Monday, May 7, 2012

Dainty dishes from a Dainty Chef

I was chatting on facebook with Jennifer of  Chasing Food Dreams and she asked if I would like to join her to taste nyonya food by our own local chef, Chef Debbie Teoh , Malaysia’s well regarded culinary expert for Peranakan cuisine. What do you think my answer would be? It is a YES, of course! LOL! I love Nyonya food and moreover, it will be an apportunity to meet Jennifer of Chasing Food Dreams in person (If you guys want to know what is most happening in KL, head over to her blog) . We wanted to meet up for several times in the past but it did not happen due to our own commitments. It was great that we finally met and had a good time together.

The nyonya food promotion was at, Chatz Brasserie in The Park Royal Hotel. 

I was there half an hour early so I went to the Klix lounge to enjoy a glass of white wine. They have good house white. That was to reward Aunty Lucy (me) for breezing through the traffic and did not lost her way. YAY!!




At 6.30pm, I walked down the escalator to the restaurant. Alice Yong of Jom Makan was there already. It was nice to meet her again. I met her the first time at MillesimeNot long after, Monica of The Yum List, her hubby and other bloggers arrived. Samples of food that would be served at the dinner later were all layed out on a table for photography. They all looked mouth-watering delicious. Look at the delicious spread. Don't you wish you were there with us? LOL!

Nasi Ulam and Sambal Terung, an aromatic spicy rice was served as the first dish to wet our appetite.
Itek Tim, a soup with a discreet saltish a slightly peppery flavor. 
Ayam Buah Keluak - To me, this is the most special dish of all. 
The buah keluak had a uniquie flavor, nutty and yet not over powering. 
Terung dengan Sambal Udang Kering, a simple dish but a very flavorful.
Ulam Platter - another one of my favorites.
The sambal was heavenly.
Otak-Otak - This was quite different from those I had in the past.
There were chunks of fish, prawn and squid inside coconut and egg custard.
A complete new dimension of mouth feel from just mashed fish.
This sambal is have the right balance of sweetness and spiciness.
Lemak Nenas Ikan Sepat - A very addictive taste 
which is saltish, sweet and lemak at the same time. 

Here are the two different kinds of Nyonya Kueh for dessert:

Glutinous rice with sweet dried prawns filling wrapped in banana leafs. 
Yummy, rich and slightly spicy.
Seri Muka - I was surprised by this version. Instead of the usual
glutinous rice layer, it was a taro layer on top of cocounut pandan flour layer.
I could not stop eating, I think I had three. LOL!

If you guys would like to taste authentic Nyonya cuisine, you might want to indulge in the Buffet Lunch or Dinner or weekend Hi-Tea at Chatz Brasserie between 11 May and 10 June.  For such great food, the price are reasonably priced. RM62.00++ for Buffet Luch, RM82++ for Buffet Dinner and only RM59++ for Hi-Tea. I suggest that you make reservation early,  I was told the tables will be taken up pretty fast given that Debbie returned on popular demand.

It was a great pleasure to meet Chef Debbie Teoh in person and sample all her pretty and dainty dishes and desserts.



Having great pride in her food, Debbie took time to explain to us how the dishes were prepared. If only you know the amount of effort and personal attention she put in, from selecting quality ingredients to not forgetting the details in cooking the dishes, you will understand why they all tasted superior. I had a wonderful meal, one that make me crave for more. Not only did we had a scrumptious meal, we had a surprise at the end of the meal. Each of us got to take home a Nyonya Bachang.


The night itself, my Quay Lo sampled the Bachang and he loved it so much that he asked for more. I was rather surprised because he was not a big fan of Bachang. I told him I would take a class from the chef and make more for him next time. I learned that if we can gather a group of 12 persons, we can get Debbie to open a class for us. Anyone interested? 


A group photo with Debbie and other bloggers
Picture courtesy from Jennifer of Chasing Food Dreams
From left:Jennifer of Chasing Food Dreams, Isaac Tan, Yin Yin, Quay Po, Choi Yen of  Mimi's Dining Room, 
Chef Debbie Teoh, Sze Hui of Fish and Karen Oh of Life Muses




55 comments:

  1. I saw Chef Debbie Teoh before.It was from recipe book actually hehehe...Another great gathering and high tea with bloggers again.Love all the Nyonya dishes, especially the eggplants.

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    1. Angie, it was dinner not high tea:D I wish you can taste Debbie's food. They are all so unforgettable.

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  2. Ah!!! She must be from Penang - the otak-otak there is like that, different from Muar's or Singapore's. Many do not like the egg custard in it. I don't mind - I quite enjoyed those that I had in Penang but on the whole, I prefer ours - the ones at Payung.

    I saw this in Isaac's post... Can't say much based on the photos (which do not seem very alluring, I'm afraid) unless I get to sample the food myself. I wonder if she runs a nyonya restaurant of her own or not.

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    1. Arthur, if Aunty Lucy did remember correctly what she told me, she is from Malacca. I don't think she runs a restaurant now. Nevermind, I learn from her and when you come to KL, I cook for Nyonya food for you. When are you coming? hehe

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  3. Oh my, as I slowly scrolling down the pictures, every dish looks so delicious! I think the sambal must be very tasty and aroma in taste.

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  4. Wow must have been a fun gathering. Lovely and tantalizing clicks :D

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    1. It was. Don't you wish you were there with us?

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  5. The nyonya dish and nyonya kuih are all so mouth watering. Why didn't have nyonya dessert like bubur caca?

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    1. Oh how i wish there was bubur caca, it is my favorite and the Nyonya version is the best.

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  6. Hey, Veron!

    Wasn't it nice to have the opportunity to sample so many mouthwatering classics of the Peranakan cuisine? Envy.

    I'm happy to read about the happy time you'd spent with other bloggers at such an event.

    P.S. I'm officially home now (if you get what I mean), till I find a job / start a new job. Hope that we'll have the chance to catch up again before the frenzy on my side resumes.

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    1. Pei Lin, anytime you want to come visit me, just give me a buzz. You are always welcome my dear:D

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  7. I'm drooling! I've missed good nyonya dishes. Some are so tedious to make, or need more mouths to feed, I've just given up on homemade. This is torture! Now you've got me craving for otak-otak ... gotta make some soon.

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    1. You know how to make Nyonya food?? Wow Wow Wow!! I warn you first, if you did not invite me to sample your Nyonya food, don't post it to torture me! hahaha

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  8. These yummy dishes and kuih are making me hungry ....

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    1. I don't blame you, I still drool and feel hungry everytime I look at those photos of Debbie's Nyonya food.

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  9. I got her book haven't try to cook it. Lol..what a coincidence that my sis in law asked me to look for nice buffet in town for mother's day. I got an idea from u..Tq very much

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    1. Oh you got her book? How wonderful. I am going to buy one soon. Bring your mum to the buffet, she is going to love it.

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  10. Veron, where is the class to be held? I might interested to attend.

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    1. Most probably in Debbie's home. I will keep you posted.

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  11. The chef looks young and pretty... such a good coo too! psst... any such food gatherings in Ipoh? :p

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    1. You tell me, any such food gathering in Ipoh? You organise one and I will come!

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  12. Veron¸ i love your outfit. Very nice!

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    1. Yee Ling, thanks, that is one of my favorites too. I tried to get another one but so far, I could not find something I like. It is an old old blouse. 10 years maybe?

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  13. It was so nice to have finally met you in person! You are as pretty and sweet as your pics...

    Great food outing and I cannot wait for more... & also Debbie's class! Hugs =)

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  14. Jennifer, Thanks. Hope to hang out with you again soon. Me too, I am soo looking forward to Debbie's class. HUGS back.

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  15. OMG. I'm salivating... Nyonya food is one of the first few things that I eat when I'm back home! :D I did try making Seri Muka and it was a success!!

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    1. You know how to make Seri Muka? Fantastic!

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    2. hehe followed a recipe book pretty closely!

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  16. Everything looks simply mouth-watering.

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  17. Wow u got to meet debbie in person, am a fan of her cook books. The spread really looks yummy. Do update me on the classes, am interested...

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    1. Ok, will do. Please email me your contact. quaypocooks@gmail.com.

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  18. You dressed up according to the theme.. how nice! I have also heard that her Nyonya buffets are very popular.

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    1. Yen, bring your mum there for Mother's day. I am sure she will be very pleased with the food.

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  19. that is such a great spread! I want everything!! I didn't know there are nonya buffets!

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    1. Me too, I have been to a lot of Peranakan Restaurant for dinner but not buffet:D

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  20. Ohh, yes! I would have loved to be there!!!

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    1. How I wish you would so I could meet you in person and give you a hug for real:D

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  21. Thanks for dropping by my blog! Nice meeting you. The Ba Chang looks delicious, would love to have it now as supper. =)

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    1. You are most welcome. Nice meeting you too and thank you for dropping by. Hope to see you around.

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    2. Oh and thank you for your following too.

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  22. True...such a lovely spread of Nyonya cuisine! We went on different evenings, I guess, so I missed seeing u in your lovely kebaya! :-)

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    1. Oh, I would love to meet you again. Let's keep in touch.

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    2. Sure...let's go yumcha soon!

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  23. Great pics. Still salivating over the pineapple coconut curry.

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    1. Monica, I still salivating over all the dishes and the desserts. The Seri Mika with the taro layer is TO DIE FOR!!

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  24. What an excellent restaurant review, Veronica. BTW-a little correction on the first top statement. It's "wet" the appetite ("vet" is short for veteran)...a small typo error!

    The dishes are amazing...never even heard or seen any of these amazing exotic delicious time consuming dishes. Your photos of each and every one of them are fabulous, and such an amazing talented chef, to be admired!
    Thanks for sharing your special event...you are one lucky lady to be able to be part of all these amazing events.
    Hugs,

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    1. hehehe Elisabeth, thank you so much for pointing out my mistake. I love that you are always so sharp! I fixed it already. HUGS! XOXO

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  25. Hey Veron.. saliva overflowing now... Yummy.
    My grandma use to cook itik tim and nyonya bak chang. My favourite food of all time.
    Are these dishes available at the buffet line or its ala carte?

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    1. Wow, you grandma is a Nyonya? Did you learn from her? These dishes are all available at the buffet line:D

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  26. how i envy you!! always go makan here and there..you know ipoh has not got much international or cuisine of this kind..want to eat?? cook ourselves or drive 2 hours first to eat! see one day if i'm in kl and free, i will go look for the place and if you're free better still, you take me there! wait i go tailor make one kebaya first!

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    1. Come Lena, you are welcome to stay with me if you don't mind my humble place. We can go makan makan till we both drop. LOL! No need go tailor make the kebaya blouse lah, I take you go buy off the rack.

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  27. I just get to savour some Nyonya cuisine last weekend...Else i will be drooling seeing all the food here. Hou hou sek!!!

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