Experiencing the delights of Nyonya Cuisine in Kuching
Looking for traditional Nyonya food in Kuching? As hard to please Foodies, were very impressed by the delicious food at Nyonya Kitchen by Sonia. It was the most memorable meal we had in Sarawak! If you have yet to experience Nyonya flavours, you should expect fragrant spices, flavourful stews, and lots of variety.
Whilst visiting family in the City of Kuching, the capital and the most populous city in Sarawak Malaysia, we were taken on the most delicious food tour only locals can do!
We tasted local Sarawak foods such as Sarawak Laksa (a savoury spicy noodle dish that is unique as it has a blend of spices, aromatics, herbs, tamarind paste, and creamy coconut milk), Kolo Mee (dry noodles tossed in a savoury pork and shallot mixture, topped off with fragrant fried onions), and Kacang Ma (Motherwort Chicken) but the most memorable meal was on our final evening when we were taken to Nyonya Kitchen By Sonia and enjoyed a feast of traditional Nyonya home cooking.
What is Nyonya food?
Nyonya food, also known as Peranakan cuisine, is a fusion of Chinese, Malay, and Indonesian cooking techniques and ingredients. It’s known for its use of spices, herbs, and aromatics, and is often described as tangy, spicy, and aromatic.
Is Nyonya food spicy?
Nyonya food can be spicy, but it also tastes sweet, salty, and sour. There is a balance of flavours, so chili spice isn’t a dominant one.
What does Nyonya mean?
Nyonya (also spelled nyonyah or nonya) is a Malay and Indonesian honorific used to refer to a ‘foreign married lady’. It is a loan word, borrowed from the old Portuguese word for lady donha. Many Peranakans trace their origins to 15th-century Malacca, where their ancestors were thought to be Chinese traders who married local women. Peranakan men are known as baba, while the women are known as Nonya (or Nyonya).
Our meal at Nyonya Kitchen by Sonia
As guests with little knowledge of Nyonya food, we asked our hosts to select the dishes from the extensive menu. The result was a delicious array of starters and mains with a range of flavours to pick and choose from.
As you can see from the pictures above we were spoilt for choice and this wasn’t all the food! The food was served as it was ready, as with most Asian restaurants, so at some point, we were busy eating and chatting and began to neglect the photos!
See the photo captions for the names of the dishes. We had a selection of seafood and meat dishes, all with balanced flavours, and came in large portions. We had so much left over that it was taken home for lunch the next day.
The only part of the meal we felt a little disappointed by was desserts. They felt like an afterthought, and we had much better Chendol at street food hawker stalls around Kuching.
The decor in Nyonya Kitchen is absolutely stunning! Using local materials and drawing from Peranakan culture, the dining room is a colourful delight with so many details to explore and admire. The fabulous mural is eye-catching and captures the essence of Nyonya’s kitchen. The abacus wall is a fun addition, making a 3D display art piece that adds interesting textures to the feature wall. There are also displays of family photos and vintage lamps and fans which make you feel like you’ve been welcomed into a family living room.
The staff are attentive and we enjoyed the chilled vibe of the restaurant. It was a fairly quiet midweek evening, but it’s sure to be busy at weekends and during festive times so be sure to make a reservation.
Overall Food: 9/10
Value for Money: We didn’t pay, but menu prices are affordable.
Service: 8/10
Atmosphere: 8/10
How to find them
Address: In Front of The Banquet Restaurant – Sublot 15,16, 17, Jalan Datuk Tawi Sli, The 3rd Exchange Commercial Centre, Kuching, MalaysiaPhone: +60 18-989 5656Email: jc.orientalhcsb23@gmail.comNyonya Kitchen by Sonia Socials