Nyonya restaurants are increasingly popular these days. The Peranakan or Baba Nyonya community in Malaysia is known for their unique traditional dress, language, dance and architecture, as well as their delicious food.
Peranakan food, also known as Nyonya food, marries elements of local Malay cuisine with Chinese influences, as well as many other regional elements. The resulting food is delectable, and mouth wateringly wholesome. Here are some of the Nyonya restaurants you can find authentic Nyonya food:
Big Baba, Taman Desa
Big Baba has been described as one of the top ten Nyonya restaurants in KL, and it really does fit this description. When you’re searching for this restaurant, look out for its rustic blue exterior, complete with potted plants.
Some of their most popular dishes include Pong Teh braised chicken, Javanese Beef Rendang, Asam Pedas Tenggiri and Kapitan Curry. The place is in a corner of Taman Desa that’s not too busy, and great for families.
Address: 34, Jalan 2/109e, Taman Desa Business Park, 58100 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur
Website/Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/BigBabaTamanDesa/
Telephone no: 03-79877755
Opening Hours: 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., 5:00 – 9:00 p.m. (Closed on Mondays)
Sarang Cookery
In addition to just good, authentic food, Sarang Cookery is one of the Nyonya restaurants in KL that promises unforgettable experience. Nestled in a peaceful row of pre-war buildings in Jalan Galloway, you’ll find a Nyonya restaurant with a homey vibe.
One of their best sellers is their Nasi Ulam, which consists of rice served with 15 local herbs and vegetables, topped with dried prawns and fish. All the condiments are arranged so prettily around the rice, and you’ll be given a pair of rice paddles with which to mix the rice yourself into a colourful salad of sorts.
Apart from a wide selection of chicken, seafood and vegetables, you’ll also be able to order from their vegetarian menu which is free from mock meat and MSG. Some of the must-tries from this menu include Kerabu Boknee, a salad of wood ear fungus and kaduk leaves, as well as Pong Teh cooked with lion’s mane mushrooms.
Address: 8 Jalan Galloway, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Website/Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/sarangcookerymy
Telephone no: 012-332 7638
Opening hours: Tuesdays – Sundays, 11:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. (Closed on Mondays)
Nyonya.love Cafe
For those living in and around Kinrara, you can drop by this simple, fuss-free Nyonya cafe just next to Giant Hypermarket Kinrara. Nyonya.love serves mainly one plate meals for individuals, and they have a special dish of the day that changes every day.
You’ll have to check their Facebook regularly to know what their dish of the day is available, and what they’re serving if they do have it. Some of the previous dishes of the day they’ve served include Udang Goreng Asam, Golden Pomfret Cuan Cuan, and Mee Bodoh from Melaka.
Their ala carte menu that’s available daily include Ikan Pari Kuah Lada with rice, Nasi Lemak Rendang Ayam, Nyonya Laksa Lemak and many more. You can also enjoy their wide selection of Nyonya kuih, which sells out quite fast.
Address: B-LG-5, Eight Kinrara, Jalan BK 5A/1, Bandar Kinrara 47180 Puchong, Selangor, Malaysia.
Website/Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/nyonyalovecafe/
Telephone no: 018-989 9223
Opening hours: Tuesdays to Sundays, 11:00 a.m. – 7:30 p.m. (Closed on Mondays)
Tanjung Bunga Penang Nyonya Cuisine
Tanjung Bunga is another family run place that specialises in serving dishes with rice. It’s a long-time favourite of locals who gather at one of the top Nyonya restaurants in PJ to get their Peranakan fix.
Here, you’ll be able to find certain Peranakan dishes that are specialties of the North, like Ju Hu Char, consisting of braised Jicama with dried squid. Additionally, you can try their Nasi Ulam, Lobak and Kerabu Mango too.
If you’re eating here alone or prefer individual dishes, don’t worry as they also have one person rice and noodle sets, especially lunch sets priced at RM15 each.
Address: 117, Jalan SS2/6 47300 Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
Website/Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Tanjung-Bunga-Nyonya-Cuisine/189819457721747
Telephone no: 03-7877 4531
Opening hours: Fridays to Wednesdays, 11:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.; 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. (Closed on Thursdays)
Nyonya Pakay Bunga
There are many Nyonya restaurants around the Klang Valley. This is one of the newer ones that have just joined the scene. However, the level of their cooking is anything but amateurish.
In fact, we truly laud their skills. All their food tastes exactly like they’re coming from a true Peranakan bibik’s kitchen. Some of the menu items you should try here include the Nasi Lemak Rendang Ayam, Sambal Sotong, Gerang Asam Ikan Pari Belanga and Ikan Cencaru Cili Sumbat. As you can see, they specialise in seafood that’s prepared fresh daily.
Address: 61, Jalan Hujan, Taman Overseas Union, Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan, Malaysia 58200 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Website/Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Nyonya-Pakay-Bunga-103191195354983
Telephone no: 03-7972 9967
Opening hours: Tuesdays to Saturdays, 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. (Closed on Sundays and Mondays)
In conclusion, Nyonya food is generally very hearty, and is the best comfort food when you need it. The Nyonya restaurants in KL we’ve mentioned here are family run establishments that take care of their food quality and cleanliness as they cater to a limited crowd. Hopefully you’ll be able to visit these Nyonya restaurants when those cravings hit!
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