Did you know? We had our version of fusion cuisine, called Nyonya cuisine. That’s long before fusion food became a thing in Malaysia. If you haven’t tried it, here’s your chance to taste some really good Nyonya food in Klang Valley.
The origins of Nyonya cuisine trace back to the Chinese immigrants who landed in Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia in the 15th century, bringing with them a variety of culinary traditions and influences.
The outcome is a mixture of standard components in Chinese and Southeast Asian cuisines. Examples include five-spice powder, soy sauce, and fermented soybeans from China; coriander, galangal, lemongrass, and kaffir lime from Southeast Asian cuisine.
Baba Low’s
In Bangsar, it is in the middle of a lot of homes. Baba Low’s specialises in Malaccan-Peranakan food. One of their best-known dishes is the Nyonya Laksa, which has a lot of fish. All of the soup has a strong and bold taste that will send you back in time. It’s also a good idea to try Mee Siam and Nyonya Style Fried Noodles. Pongteh Chicken, Cendol, and Mee Siam are some of the other menu items that you should try. For something light, you can have the Pai Tee.
Where to find Baba Low’s: 11, Lorong Kurau, Bangsar, 59100 Kuala Lumpur
Opening Hours: 7am – 10pm
Limapulo: Baba Can Cook
In the popular neighbourhood of Chow Kit, there is a restaurant called Limapulo: Baba Can Cook that serves the best Nyonya Laksa. Laksa made by them won the “Best Curry Laksa” award at the Star Food Awards in 2015. A true-blood Baba Nyonya uncle named Uncle John owns the restaurant, and he runs it well. When Uncle John talks about Limapulo, he says that his family has made it for years. Also, they make great satays, chicken pong teh, and cendol there.
Where to find Limapulo: Baba Can Cook: 50, Jalan Doraisamy, Chow Kit, 50300 Kuala Lumpur
Opening Hours: 11.30am – 3pm, 5.30pm – 9.30pm closed on Sundays
Kampung Contemporary Dining (Non-Halal)
If you don’t want to drive to Melaka or Penang, you can have all the best food in the Klang Valley without leaving the area. Here are the top 10 Nyonya restaurants in no particular order.
A husband and wife have run an Asian restaurant called Kampung Contemporary Dining with Melaka family heritage. The restaurant serves traditional Melaka food with a modern twist. You can expect to find dishes like Braised Pork Pongteh and Siu Yuk Pork Lard Nasi Lemak at this cosy eatery. You can also expect to find dishes like Melaka Pork Satay and Braised Pork Pongteh there.
Where to find Kampung Contemporary Dining: 11, Jalan 17/45, Seksyen 17, 46400 Petaling Jaya
Opening Hours: 10.30am – 9pm, closed on Tuesdays
Restoran Sri Nyonya
If you want Penang Nyonya food like your grandmother used to make, this is the place to go. Sri Nyonya is one of the oldest Nyonya restaurants in the city, and it has been around for a while. Sri Nyonya’s, which opened in 1986, is a family-run restaurant that still uses recipes passed down through the years. Suppose you want to try many different Nyonya recipes. In that case, some of the must-haves are Nasi Ulam, Gulai Tumis Curry, Chicken Kapitan and Perut Ikan.
Where to find Restoran Sri Nyonya: 14, Jalan 22/49, 46300 Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
Opening Hours: 12pm – 2.30pm, 6pm – 930pm, closed on Mondays
Big Baba
To get a taste of what it’s like to eat in a Peranakan home, Big Baba is one of the places you should go. This small restaurant has a very old-fashioned and nostalgic feel to it. The decor and furniture are very similar to the Peranakan homes in Melaka. These are some of the best-known dishes: Ayam Buah Keluak, Portuguese Curry Debael, Itik Tim, Itik Tim, Udang Masak Lemak, and Nyonya Braised Chicken.
Where to find Big Baba: 34, Jalan 2/109E, Desa Business Park, Taman Bukit Desa, Off Old Klang Road, Kuala Lumpur
Opening Hours: 11am – 3pm, 5pm – 9pm, closed on Mondays
Nyonya Roof Private Kitchen
If you want to eat at the Nyonya Roof Private Kitchen, you’ll have to make a reservation before you go. People can’t just walk in. They only have about five tables, and they aren’t open to the public. People also need to order their food ahead of time. People think it’s hard, but it’s worth it because you get to eat home-cooked Nyonya food in a cosy home setting. You must have three things: Kerabu Pucuk Paku, Rempah Chicken, and Pai Tee. Do check out their Facebook page for a list of the food they serve.
Where to find Nyonya Roof Private Kitchen: 43, Jalan SS19/1 47500 Subang Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
Opening Hours: 12pm – 3pm, 6pm – 10pm, daily
Nyonya Colors
For their kuih-much, Nyonya Colors is best known in KL. You can find them in major shopping malls in the city, like Suria KLCC, Mid Valley, 1 Utama, and more, and you can buy their food there. Kuih Talam, Ketakap, Pulut Tai Tai, and Lapis Pandan are the most popular ones, but there are many others. They also have Nasi Lemak Pandan, Chee Cheong Fun, and Nasi Kunyit with Curry Chicken.
Ginger Roots Restaurant
Ginger Roots Restaurant cooks tasty Nyonya and Peranakan food that will leave you feeling full and happy at the end of your meal. The restaurant’s layout is simple and cosy, with a lot of old and vintage decor. You should try Chili Garam Fish if you can handle the heat. It’s fish that has been deep-fried and topped with their own special Cili Garam sauce. Do not forget to try some of their specialities, like Ayam Buah Keluak, Rendang Ong, and Otak Otak, as well. Finally, wash down your meal with a bowl of ice cream.
Where to find Ginger Roots Restaurant: 87, Jalan Hujan Emas 8, Taman OUG, Kuala Lumpur
Opening Hours: 11.30am – 3pm, 6pm – 10pm, closed on Mondays
Kakatoo
It is one of the cafes where you can get real Nyonya Kampung food. They use recipes passed down to the owner by her grandmother, which also shows that they have Peranakan roots. Kakatoo Cafe has a lot of traditional Malaysian and Nyonya food. Noodles, rice, snacks, and desserts are some foods you will find there. This dish isn’t the only thing you should try from them. Their Nasi Kerabu comes with a homemade acar.
Where to find Kakatoo: B-G-1, Ground Floor, Ativo Plaza No.1, Jalan PJU 9/1, Damansara Avenue, Bandar Sri Damansara, 52200 Kuala Lumpur
Opening Hours: 8.30am – 10pm
Tanjung Bungah Nyonya (Non Halal)
If you’re tired of the same old Chinese Tai Chow dinner, Tanjung Bungah Nyonya might be an excellent place to go for a change. In this restaurant, the food is mainly in the style of Penang’s Nyonya. These are some of the Nyonya dishes they serve, like curry fish head with garupa, paku pakis, pickled swim bladder curry, and many more. If you don’t like the look of this place, don’t bother. The food is worth the trip.
Where to find Tanjung Bungah Nyonya: 129, Jalan SS 2/6, SS 2, 47300 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Opening Hours: 12pm – 3pm & 6pm – 10pm
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