Nyonya (Peranakan) cuisine is one of South East Asia’s most tasty and exotic cuisines found in Malaysia and Singapore. Along to help us discover Nyonya cuisine is Penang-born Bee Lee Tan, a Cooking Teacher at TAFE College in Perth and cookbook author of “Penang Nyonya Cuisine: Hawker’s Delight”.
Exploring Nyonya Cuisine – Part 1
Exploring Nyonya Cuisine – Part 2
The Peranakan people are an interracial group originally formed 3-4 generations ago by southern Chinese marrying local Malays in Malaya. Due to the intermarriage of these 2 ethnic groups, the Peranakans started to combine the Chinese and Malay-style of cooking to suit their tastes which eventually was blended into pure perfection.
Typical ingredients in Nyonya cuisine are lemongrass, lime leaf, tamarind paste, shrimp paste, chilli, turmeric, and more; which were all grown in their backyards. As they were self-sufficient and were quite happy to exchange surplus ingredients with their neighbours, they formed a unique food culture of their own.
There are 3 main city centres in the world where modern-day Nyonya cuisine can be found – Penang and Melaka in Malaysia, as well as in Singapore. Even though those cities and countries are relatively close to each other, there are different variations in this cuisine. Melaka and Singapore’s Nyonya cuisine are more savoury, where as Penang’s Nyonya cuisine is hotter and more sour due to Thai influences.
Bee Lee Tan is available for private cooking classes and Nyonya food catering anywhere in the Perth metropolitan area. If you would like to enquire about these classes or about her cookbook “Penang Nyonya Cuisine: Hawker’s Delight” containing many delicious and authentic Nyonya recipes, please contact the Wandering Gourmet and we will forward her details to you.
As Bee Lee Tan says, “Nyonya food has an incredibly special blend of flavours that no other cuisine has. You have to try it to believe it!“
{ 16 comments… read them below or add one }
ooer! tell me about her cookbook. I love Penang Nyonya om nom nom.
“Penang Nyonya Cuisine: Hawker’s Delight” is quite a good book with loads of recipes ranging from sauces, appetisers, and dessert. It is also really informative which is great for beginners.
I know that you’re a Vegan, so you’ll be happy to know that there are recipes suitable for both vegans and vegetarians without having to omit the meat in a normal recipe. There’s even a recipe for how to make fake meat. Go figure. :p
I don’t mind having to change/edit for meat, but that’s still cool to know.
How would I find her book?
I’ve just sent you an email with details on how to get the book
Wow! I feel like i have had a review, a history lesson and a cooking class all in one
. I think cultural food is fascinating and you truly captured the importance, the richness and tradition within this post. Well done.
Thanks Anya!
Interesting
this is a excellent cookbook….i have been to bee lee cooking class and have enjoyed the experience of nyonya cuisine.
Interesting post, Angie! I just came across your blog and I would love a link to it from our site, Foodista.com. Here’s how you can create inbound links from our site using our Blogger tools. Also feel free to share any recipes and tips with us. Thanks!
Hi Angie,
Could I please have the details on how to get the book? I’m based in Melbourne. Thanks.
Could you please supply me with details for obtaining Bee Lee’s book? Her blog site is no longer active.
many thanks.
Hi Suz, I have just emailed you back regarding the details on how to get Bee Lee’s book
Does Ms Tan has a restaurant in Perth?
No, Bee Lee Tan does not have a restaurant in Perth. I believe she used to have a restaurant but I’m not sure whether that was in Malaysia or in Australia. At the moment her working goal is to do cooking classes and demos at events and stuff to showcase Nyonya cuisine.
Angie, could you please send me the details on how I can buy Bee Lee’s book? Many thanks, Alex.
Hi Angie– this is rather late as I’ve been reading older entries, but I was wondering if I could please get Bee Lee Tan’s book details? I’m based in Perth. Many thanks.