Baba Nyonya by Sambal Chilli @ AvenueK

Delectable Nyonya Food with Local Touches

After a successful first outlet in Atria Damansara, Baba Nyonya by Sambal Chilli opened their second outlet in Avenue K in the city recently. Serving Nyonya cuisine as well as some other local classic dishes, there are certainly plenty of dishes to cater to everyone who enjoys spice laden dishes.

We paid a visit to their latest outlet and was immediately pleased to see how lovely the interior of the restaurant was. Bright and bold with lots of colors backed with wood furniture, there are also plenty of greenery incorporated into the ambiance to bring a sense of nature and comfort.

The restaurant has dining areas sectioned with panels to offer more privacy in dining. A mural of young Nyonya girls added a nice charming touch to the place. There is also a counter at the entrance of the restaurant where packets of Nasi Lemak and Asam Beehoon as well as some Nyonya kuihs are displayed to tempt diners.

The menu is also very pretty in design with its color. Filled with lots of Nyonya dishes as well as some other dishes, we notice that the price is very affordable for the cuisine.

Drinks came first and Baba Nyonya by Sambal Chilli has some lovely mocktail concoctions like Markisa (RM10.90), Pandan Kasturi (RM10.90) and Iced Honey Lemon (RM4.50). These were great thirst-quenchers.

We just couldn’t resist having a packet of the Asam Beehoon (RM2.50). It was so good, we ended up having a second packet before our dishes came. The thin rice noodle is very tasty and has a piquant tang of heat to it, making it delicious with every bite.

From the Small Bites list, we decided to order some dishes as starters. The Tom Yam Popcorn Chicken (RM9.90) fared well. Nuggets of tom yam flavored chicken popcorn was crispy and tender. It’s tasty enough even without any sauce.

The Fruit Rojak (RM9.90) was yummy. Sufficient prawn paste sauce with hints of heat, generously drenched on to the mixture of fresh fruits and vegetables. Crushed peanuts added a lovely nutty aroma and texture to the rojak. Pretty decent version here that I wouldn’t mind ordering again.

The Fried Belachan Chicken Wings (RM9.90) was mediocre as I thought it was a bit too battered and not flavorful enough. It is still juicy and tender. If they can pump up the belachan flavor, the wings would definitely be better.

We were surprise to find a few Thai dishes in the menu as well. From the Daily Plates – Rice, we tried the Green Curry Chicken Rice (RM14.90). This was surprisingly very tasty. A generous portion, the green curry was creamy and beautifully redolent of a lovely balance of spices and herbs. It has a chockful of tender pieces of boneless chicken, soft eggplant and other vegetables. The curry was so good I kept piling on my rice.

Luscious bouncy bites of prawns cooked in an unctuous sweet and spicy sambal sauce with stink beans summed up Sambal Petai Prawn (RM29.00). Another dish that had just the right balance of sambal flavors that I enjoyed a lot.

If I have to pick a favorite dish that evening, it would be the Curry Prawn Claypot (RM36.00). The curry was very creamy with a nice burst of spices. Not spicy in heat at all, the curry was also not like those thick ones but rather more drinkable. The prawns were really fresh and a good size with sweetness that goes so well with the extra creamy curry. There’s also lady fingers, eggplant and other vegetables in the curry.

Crispy Fish with Sambal Sauce (RM56.90) had a whole siakap fish fried till crispy and drenched with the house signature sambal sauce. The fish was fresh and had a sweetness in the soft flesh. The sauce was generous and went well with the fish, beckoning us to pile this onto more steamed rice.

The Salted Fish Chicken in Claypot (RM22.90) is also very tasty. Served in claypot, the sizzling dish was wondrously aromatic and I can definitely smell the salted fish distinctive aroma wafting as the dish was placed on our table. The unctuous salty flavor was nicely balanced with the sweetness of the dark soy sauce. Boneless chicken cubes were tender, just right with rice.

Cincalok Omelette (RM12.90) is a crowd pleaser. We dug into fluffy egg omelette punched up with the salty pungent cincalok. Another dish that calls rice due to its rich savory flavors.

A rather simple vegetable dish that relies heavily on the sambal, the Steamed Ladies Finger with Sambal (RM12.70) was pretty decent. I enjoyed the lady fingers with the sambal very much.

Nyonya Chap Chye (RM16.90) was also yummy. A medley of vegetables sautéed with taucheo, this one had more sauce than the one I am used too. It’s good for young ones as my son enjoyed the sauce of this dish on his rice.

Baba Nyonya by Sambal Chilli also has a kid’s menu on their list and my little one had Under The Sea (RM12.90). A cute thoughtfulness for little ones because it made my son very happy to see the bears under the egg blanket. He polished off the whole dish happily.

Desserts is a must in a Nyonya meal as there are classic favorites that end the meal with sweetness. Opt for the Cendol (RM3.90) or ABC (RM9.90). Both icy concoctions of dessert that is really lovely and delicious after the rich Nyonya dishes.

There is also a very good Sago Pandan Gula Melaka (RM4.90) that is worthy of an order with its luscious syrupy Gula Melaka over sago and creamy coconut cream.

If you prefer hot dessert, try the Bo Bo Cha Cha (RM4.50). This one has Gula Melaka in the coconut sweet soup. There’s also plenty of sweet potatoes, yam and other stuff in the dessert.

If there is one dessert that is a must-try, it’s the Banana Fritters (RM11.90). Golden and crispy banana fritters served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a side of black spicy sauce. The flavor is unique with its sweet and spicy sauce.

It’s a decent place for Nyonya cuisine and the price is value-for-money indeed. Baba Nyonya by Sambal Chilli has more to offer with their long list of dishes and I would certainly go back there to try their other dishes. Expect hearty classics that will please everyone of all ages.

BABA NYONYA BY SAMBAL CHILI

Lot UC-1, Upper Concourse

Avenue K, Jalan Ampang

Kuala Lumpur

Tel: 03-2181-5544

Website: www.babanyonya.co

Facebook: www.facebook.com/sambalchillirestaurant/

Business Hours AvenueK:

8:00am to 10:00pm

Nyonya Memoirs @ Dataran Pahlawan, Malacca

A Peranakan Love Story

A truly first in Malaysia, Hatten Group presents its fully-interactive live environmental theatre production of Nyonya Memoirs. Featuring a revolutionary new concept of 360 degree Live Peranakan Experience, Nyonya Memoirs is set in the historical city of Malacca at Dataran Pahlawan.

Premiered in May 2015, the theatre production of Nyonya Memoirs runs till 19 July 2015. Hatten Group spared no expense at this RM8million investment, taking on the very best of the production team, the star-studded cast, the theatre set and the costumes. The inspiration for this project is in line with the State Government’s goals to highlight local culture with the main objective of promoting a deeper appreciation for our city’s Peranakan heritage.

It is truly a wondrous theatrical show with musical and dance performances injected into Nyonya Memoirs. The concept centers on the traditions and customs of the Peranakan culture where everything goes by the Baba Nyonya beliefs. Located on Level 3 of Dataran Pahlawan, the Nyonya Memoirs production is amazingly gorgeous. The show is available every Friday, Saturday and Sunday with two show times of 4pm and 8pm respectively.

Boasting of a A-list production team of Atlantic Theatre and Production with renowned director, James Lee, winner of the Best ASEAN Film Award with the musical score directed by Tan Yue Hue, who has worked with international artistes while the cast is coached by Pearly Chua, nominee for Best Supporting Actress at the 43^rd Golden Horse Film Festival and the costumes are designed by Beatrice Looi, Malaysia’s top international fashion designer.

My family and I caught a Saturday show in the afternoon at 4pm one weekend. I was really excited when I walked into the theatre. To my surprise, I even met a very good friend, Merryn and her family there too that same day. We were ushered into a long hall decorated with Peranakan heritage.

Showcase displaying Nyonya kebayas with gorgeous embroidery works, hand beaded shoes and intricate jewelry pieces together with a typical Nyonya kitchen and its utensils, intricate wood carvings and finally a typical Nyonya cuisine of Nyonya Kuih had everyone busy clicking their phones and cameras while waiting for the show to start.

We were suddenly greeted by the housekeeper, Tao Jie who boisterously warmed us up with a few information about the cultures of the Peranakan and proceeded to guide us into the set.

Nyonya Memoirs is about a lover’s tale between a wealthy Nyonya girl by the name of Bao Zhu, played by Dorothy Foo and her love for a poor common Baba, Zhang Min, played by Evan Siau. The couple faces the obstacles of the family’s disagreement of their union due to the social differences of their respective lives. Immerse yourselves as the story unfolds through its own magical and musical production through the unusual concept of having viewers watch the show through a moving production set.

Nyonya Memoirs is performed in Mandarin mostly together with a mixture of Peranakan dialect thrown in such as Bahasa Melayu and some local languages. For those who are not well-versed with Mandarin, fear not as there are screen displays all over translating the conversation to English.

As soon as we step into the set, all 600 meters of it cleverly designed to echo the era of a typical Peranakan location, we were drawn to the main area of a garden right in the center of the room. Flanked with a green lawn and trees surrounding the garden, it is the main area of where the show starts off. Surrounding the garden are shops of yesteryears, typical Nyonya household and streets of those good old Peranakan days.

The theatre set is a sight to behold as there were just so many things that really reminded me of my own heritage as my father is a northern Baba himself, whom also just so happen to marry my mother who is actually a  non-Nyonya.

An energetic and smiley storykeeper played by Li Qiang proceeded to gather everyone’s’ attention and rolled out the storytelling of the lovers.

The story kicks off with Zhang Min getting all excited to propose his love and hand in marriage to his beloved Bao Zhu where he even gets the viewer involve by asking them their opinions. As mentioned, this is an interactive production so one may never know if you may just be included in the show!

Here are scenes of the lovers enjoying a serene and happy moment of themselves.

In every family, there will always be a few black sheep of the family whose intent are purely mischievous and malicious. In Nyonya Memoirs, there, they are the uncle and aunt of Bao Zhu, who simply cannot resist to inject their slandering of the couple at every chance they get.

I do have to admire both of Bao Zhu's uncle and aunt, seen here with Bao Zhu's father as they really played their part so well and both are really full of expressions and emotions.

Zhang Min meeting the family for the first time.

A solemn meeting between the lovers...

A scene from a typical Nyonya Tok Panjang in the dining room where Baba Nyonya dines on a feast of sumptuous Peranakan cuisine. This is also where family times were once a must in every household as everyone would gather together for family time. Here it is to celebrate Bao Zhu's mother's birthday.

Here are more scenes of Nyonya Memoirs but there will be no spoilers as one should really go and enjoy the experience yourselves!

Moments of despair from the couples as their family feuds continues with Bao Zhu’s mother, Yue Niang who objects while her father is left with heartache as he see his daughter suffers through the Peranakan beliefs.

The dashing Zhang Min is also left heartbroken…

Moment of hope as the couple tries to elope...

Unfortunately they were caught...

Viewers will be glad to know though that the couple did get their happy ending but you have to watch how they got it yourselves… there are quite a few touching scenes which I omitted here as I was too touch and busy enjoying those moments.

Go with an open mind and soak in the story whole heartedly for an unforgettable experience!

The show ended with the parade of Zhang Min and Bao Zhu’s grand wedding together with all the cast dressed in traditional wedding costumes at the Lover’s Bridge in the mall.

The Cast of Nyonya Memoirs

The 360 degree theatre experience is a lovely and fascinating experience while the cast and costumes are equally amazing. Together with the musical and dance performances plus the interactive parts, Nyonya Memoirs is a theatrical production unlike any others we have here in Malaysia. Don’t miss this truly heart-warming and delightful Nyonya Memoirs by Hatten Group!

NYONYA MEMOIRS

Showtime: Every Friday - Sunday, 4pm & 8pm

Venue: Level 3, Dataran Pahlawan Melaka Megamall @ Melaka

Ticket pricing*

ADULT

RM52 (mykad holder)

RM66 (non-mykad holder)

CHILD (7 - 15 years old) or SENIOR CITIZEN (60 years old and above)

RM26 (mykad holder)

RM33 (non-mykad holder)

* Terms and conditions apply.

For more information or to book your tickets, please log on to www.nyonyamemoirs.com or visit the Nyonya Memoirs ticketing counter at Level 3, Dataran Pahlawan Melaka Megamall or call hotline at + 6018 663 9696. Tickets can also be purchase online or at the concierge of Hatten Hotel & Estadia by Hatten Hotel.