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Nyonya cooking is peculiar only to the Chinese of Penang, Malacca and
Singapore. “Nyonya” is a word used to describe a Chinese lady who has
adopted the Malay dressing and cooking while maintaining the Chinese
culture. Much of Nyonya cooking is inspired by the rich spices of Malay
cooking featuring local leaves and fruits for that extra flavour. It is
outstanding for its strong curries and flavour some spiced salads like Acar
and Kerabu. The nyonya deserts and cakes are also hot favourites.
Cendol
Cendol is a favourite desert among locals. It is easily identified – green
pandan flavoured noodles in white coconut milk with brown sugar and red
beans. Sweet heavenly stuff, super cheap and ultra good.
For the best cendol in town (in no particular order): off Penang Road,
opposite of the Police Headquarters; Lorong Selamat; Swatow Lane hawker
centre in the afternoons; Kek Seng in Penang Road; and Gurney Drive hawker
center in the evenings.
Laksa
The famous Penang Laksa is extremely popular, especially among ladies for
its spicy, sweet, and sour taste. This is strictly a hawker fare, as one is
unlikely to find great laksa in any fancy restaurant. It is basically coarse
rice noodles in a sour based fish soup with assam, sprinkled with shavings
of 'bunga kantang', onions, sliced chilli, cucumber and pineapple; topped
with thick black fish paste.
There is a different variant called the Siam Laksa, which is made of a
coconut milk based soup with fish. A protein/vitamin rich and low fat dish,
the Laksa is normally served as a snack.
For the best laksa in town (in no particular order): Ayer Itam – beside the
wet market from 3:00pm to 9:00pm; Balik Pulau near the wet market from
morning to afternoon; Lorong Selamat in the afretnoons; Gurney Drive hawker
stalls in the evenings; and Lorong Kuching, Pulau Tikus coffee shop fom 6:30
to 10:00pm.
Time always for Laksa: The writer takes her discerning palate stall-hopping
to shortlist her top three choices for the best Penang Laksa.
Lobak
Lobak is rolls of pork wrapped with bean curd skin and deep fried until
crispy. The Lobak is usually accompanied by companions such as prawn
fritters, preserved century eggs, fish fritters, octopus, fried beancurd,
spring rolls, and cucumber with chili and gravy for dipping. Suitable for
snack or as an appetiser.
For the best lobak in town (in no particular order): New Lane coffee shop
off Macalister Road in the evenings; Sisters’ coffee shop off Macalister
Road, near Perak Road junction from 9:00am to 3.00pm; Lorong Selamat; and
Gurney Drive.
Nyonya Cakes
Nyonya cakes include kuih talam, kuih lapis, thor tau kuih, ondek-ondek,
kuih koay see and koay beng kang.
For the best nyonya cakes in town (in no particular order): Near the Ayer
Itam wet market in the mornings; Pulau Tikus wet market in the mornings; and
behind of Penang Plaza in Burma Road during the afternoons.
Nyonya Dishes
Must try Nyonya dishes are kiam chye boay, joo hoo char, otak-otak (photo
right), acar raveet, perut ikan, asam prawn, asam pedas and curry kapitan.
For the best nyonya dishes in town (in no particular order): Jaws at Gurney
Drive; Hot Wok, Gurney Plaza; and Nyonya Secrets, Service Road.
Our exotic local cuisines for Malay cuisine, Chinese gourmet and Indian Cookery
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