PERANAKAN PLACE

In the 16th centuries, the Straits Settlements of Penang, Malacca and Singapore has witnessed the mingling of cultures between the early Chinese immigrants with the Malays, Indian and Indonesian. The Straits-born Chinese, or the Peranakans, emerged out of this ‘melting pot’ with a set of customs, cultures, language, architecture, cuisine and values wholly their own. Their colourful speech, ornate full-scale ceremonies and distinctive terrace houses reflect this rich medley of influences. The Peranakans are celebrated for their cuisine, whose main ingredients used are Chinese enriched with the blend of a host of culinary styles.