on *Tuesdays)

* they are closed on Tuesdays (Nancy needs to go to the spa or something)

Nyonyalicious! Baba Charlie Nyonya Cake

Authentic Nyonya deserts! This place is a bit difficult to find but once you have reached the Baba Charlie Nyonya Cake shop, you won’t regret getting lost. I also don’t know who Charlie is but bless his soul. It’s also a bit congested inside with some queuing and people rushing to grab any different type of kuih they can get their paws on. What is kuih? Bite sized sweets and treats! Ok? Good!

When you get here, you have to grab whatever kuih you can see. It’s best to get the Kuih Koo Merah, sticky glutinous rice flour that is wrapped around sweet fillings such as kaya. You can try the Bingka Ubi (steamed tapioca cake) too as it’s my favourite. There are so many different types of kuih here so good luck!