Tuesday, May 27, 2008

Nonya rice dumplings



A trip to the Kim Choo Kueh Chang - Restaurant/ Gallery is only complete when one checks out its famous and delicious Nonya Kueh Chang (rice dumplings). As such, while we were at the gallery, Eastcoastlife and myself remembered to catch some glimpses of the rice dumplings when we were there.

Eastcoastlife told me that from time to time, there will be a demonstration of the making of the rice dumplings at the second level where the gallery stood. I did not have the fortune to see the demonstration when I was at the gallery that day. Do check out Eastcoast's post titled Peranakan Culture to see a photo of such a demonstration.

To learn about what makes Kim Choo Kueh Chang different from Chinese rice dumplings and learn about the Dragon Boat Festival, one should check out http://www.kimchoo.com/ourculture.html

At Kim Choo Kueh Chang, the rice dumplings are wrapped using fragrant Pandan leaves instead of the bamboo leaves used in Chinese rice dumplings. In addition, a range of condiments commonly found in the Malay archipelago region, such as coriander powder etc are used to give the Nonya rice dumpling a distinctive flavour. Instead of being filled with fatty pork fillings, Kim Choo Nonya rice dumplings are usually filled with seasoned minced pork and sliced winter melon cubes. Just like many Nonya rice dumplings, the glutinous rice are sometimes coloured marble-blue using the extract of the blue-pea flower. This, I read, would give the dumpling "a sweetened tang and a distinct look".


Various spices: cinnamon, star anise, fennel, cumin and coriander seeds are used in the making of Kim Choo Nonya rice dumplings

My goodness, I realised that after writing so much about the delicious Kim Choo Nonya rice dumplings, I was too full to try a bite of it when I was at Ruma Kim Choo! One could visit Ruma Kim Choo to get a few of the rice dumplings.

Kim Choo Kueh Chang - Restaurant / Gallery
(Kim Choo's Kitchen / Ruma Kim Choo)
109/111, East Coast Road
Singapore 428800
Tel: +65 6741 2125

References:
- http://www.kimchoo.com/ourculture.html
- Tan, Gek Suan. (2004). Gateway to Peranakan Food Culture. Singapore: Asiapac Books.

6 comments:

eastcoastlife said...

You should have bought some Nonya bak zhangs back. Kim Choo's Nonya bak zhang is yummy. Of course mine will be better. I'll give you a few this weekend if you want. :)

oceanskies79 said...

eastcoastlife: I have good imagination, and can imagine how yummy the bak zhang would taste even without trying. ;)

perantau said...

hi there.. Next time you come to Malacca, do try its Nyonya chang :) Malacca as u know is also a "hub" or rather a hometown for many Peranakans. the taste there is quite authentic.. there is a house in the Bukit Serindit area where you can order truly nice ones!

oceanskies79 said...

Dak Rantau: Thank you for the tip about where to find nice Nyonya chang.

Anonymous said...

do they sell mini veg. nonya zhang? can u plaese reply asap

oceanskies79 said...

Hi Anonymous, I am sorry that I am not sure about it. Could you please check directly with Kim Choo at Tel: (65) 67412125 or use this: http://www.kimchoo.com/index.php/contact-us