Sinkhek Peranakan Nyonya Cuisine at Tanjung Bungah, Penang

Sinkhek Peranakan Nyonya Cuisine may be the best place to find a comforting home-style Nyonya lunch meal at Jalan Sungai Kelian in Tanjung Bungah, Penang. The restaurant is not easily visible to passersby as it is nestled at a lower space between Gusto Cafe and Petron petrol station.

Minor work went into converting the space to accommodate a kitchen, while its exterior is made into a dining space. Regulars keep the space filled during our Saturday lunch visit.

The owners maintained the standard of Nyonya cooking, with dishes prepared with pastes and purees made with aromatic herbs, spices and freshness of ingredients. There are two different menus – the a la carte and weekend specials, with something to suit all taste buds.

The a la carte menu featured comforting home-style Nyonya fare such as Jiu Hu Char, Sambal Hae Bee, Perut Ikan, Sesame Oil Chicken, Otak-Otak Fish, Inchi Kabin, Tamarind Prawns, Penang Lor Bak, and the Tu Khar Sngooi.

The Inchi Kabin and Penang Lor Bak make a good start, and best eaten with a dip in the chili sauce. The meal continued with an order of Jiu Hu Char (bangkuang stir-fried with carrot and black mushrooms). The jiu hu char is great to eat wrapped in the accompanying lettuce, topped with homemade sambal.

Penang Lor Bak (five spices pork roll) RM12

Inchi Kabin (Peranakan-style fried chicken) RM25

Jiu Hu Char RM20

Otak-Otak Fish RM12

Adventurous diner can tuck into the spicy dish of Sambal Hae Bee Petai, or the Perut Ikan. The latter is an appetizing sour & spicy stew made with pickled fish stomach, plenty of local herbs, brinjal and pineapple. Another dish is the succulent Assam Heh (tamarind prawns), with notably fresh large prawns melded together nicely with tanginess notes of tamarind pulp.

Besides the ala carte dishes, do check out their weekend specials. You will be comforted with choices like Pajeli Prawns Nasi Lemak, Roti Babi, and Mustard Stew.