Pork Free Nyonya Food Hainantown At Yeng Keng Penang

Hainantown restaurant at Yeng Keng serves pork-free Nyonya food, and an extensive range of home-styled staples since 2005!

My former boss used to take us to the outlet at Weld Quay for dinner treats after completing a project.

The restaurant is ideal for group gatherings and families as it is pork-free, and my colleagues get to sample the quintessential Nyonya food.

Baba Nyonya or not, trained palate notwithstanding, everyone has their favorite Nyonya dish for the taste test.

Some may say Nyonya food tastes different without pork, but I beg to differ.

Since those days, the dish I love the most is their Assam Prawns and their Assam Pedas Fish – both seafood dishes!

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Nyonya Food In Penang

There are a few restaurants in Penang that serve solid Nyonya food.

Hainantown is a restaurant at Yeng Keng Cafe on Chulia Street.

Many a fellow Nyonya will tell me you can’t get that taste without the ‘bak’ (pork).

Authentic Nyonya home cooking and heirloom recipes have pork or lard oil in the preparation.

While you can replace pork with chicken in the Loh Bak (Five-Spice Pork Roll), other pork-specific dishes would not taste the same when replaced with chicken.

• Nyonya Lam Mee
• Nyonya Stewed Pork Ribs
• Babi Pongteh (Nonya Braised Pork in Fermented Soybean sauce)

To summarize, it would be like eating a vegetarian version of Nyonya Perut Ikan minus the preserved Fish Stomach in the stew.

Pork Free Nyonya Food At Hainantown

Since its opening, Hainantown has had a good following of regulars who love the rendition of their pork-free Nyonya recipes.

For years, Hainantown has been the de facto restaurant in George Town for Nyonya cuisine.

The restaurant’s extensive range of home-styled Nyonya festive and daily staples are crowd favorites.

I remember the meals I’ve had with local and foreign friends.

Most will ask, ‘The food is so exotic, especially the curries – it is not Indian or Malay?’

‘I’ve been to China and Taiwan, and the Chinese don’t have curries on their menu.’

That is the beauty of Nyonya food Penang style.

Sometimes, they wonder why I eat so little when I dine with them at a Nyonya restaurant.

Dory: We have this regularly at home.

Guests: So lucky you!

What is Pork Free Nyonya Food?

One of the first fusion foods, Nyonya cuisine, takes local ingredients and herbs and marries them with the Chinese cooking.

Nyonya food uniquely blends Chinese, Malay, and other Southeast Asian cultures.

In the 15th century, when Chinese immigrants came to Nusantara (Malaysia, Indonesia, and Singapore), they married local Malays.

With this intermarriage, the influences, ingredients, and cooking traditions combined to create the fusion of Nyonya cuisine – with the addition of pork!

The first fusion of Nyonya food has existed for centuries.

It is not an ingenious way of dressing up dished with random ingredients; call it “fusion” by sticking a hefty price tag.

Atmosphere

While some yearn for the nostalgic, breathtaking sea view overlooking the ferry terminal, others are just happy with good food!

The current location at the annex of the Yeng Keng Hotel is superb.

Nothing is as s chic or as cozy as a banquette seating that reminds me of my favorite cafés and breathes Michelin-starred restaurants.

The banquette seating is a surefire to inspire you to sit back and sink in to relax against the electric blue wall.

Famous as a delicious hosting venue for staff gatherings (due to Pork-Free status) – Hainantown, you need to book ahead for significant group events.

Hainantown At Yeng Keng Cafe

On the last trip there with GL, she was excited to introduce Nyonya cuisine to our French friends.

We met with the boss, Mr. Bok (a high school friend), and planned a simple menu to ensure GL’s guests got to try as many items as possible.

Fried Chicken, Kerabu, Curries, and desserts!

We didn’t quite go the whole nine yards.

The last time I went with Penny, she ordered one each from the Flower Mulan Nyonya Cafe menu.

I remember the chef running out and asking, ‘Shall I stop cooking?’

Having Mr. Bok to advise was a good thing.

The best part about ordering is when you can’t read the menu – speak to Mr. Bok.

(coz I’m not wearing bifocals, NOT because I didn’t go to school, okay?)

When I was younger, I often wondered why my dad never ordered from the menu – so lovely to choose, right?

He would look at the food on other tables to gauge how good it was.

If a lot is left behind, no good.

As a habit, I looked around the other tables – and did my visual scan.

Hello, nothing is left on the plates!

So, what to do? I can’t point and say, “I want THAT!”

That’s why ordering verbally is the best way to go – ask Mr. Bok to recommend 😀

Five ladies, one a vegetarian, with the request not too spicy.

Here’s what we ordered.

The dishes got great smiles of delight and approval from the guests.

Starters

• Choon Pneah

Mains

• Inchi Kabin
• Assam Prawns (market price)
• Nyonya Curry Tumis Fish (market price)
• Kerabu Kacang Botol

Side Dishes

• Jiu Hu Char
• Nasi Kerabu

Desserts

• Pengat
• Sago Gula Melaka

Drinks

You got to try the drinks here! My favorite is the Lychee something, something.

If you’re bringing seniors for a meal here, they would be very happy.

Biscuit Roti Jari dip in Kopi O (Black Coffee) is a favorite!

Choon Pneah (Spring Rolls)

Choon Pneah is a Hainanese specialty Spring Roll of shredded vegetables and Crab Meat.

The Choon Pneah was tasty, with thin skin and a generous filling.

There are bits of Crab Meat too fine to be discerned.

The appetizer tastes even more heavenly when dipped into ‘Amo Tau Ewe,’ – a localized version of Worcestershire sauce.

Assam Prawns (Tamarind Prawn)

My all-time favorite Assam Hare (Hokkien) is the one my mom makes.

The second best is at Hainantown.

Since the first time I tried it, this is one day I will always recommend it.

Inchi Kabin (Nyonya Fried Chicken)

An authentic Nyonya Fried Chicken dish.

The dish has chicken marinated with various spices and coconut milk.

Makes the taste of Inchi Kabin rich and flavourful.

Also known as ‘Inchi Kabin’ ( Encik Kabin), is a must-order if you love Fried Chicken.

Nyonya Curry Tumis Fish

Hainantown’s Nyonya Curry Tumis Fish is a favorite dish among the patrons.

Their spicy, tangy curry has a robust, savory flavor with enough ‘Sui’ (sour) without any powdery texture.

The texture and consistency are right to ‘banjir’ (flood). Drown your rice with enough gravy.

GL ordered the Black Pomfret, fresh and fleshy without any fish stench.

You can order ‘Tau Tay’ Chinese White Pomfret if you prefer.

For me, this curry with Okra, Tomatoes, and Onions hits the spot.

It is a ‘dangerous’ dish to order. You will need two servings of white rice to do justice to the Curry Tumis Ikan.

Kerabu Kacang Botol (Winged Bean)

A mixed salad of tender Winged Beans.

The salad has fresh chilies, garlic, lime juice, prawns, and kerisik topped with boiled juicy prawns.

Jiu Hu Char (Fried Jicama with Shredded Cuttlefish)

A typical Nyonya recipe is necessary for observing the Chinese lunar calendar and numerous Chinese festivities.

The year-round Chinese celebrations call for festive foods – Jiu Hu Char tops the list of family favorites.

While the ingredients are simple, the dish is labor intensive.

The Jicama, Carrots, and Onions need to be finely julienned.

The best way to enjoy this is to wrap the Jiu Hu Char in a piece of lettuce with a dollop of sambal.

Joo Hoo Char was delicious, and I loved the addition of Coriander as a garnish.

Nasi Ulam Nyonya

Nasi Ulam (Herb Rice) is a rice salad of sorts.

You get a fantastic assortment of raw herbs mixed with

• Toasted Hare Bee (Dried Shrimps)
• Kerisik (dry toasted shredded coconut)

Mixing the salad is easy.

Gathering the ingredients, washing, drying, slicing, and chopping takes time and patience.

In the Nyonya kitchens, all the leaves are rolled up tightly and sliced as delicate as a hair’s breadth.

And I’m reminded of being chased out of the kitchen for ruining the Daun Kaduk, which I slice about half a centimeter thick. 😀

Nasi Ulam, with its heady aroma of the different sliced or chopped herbs mixed with rice, will make you drool.

I love the combination of the spicy, tangy, limey (Limau Kasturi) and bold aromatic flavors.

Nasi Ulam is delicious, fragrant, healthy, and tasty.

• Cooked and cooled fragrance rice
• Lime Juice
• Hare Bee (soak, chopped, toasted Dried Shrimps)
• Belacan Powder (Roasted Shrimp Powder)
• Kerisik (toasted and pounded grated coconut)

Other fresh herbs include finely chopped or sliced

• Turmeric (Kunyit)
• Small Shallots (Bawang Merah)
• Small Chili (Birds eye Chili)
• Lemongrass (Serai)
• Torch Ginger Flower (Bunga Kantan)
• Kaffir Lime Leaves (Daun Limau Purut)
• Polygonum Leaves (Daun Kesom)
• Mint Leaves (Daun Pudina)
• Basil Leaves (Daun Selasih)
• Wild Betel Leaves (Daun Kaduk)

Sago Gula Melaka (Sago Pudding)

Gula Melaka, combined with Coconut Milk poured over Sago Pudding, makes the dessert a true delight.

We ordered extras.

How good is the Sago Gula Melaka at Hainantown?

I’ve been there after dinner just to eat this for desserts.

Bee Koh Moy (Black Glutinous Rice Dessert with Coconut Cream)

The creamy, rich but nutty Black Glutinous Rice porridge with Dried Longan, topped with a spoonful of salted Coconut Cream.

Conclusion

Pork Free Nyonya Food Hainantown has won the hearts and bellies of local Penangites.

Penangites are the hardest to please and are known to snub food below par.

The chef at Hainantown has maintained its standards and consistent taste in their dishes throughout the years.

The restaurant is consistently excellent and tasty.

The addition to their drinks menu with Lychee Freeze and others is delightful.

Hainantown wins big points for my childhood memories of Biscuit Roti Jari dip in Kopi O (Black Coffee).

If you’re out on a date with yourself, try their Hainan Chicken Chop or the Nasi Kerabu – a heavy-duty meal you will enjoy to the fullest!

29 December 2023 Update

Last night marked my third visit to Hainantown in 2023!

It was a joyous dinner celebration among friends, and the pork-free Nyonya cuisine was a stellar 10/10 for its consistently delightful taste.

Here’s a glimpse of our order for 4 people, averaging out to RM60 per person:

• Choon Pneah
• Assam Hare
• Kari Kapitan
• Nasi Ulam
• Mix Veg
• White Rice

Desserts included:

• Bee Koh Moey
• Sago Gula Melaka

My friends were delighted with the flavorful and high-quality food, rich with the distinct taste of Nyonya spices.

Even with satisfied stomachs, the desserts were a hit, and we managed to savor every last bite!

Next, we’re already planning another gathering to explore the Hainanese Western dishes on the menu, featuring delights such as:

• Hainanese Chicken Chop
• Hainanese Chicken Pie
• Choon Pneah

Here are more photos of our dinner.

Hainantown at Yeng Keng is a charming heritage boutique hotel on Chulia Street, George Town, Penang.

Renowned for its authentic Hainanese-style cuisine, it continues to be a delightful Nyonya culinary destination not to be missed when you visit George Town.

SmartDory Top Tips:

Hainantown at Yeng Keng Nyonya Restaurant offers an intimate and cozy atmosphere. As there is a limited number of tables, we recommend making reservations in advance to ensure you don’t miss out on the delightful dining experience.

Hainantown At Yeng Keng Cafe
366, Chulia Street, George Town, Malaysia
Tel: +60 4-263 3177
Opening Hours: 11.30 AM to 3.00 PM and 6.00 PM to 10.00 PM

IG: Hainantown

 

 

 

 

Blog Disclosure: This is a NOT sponsored blog post. All opinions are mine. The writer and friends paid for their meal.