Peranakan Food in Singapore Eaten with Relish
Singapore is a hub of many cultures, and the Peranakan culture is one of them. In case you didn’t already know, the Peranakan culture is a mix of Chinese and Malay cultures. The cuisine is an amalgamation of Chinese dishes with a Malay twist.
The Peranakans were originally traders and merchants, but they became well-known for their fusion of Chinese and Malay cultures. The dishes that they created became a blend of Chinese, Malay, Indian, Portuguese, and Dutch influences.
If you are wondering where you can relish some Peranakan food or host a Peranakan food buffet catering in Singapore, we have got you covered! Keep reading to understand why you should enjoy this unique cuisine.
Why Should I Relish in Peranakan Food in Singapore?
There are many reasons for you to relish Peranakan food in Singapore, especially if you have never had Peranakan food before. You will be taken aback by the flavours, some of which may be difficult for you to recreate at home, even if you have the recipe for the dishes.
That said, here are several reasons to get you started on your Peranakan food experience:
- You get to appreciate the cultural background
- You get to relish in diverse flavours
- You get to discover regional variations
- You get to savour the freshest ingredients
1. You get to appreciate the cultural background
As we pointed out earlier, Peranakan food is a fusion of Chinese and Malay cuisine. It is also known as Nonya food due to the Peranakans’ mixed ancestry of Malay and Chinese heritage.
Being one of the most popular cuisines in Singapore, Nonya cuisine has been in existence for centuries, making it one of the most well-known cuisines in Southeast Asia, with some dishes having become famous internationally.
With such a cultural background to the dishes, you get to appreciate and relive the best part that history has made possible – the food.
2. You get to relish in diverse flavours
Since Peranakan food is a unique fusion combining Chinese ingredients with Malay spices and cooking techniques, the flavours should not come as a surprise. You can call it unique and full of spices, or better yet, flavourful.
The flavours that each Peranakan dish produce differs based on the ingredients used as well as the spices. For instance, a Peranakan food buffet catering may replace the ingredients due to the lack of availability or even based on your food preference while considering your food restrictions.
This allows you to relish in the diverse flavours that each Peranakan food has to offer, leaving you wanting more.
3. You get to discover regional variations
No two Peranakan food are the same as each dish is an interpretation based on the preferred flavours, chef’s ingredients, and region. Thus, making Peranakan food is especially unique with many variations.
That said, there are several variations to the Laksa with Laksa Lemak being a variation that we Singaporeans are familiar with, while the tangy Assam Laksa is a variation that most Malaysian Peranakans are familiar with.
Other famous Peranakan dishes include Ayam Buah Keluak and Nonya Kueh. With the abundance of variations for Peranakan food, it is an experience that you would not want to miss out on.
4. You get to savour the freshest ingredients
Peranakan cuisine is not fast food; it takes a high level of patience to prepare the ingredients. To ensure that the meat and seafood properly absorb the essential spices, they must be freshly sourced and marinated for many hours before they can be cooked.
The same goes for spices. Fresh spices are sourced to ensure the strong Peranakan flavour seeps into the meat and seafood. For most halal catering services, the ones preparing the dishes will often use a mortar and pestle to grind some of the ingredients such as lemongrass, ginger, and turmeric root that give Peranakan food its strong and distinct flavour.
Keen to relish Peranakan food in Singapore?
Consider engaging a Peranakan food catering service to create a unique experience for you and your family. Besides, you’ll be introduced to new flavours that may leave you wanting more.
The best caterer can balance the quality as well as the presentation of the food while delivering the best value for your money. When you choose a Peranakan food catering service from Chilli Manis, you’ll have a variety of dishes and side menu items to choose from.
As a halal-certified caterer, we seek to present the best Peranakan food catering service in Singapore. Keen to try our food catering service? Contact us at 6250 1112 or email sales@chillimanis.com.sg.
