Having drawn influence from both Malay and Chinese culinary cultures, the combination of spicy and savoury flavours has got Malaysians hooked on the stuff.
Luckily for the residents of Petaling Jaya’s Section 17, it is quite a relief that there is a restaurant that serves authentic Nyonya cuisine in their immediate vicinity.
Kampung Contemporary Dining (or Kampung, for short) has been captivating both the hearts and stomachs of Nyonya food lovers since it first opened its doors in 2018.
Founded by a Melakan husband-wife team, Kampung serves an impressive array of Melaka Nyonya dishes, albeit with a surprising yet welcome porcine twist.
Yes, dear pork lovers. You read that right, and may now oink to your heart’s delight.
Stepping into Kampung, you will be instantly greeted by the sight of a casual but homely dining atmosphere, which makes it suitable for both families and friends with a hankering for Nyonya food.
At lunchtime, the place can get somewhat packed with hungry customers, many of whom will be feasting on Kampung’s distinctive bestseller; the Pork Lard Nasi Lemak with Siuyuk.
Just in case you wondering, it is every bit as sinful as it sounds but makes for such a heaven-sent delight.
Considering everyone loves a good plate of nasi lemak, Kampung’s version clearly does not disappoint with its use of basmati rice, kampung eggs and in-house sambal.
Plus, health-conscious folk will be happy to know that there is absolutely no MSG in their recipe.
With crispy pork lard being sprinkled atop your serving of rice, the best way to eat your nasi lemak is to mix your traditional groundnuts, anchovies and sambal with your rice.
All of this is made better with the addition of the juicy and tender roasted pork belly, which has a slightly salty yet aromatic taste to it.
Assuming that you are less inclined towards red meat, Kampung also has Pork Lard Nasi Lemak with Chicken Rendang as an alternative.
With the rendang paste being made from 11 herbs and spices, and cooked using a “pecah minyak” method, the end result is a delectable chicken dish that is fully infused with the flavours of rendang.
While you are busy gorging yourself on the porky rendition of Malaysia’s national dish, why not turn up the heat with something extra spicy?
If you’re up for the challenge, the Claypot Starfruits Assam Fish is the right dish for the job.
Nestled within a steaming hot clay pot is a colourful dish made with fresh fish and a flavourful paste, said to be the confluence of Melaka Nyonya and Portuguese cuisine.
Customers have the option of having the red snapper or siakap, though whichever fish you decide to go with will come with a spicy paste that’s sour and sweet in equal proportions.
Are you fond of satay or pork? How would you like to see (and taste) both of them combined?
If you like that idea, then Kampung has just the thing for you with the Melaka Pork Satay.
In an interesting twist on the traditional peanut sauce often served with satay, Kampung’s peanut sauce makes liberal use of pineapple.
Pineapple is said to be a meat tenderiser that makes the pork skewers juicier, and the sauce adds an addictive fruitiness to the meat.
All of this combined makes it hard to put the satay down once you start going — making it perfect as a side dish to be shared with many.
With so many spicy dishes setting your taste buds alight, it only makes sense to want to beat the heat.
As it turns out, there are indeed drinks in Kampung that are made for you to keep cool.
The Kedongdong Assamboi is recommended by the chef for a good reason, as it carries a sourish taste that’s best enjoyed when the drink is cold.
Not to mention, the addition of addictive Assamboi to this thirst-quenching drink cements it as quite the crowd favourite.
Alternatively, if you’re in need of your daily caffeine boost, Kampung has an assortment of coffees, served piping hot or refreshingly cold, often with a cracker on the side.
For the best experience, relish in the simple joy of dunking the cracker into a cup of cold Kopi O and nibble away.
After a good meal and a refreshing drink, one can only hope that you still have some room left for dessert.
The Melaka Cendol is a must-try, being a sinful dessert coated with sweet Gula Melaka, coconut milk, cendol jelly and red beans.
Mix the shaved ice well together with the other condiments and savour a dessert that will be a refreshing respite from the spicy dishes you just enjoyed.
Also available on the menu is a little treat that’s perfect for dessert or as a light snack called Pulut Tai Tai.
This Nyonya kuih consists of pieces of glutinous rice steamed in coconut milk and served alongside a spread of Gula Melaka kaya.
The best way to enjoy this kuih is by coating it generously with the spread before eating it off your fork.
For people with a sweet tooth, you will be tempted to start scooping up some of that Gula Melaka kaya just to enjoy the sweet richness in your mouth.
Speaking to FMT, Kampung’s owner and chef, Dersen Tan, explained that his personal philosophy is to use only the best quality ingredients and to cook them in an authentic manner.
While Kampung was battered during MCO3.0, he is encouraged by the return of the lunch crowds as evidenced by his packed restaurant.
“I hope to be able to share our food with more people,” he said, with optimistic thoughts of a second branch on his mind.
Kampung Contemporary Dining (non-halal)
11, Jalan 17/45,
Seksyen 17, 46400
Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Contact: 012-737 2085
Operating hours: 11am to 4pm, 5:30 to 9pm (Monday to Thursday), 11am to 4pm, 5.30pm-9.30pm (Friday to Sunday) closed on Tuesdays