By and large, Nonya cuisine still remains a mystery to food lovers in Australia. But mention the word Laksa and many Australians have eaten it and loved it. Yes, Laksa is the pièce de résistance of Nonya cuisine.

Nonya cuisine is a wonderful fusion of Malay and Chinese cooking; the word Nonya refers to the womenfolk of the Straits Chinese of Malacca, Penang and Singapore who were the proponents of this unique cuisine. Its cultural history dates back to the 1400s, when Chinese traders from Southern China came to trade in Malacca and married non-Muslim natives of the Malay archipelago. Their descendants are called Nonyas and Babas. Swee-Eng's great grandfather, Chia Ann Siang, who was born in Malacca, was a Baba.  As a consequence of this cultural union, the cuisine is typically spicy, fiery, subtle and complex.

Nonya cuisine uses liberal doses of fresh herbs and spices like turmeric, galangal, lemon grass, ginger, kaffir lime leaves, curry leaves, chillies, belachan (shrimp paste), candle nuts and red shallots, ingredients typically used for Malay cooking, as well as Chinese spices like star anise, five-spice powder, cinnamon stick and cloves. When fresh herbs are used, however, they are firstly food-processed or pounded in a pestle and mortar to form a fine paste or rempah. The paste is sauteed first and then cooked with any seafood, meat or vegetable with a generous dose of coconut milk or tamarind juice to produce the most delightful, delicious and unforgettable flavour.

For a glimpse of what's cooking, click on Nonya dishes. To have a look at what a Nonya wedding looks like, go to the 1932 Nonya wedding of Swee-Eng's parents. Her mother got married, when she was only 16 years old, through a matchmaker.  If you would like to know more about Nonya history and culture, visit www.peranakan.org.sg 

Nonya cooking classes are available four terms a year at Sydney Community College www.sydneycommunitycollege.com.au and is taught by Swee-Eng Chia, a fourth generation Straits Chinese, who learned the techniques of Nonya cooking from her mother. For Swee-Eng's profile, go to profile. If you need to contact Swee-Eng, or have a chat with her about Nonya cuisine and culture, email her at <[email protected]>. To find out more about the food tours, click on Food Tours.