Baba Nyonya Traditional Foods

Nyonya Rice Dumpling (Nyonya Chang)

Rice dumplings are started from China, many overseas Chinese have adjusted their country local flavor into their version of rice dumpling. Nyonya rice dumpling (Nyonya Chang) is a version created by the Peranakan community, whose cooking combines both traditional Chinese and localized Malay ingredients. Traditionally, Nyonya-style rice dumplings have a touch of blue in them. This natural blue color is obtained from the blue pea flowers (butterfly pea flowers or Bunga telang).

It is both sweet and delicious at the same time, as candied winter melon is added into the filling together with the meat.

Nyonya Laksa

Laksa Lemak, also known as Nyonya laksa (Malay: Laksa Nyonya), is a type of laksa with creamy coconut gravy. Lemak is a culinary description in the Malay language which especially refers to the presence of coconut milk which adds unique plenty to a dish. As the name implies, it is made with rich, slightly sweet and strongly spiced coconut dressing. Laksa Lemak is usually made with a fish-based gravy (with vegetarian food stalls omitting fish) and is heavily inspired by Thai laksa (Malay: Laksa Thai).

Nyonya Kuih

Nyonya Kuih (kuih is a term for Malay cakes) is a bite-sized dessert that is both colorful and sweet. Kuih is widely popular among people of all ages. Some of the Nyonya Kuih are steamed or grilled. The most popular Nyonya Kuih is Ondeh-ondeh (or onde-onde). It is either made from sweet potato or glutinous rice flour. The ondeh-ondeh are infused with pandan (screwpine leaf) juice and are filled with Gula Melaka (local sugar) or palm sugar and then were rolled with some freshly grated coconut. When you take a bite, the palm sugar that is in it will burst in your mouth and the warm dessert will ooze into your mouth.

References

Jones, C. (2011). Snapshots from Malaysia: How to Make Curry Laksa (Nyonya Laksa).

Retrieved 25 June 2020, from https://www.seriouseats.com/2011/08/snapshots-from-malaysia-how-to-make-laksa-curry-lemak-noodle-soup.html

Liew, A. (2015). Nyonya Rice Dumplings Recipe (Zong Zi) 娘惹粽子 | Huang Kitchen.

Retrieved 25 June 2020, from https://www.huangkitchen.com/nyonya-rice-dumplings/

Mok, O. (2016). Malaysian kuih: A marriage of flavours and cultures | Malay Mail.

Retrieved 25 June 2020, from https://www.malaymail.com/news/eat-drink/2016/03/27/malaysian-kuih-a-marriage-of-flavours-and-cultures/1087719

Where to visit?

Penang Nyonya Culture is a place or shop that are selling Baba and Nyonya inspired items, as known as Peranakan. The shop is selling collectables, prints, kebaya, sarong, kerongsang, beads shoe and souvenir that are related to Peranakan culture. The Penang Nyonya Culture was formed with the mission to continue the legacy of Baba and Nyonya culture in Malaysia, to bring the culture’s craft to international level and let all the individuals to get to know more about the culture of Baba and Nyonya.

Penang Nyonya Culture was established on 29th March of the year of 2018. The business founded by Kenny Loh himself, a Penang-born and self-learned artist that dedicated and passionate in Baba and Nyonya-inspired crafts, designs and paintings.

Contact:

Address: Hotel Jen Penang La Lobby Arcade, Jalan Magazine 10300 Penang.

(Will be moving to 100 Kimberly Street in July 2020)

Email: penang.nyonya.culture@gmail.com

Peranakan Culture

The Peranakans or Peranakan Chinese are early immigrants from China. Peranakan culture, especially in the Peranakan centres of Malacca, Singapore, and Penang, is portrayed by its unique hybridization of ancient Chinese culture. Peranakan culture in Penang uses a mixture of Hokkien and Malay.

Penang Peranakans mainly speak Hokkien with some Malay words. The Peranakan style of cooking consists of both Chinese and Malay elements. However, in Penang, some of the Peranakan cuisines consist of Thai elements, such as the sweet and sour flavours. Ranging from cuisines to language and clothing, the Peranakan Chinese have produced a fusion of cultures that represent a true symbol of Penang’s rich multi-cultural diversity.

References

JENKINS, J. (2018). Things to do in Penang: The Blue Mansion vs The Peranakan Mansion.

Retrieved 25 June 2020, from https://www.anepiceducation.com/things-to-do-in-penang-blue-mansion-peranakan-mansion/

PERANAKAN.

Retrieved 25 June 2020, from https://mypenang.gov.my/culture-heritage/heritage-zones/peranakan/

The Art and Craft of the Peranakan Culture

Nyonya beadwork and embroidery are complex craft patterns connected with the Peranakan culture and can be found in decorations for everyday household items, as well as more exquisite pieces for special occasions such as weddings.

Nyonya beadwork uses coloured glass and metal seed beads that are 1mm to 2mm in diameter. The most used beads are the rocaille (round beads with no flat sides) and charlotte (facet-cut) glass seed beads. They may be stitched individually and strung on a thread that is fastened on the fabric with a second thread (bead couching) or sewn to the fabric one or two at a time (lane stitching).

Nyonya embroidery is similar to Chinese embroidery tradition because it uses the same materials, themes, and stitching techniques. Threads of all shades are used, as well as metal purls and bullion, which are “very fine spring-like threads that are hollow through the centre”.

One of the most iconic items is the beaded slipper, also known as kasut manek. The beaded slipper is worn by the Nyonya people to complete their look with the kebaya outfit. The shoe is made from delicate and colourful beads, this stylish footwear receives great compliments among the people on special occasions. The delicate workmanship that goes into the process of making the beaded shoes are accomplished by Peranakan woman who put effort into stitching the individual beads into the shoes.

Next, we have the kebaya, which is considered to derive from the Malay, Baju Panjang. The clothing uses a soft and sheer fabric as a base material and different types of stitches are used to create the patterns on the fabric. The clothing also features two triangular front panels known as, “lapik”, that fall over the hips. Similar to the Nyonya beadwork, the embroidery patterns give off European vibes in their use of floral and animal themes.

References

NG, S. (2019). 7 Heritage Crafts To Learn Before They Disappear Forever.

Retrieved 25 June 2020, from https://www.harpersbazaar.com.sg/life/heritage-crafts-learn-before-they-disappear/

Nyonya beadwork and embroidery.

Retrieved 25 June 2020, from https://www.roots.sg/learn/resources/ich/nyonya-beadwork-and-embroidery