Peranakan cuisine

Peranakan cuisine
Buah Keluak
A bowl of Penang asam laksa

Peranakan or Nonya cuisine combines Chinese, Malay and other influences into a unique blend.

Peranakans are descendants of early Chinese migrants who settled in Penang, Malacca, Indonesia and Singapore, inter-marrying with local Malays. The old Malay word nonya (also spelled nyonya), a term of respect and affection for women of prominent social standing (part “madame” and part “auntie”), has come to refer to the cuisine of the Perakanans.

Nonya cooking is the result of blending Chinese ingredients and wok cooking techniques with spices used by the Malay/Indonesian community. The food is tangy, aromatic, spicy and herbal. Key ingredients include coconut milk, galangal (a subtle, mustard-scented rhizome similar to ginger), candlenuts as both a flavoring and thickening agent, laksa leaf, pandan leaves (Pandanus amaryllifolius), belachan, tamarind juice, lemongrass, torch ginger bud, jicama, fragrant kaffir lime leaf, rice or egg noodles and cincaluk - a powerfully flavored, sour and salty shrimp-based condiment that is typically mixed with lime juice, chillies and shallots and eaten with rice, fried fish and other side dishes.

There are regional variations in Nonya cooking. Dishes from the island of Penang in the northern part of Peninsular Malaysia show Thai influences, such as more liberal use of tamarind and other sour ingredients. Dishes from Singapore and Malacca show a greater Indonesian influence, such as the use of coconut milk. A classic example is laksa (a spicy noodle soup), which comes in two variants: the sour asam laksa from Penang and the coconut milk-based laksa lemak from Singapore and the southern regions of Peninsular Malaysia.

The unique flavor of laksa and other Nonya recipes is determined by the rempah, a combination of spices pounded into a paste with pestle and mortar, with a very specific texture and density. It is said that a nonya can determine the culinary skill of a new daughter-in-law simply by listening to her preparing rempah with a mortar. Nonya recipes are handed down from one generation to the next, and because of the time-consuming preparation of these dishes, it is a cuisine that is often at its best when served at home. Laksa is a notable exception to this rule.

Examples of Nonya specialities include otak-otak, a popular blend of fish, coconut milk, chilli paste, galangal, and herbs wrapped in a banana leaf;[1] Ayam Buah Keluak, a distinctive dish combining chicken pieces with nuts from the Pangium edule or kepayang tree to produce a rich sauce; and Itek Tim, a classic soup containing duck, tomatoes, green peppers, salted vegetables, and preserved sour plums simmered gently together.

Nonya desserts include colourful cakes (kuih) and sweet, sticky delicacies.

References

  1. ^ Eveland, Jennifer (2007). Frommer's Singapore & Malaysia. Frommer's. p. 98. ISBN 9780470100493. 

Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем написать курсовую

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Peranakan — (Straits Chinese) 峇峇娘惹 土生華人 Total population 7,000,000 (estimates)[1] Regions with significant populations Indonesia, Singapore, Brunei, Malaysia …   Wikipedia

  • Cuisine of Singapore — The cuisine of Singapore is often viewed by people as a prime example of the ethnic diversity of the culture of Singapore. The food is heavily influenced by Malay, Chinese, Indian (specifically southern Indian styles), Indonesian, and even… …   Wikipedia

  • Cuisine of Malaysia — Malaysian cuisine reflects the multi racial aspects of Malaysia. Various ethnic groups in Malaysia have their dishes but many dishes in Malaysia are derived from multiple ethnic influences. Ingredientstaple foodsRice tends to be a staple food in… …   Wikipedia

  • Singaporean cuisine — A hawker centre in Lavender, Singapore Singaporean cuisine is indicative of the ethnic diversity of the culture of Singapore, as a product of centuries of cultural interaction owing to Singapore s strategic location.[1] …   Wikipedia

  • Malaysian cuisine — Life in Malaysia Culture Cuisine Demographics Economy Education Ethnic groups Film Health Holidays Languages Literature …   Wikipedia

  • Chinese Indonesian cuisine — Nasi Tim Ayam Nasi campur Chinese Indonesian version …   Wikipedia

  • Asian cuisine — Beef noodle soup Asian cuisine styles can be broken down into several regional styles that have roots in the peoples and cultures of those regions. The major types can be roughly defined as East Asian with its origins in Imperial China and now… …   Wikipedia

  • Indonesian cuisine — See also: List of Indonesian dishes Example of Indonesian Sundanese meal; roasted fish, nasi timbel (rice wrapped in banana leaf), fried chicken, sambal, fried tempeh and tofu, and sayur asem; the bowl of water with lime is kobokan …   Wikipedia

  • Jawi Peranakan — The Jawi Peranakan were an elite group within the Malay community in mid nineteenth century Malaya. The term Jawi Peranakan referred to locally born Muslims of mixed Indian (especially Tamil) and Malay ancestry. In addition to their substantial… …   Wikipedia

  • Malay cuisine — Nasi lemak, one of the most popular Malay dishes. Malay cusine is the cuisine of Malay people of Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Brunei and Southern Thailand. Different Malay regions are all known for their unique or signature dishes Terengganu… …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”