A Taste of Baba Nyonya Cuisine

Baba and Nyonya cuisine is special in its way because has its very own taste in every dish. The dishes are mainly a combination of Chinese and Malay cuisine as the culture itself consist of Chinese and Malay influence. Majority of their dishes consist of various spices from dry chili, curry powder, turmeric, lemon grass, cinnamon and many more.

Source: http://swanandyoga.com/ease-into-fall-with-ayurveda-part-ii-detox/indian-spices-picture/

Baba and Nyonya dishes takes a lot of preparation before cooking. This is because Nyonyas are very particular when it comes cooking. Many of their recipes are passed down from generation to generation until today.

The picture above shows an appetizer called sambal bende. It is ladies finger topped with sambal to produce an appetizing flavour to start off the meal. 

Next is a main dish called Ayam Buah Keluak. This dish is special because it is cooked with the keluak fruit. the spicy and sour taste of this dish also gives a twist of flavour when it is consumed.

Nyonya also have their very own version of Rendang chicken. The difference of the Malay Rendang and the Nyonya Rendang is within the ingredients and the style of cooking.

The dish above is also a very famous dish called Udang masak Lemak Nanas. It is prawns cooked with pineapples, coconut milk and a special spice paste.

Sambal Kangkung is also a very famous dish in the Baba Nyonya cuisine. 

For dessert, Cendol is a signature dish for the Baba And Nyonya culture. It is mainly shaved ice topped with   cendol and molten brown sugar(gula melaka).

Appart from main dishes and desserts, Baba Nyonya is also famous for its cakes or some whould like to call it "kuih". There are many types of kuih that can be found mostly everywhere in Melaka.

Source: http://cuppiecorner.cookingmomster.com/?p=172

 Kuihs like kuih gengang, ondeh-ondeh, lepat rempah udang and pulut seri kaya are a few of the common kuihs that can be found.

Source: http://nyonyaperanakan.com/nyonya-food/nyonya-kuih