The fruits of her labour is evident in Nyonya.love, a Melaka Peranakan restaurant she runs with her mother, Irene Ho, a chef.
Situated in the township of Bandar Kinrara, Puchong, the restaurant exudes a laid back atmosphere, with Peranakan motifs adorning its walls.
While the certified halal menu may seem simple, every food item available is worth the try.
From fresh ingredients to in-house sauces, Nyonya.love’s secret is in how the motherly chef puts her heart into preparing their delicious home-cooked offerings.
One of the house specialties at Nyonya.love is the classic Nyonya Laksa Lemak, a spicy but creamy delight from start to finish.
The coconut milk base is the draw of this delicacy and it comes with springy noodles and fresh prawns. For extra punch, mix the amazing broth with the chilli paste.
Another hit at Nyonya.love is the Kari Ayam with Roti Jala. These yellow pancakes are satisfying, especially when dunked in the thick curry filled with generous portions of chicken slices and fluffy potatoes.
For maximum enjoyment, drizzle as much curry and acar as you want onto the Roti Jala before gorging it all down together.
Nyonya.love’s rendition of Nasi Lemak Ayam Rendang is most certainly worth trying, with fragrant rice and tasty sambal. The rich and flavourful chicken rendang is served alongside the unusual but much welcomed side of kangkung.
Also on the menu are a series of special dishes, which are only sold based on the availability of the ingredients.
One special that should not be missed is the Ikan Tenggiri Cili Garam with Rice, a quintessential Peranakan dish.
A simple but tasty Nyonya offering, the mackerel fish used is fresh and fleshy, brilliantly marinated with chilli paste, onions and red chilli.
Fried to crispy perfection, the fish gives off an unmistakably delectable aroma and of course, the flesh is best savoured with a spoonful of rice.
If you are in the mood for a savoury appetiser or a teatime snack, Nyonya.love’s assortment of little desserts are a must-try, with angku kuih being a crowd favourite alongside kuih lapis.
And what would a Peranakan restaurant be without the classic crunchy Pai Tee treats?
Adorable in their top hat shapes, these appetisers are a treat to the mouth, with the crispy thin pastry cups delivering a satisfying crunch.
The Pai Tees are filled with fresh vegetables and are served with a spicy chilli sauce for an extra kick.
Nyonya.love also serves a perfect antidote for Malaysia’s sweltering hot afternoons in the form of its cooling Cendol.
With a creamy coconut milk base sweetened with Gula Melaka, this icy dessert also comes with a generous helping of cendol jelly, so slurp it all up with relish!
Alternatively, the Lemo Kasturi Aiyu Jelly is a milder option. The dessert is best enjoyed by mashing the jelly with the shaved ice and mixing everything up. Squeeze some calamansi onto the dish for a truly sweet and sour dessert.
Speaking to FMT, Ong explained that despite her lack of experience in the restaurant business, she was intent on sharing Peranakan food, culture and heritage with the rest of the country.
In spite of challenges brought on by the pandemic, she persevered with setting up her restaurant.
“We’ve come this far, so all we can do is to move forward,” she said.
As to why people keep coming back for more, she said, “How you cook for your family, is also how you cook for your customers.”
Nyonya.love
B-LG-5, Eight Kinrara
Jalan BK 5A/1
Bandar Kinrara
47180 Puchong
Selangor
Contact: 018-989 9223
Operation hours: 11am-8pm Tuesday-Sunday. (Closed on Mondays)