The Little Nyonya (Peranakan Restaurant)

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Celebrating the birthday of a member of the ‘Motley Crew’. This time, we went to ‘The Little Nyonya’ for Peranakan food.

“Peranakan” in Malay and Indonesian means “local-born” or ‘descendant,” referring to people of mixed Chinese and Malay/Indonesian heritage, particularly those born in the Straits Settlements (Singapore, Penang, and Melaka) or former British Malaya.

Male Peranakans are referred to as “Baba” whereas females and the culture in general of this matriarchal community are addressed as “Nyonya”.

I had a look at their menu online before we went to the restaurant. From what I can see, I wasn’t impressed with their menu. So, I had no expectations. Hence, I wasn’t too disappointed when their food fell short of what Peranakan food should taste like.

You see, at ‘The Little Nyonya’, they “reimagined Peranakan cuisine with a health-conscious twist’, “while prioritising reduced sodium, sugar, and healthy cooking methods like air-frying and steaming”. Their aim is to let customers enjoy their favourite dishes without compromising on their health.

Personally, I like the idea of eating healthy. However, if that means changing the tastes of the food, then it is no good at all. Peranakan foods are known for their rich spices and full bodied flavours. If the taste changes, then it is not authentic Peranakan food any more. What good is that? It is not everyday that one eats Peranakan food. Surely, there is no harm in savouring the lovely authentic Peranakan tastes, once in a while?

Anyway, true to what they are promoting, I found the food a bit lacking in the richness in taste. The food was all right, but it is not a restaurant where we say ‘we must come back again’.

Here are the dishes we tried.

Kueh Pai Tee - Crispy pastry cups filled with vegetables and a prawn. This is a hands-on dish.

Ngoh Hiang - Baked rolls filled with meat, prawn and spices.

Beef Rendang - Beef infused with spices and slow-cooked.

Ayam Buah Keluak - Chicken with Buah Keluak (black nuts) cooked the traditional way.

Prawn Asam Pedas - Prawns simmered in a sour, spicy tamarind-based gravy.

Nyonya ‘Chap Chye’ - Mixed vegetables

Blue pea duo coloured basmati rice

Pandan Lemon grass drink

The Little Nyonya is at 11 Bedok North Street 1, #01-11 Heartbeat@Bedok (Opposite Pizza Hut), Singapore 469662

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