Baba-Nyonya, Peranakan, Straits Chinese are terms related to the culture of the early Chinese immigrants to Malaya in the early nineteenth century. Majority of these immigrants intermarried with the local Malays, Siamese and Indian and later spread throughout the British Straits Settlements to Penang, Malacca and Singapore.
Peranakan means "Straits-born" in Bahasa Melayu and is also used to describe this ethnic illustrious community. The women are known as " Nyonyas " and the men " Babas ". The Straits Chinese culture is neither Chinese nor Malay but rather a curious blend of influences derived from both these cultures which include customs, traditions, arts and crafts, cuisine and diet. The traditional Baba-Nyonyas speak a language known as "Baba Malay", a mixture of Malay and Hokkien dialects and members of the older generation still use it in their daily lives today.
Their women-folk is easily recognizable with her profusion of ornate floral spray printed sarong (pario), baju kebaya (figure hugging blouse) and chignon.
Nyonya cuisine is an exotic art itself, fusing the distinctive tradition, spices and herbs and culinary skills of the Chinese and Malay. With its unique mixture and preparation, it is only natural that the best of both worlds is manifested in Peranakan cooking which is inevitably timeless and interesting. The experience into the endless variety which combines spicy and non-spicy dishes of curries, fries, soups and stews can be imaginative, tasty and extremely subtle and Nyonyas housewives of the past are fiercely proud of their cuisine. The Penang Nyonyas drew inspiration from Thai cooking style with preference for sour food, hot chilies, fragrant herbs and pungent shrimp paste (belachan).
One should always leave room for desserts because Nyonyas are noted for their gloriously colorful cakes and sweets and sticky delicacies using generous amount of creamy coconut milk!
