Peranakan ladies were called Nyonyas while their male counterparts were labeled Babas. They retained many traditions and beliefs of their Chinese forefathers, and adopted many more from the local Malay community. Hokkien was enriched with Malay words, and the sarong and kebaya became everyday clothes for this emerging class. The Peranakan adapted – to the land and its colonial rulers.

The preparation and cooking of Nyonya food can be a laborious, meticulous and time-consuming affair. The grinding, blending, pounding, and marinating of the ingredients can take several hours. Typical Nyonya spices complemented by the subtle fragrance of lemongrass, lengkuas (galangal or wild ginger), kunyit (turmeric root), fresh or dried chillies, candlenuts, shallots, kaffir lime leaves, pandan (screwpine), daun salam (fresh bay leaves), daun kesum(Thai basil leaves),daun kunyit(turmeric leaves) and ginger buds are crucial in the

making of authentic Nyonya cuisine. Sauces made from coconut milk, tamarind seeds and curry pastes (freshly pounded with shallots, garlic, lemon grass, ginger and selected curry mix) is a testament of an excellent cooked meal at Nyonya Breeze.

At Nyonya Breeze, our dream is to keep these culinary secrets from becoming another history lesson, and to rekindle appreciation for authentic Penang Nyonya cuisine. Come over and we hope to share these special experiences with YOU ……