Nyonya Su Pei Private Dining • Heritage Artisans - George Town, Penang

Huang P.

那年去馬來西亞檳城旅遊
雖然在麻六甲雞場街吃了“小娘惹”餐廳
可是總覺得他家有點觀光化

在檳城時
在咖啡館及巴剎吃了各種華人小吃
就想無論如何都要吃一次馬來西亞才有的娘惹餐
在網上搜尋
遂找到了
Nyonya Su Pei Private Dining

用餐前Su Pei先打電話來確認訂位
因為我們是外國人她還是確認再三
當我們告知她我們是住在東方酒店
因為東方酒店是檳城最高檔的酒店
她才放心接受我們的訂位

用餐當天我們用Grap叫車前往
車子左繞右繞來到了一個住民區的民宅
要不是Su Pei外出迎接
我們還不知道到了餐廳
聽Su Pei說明她是將自宅當做私宅的空間

當天客人就是我們一家跟另一個星家坡家庭
餐廳中就貼著餐廳的介紹
Su Pei夫婦是出身娘惹家庭
原來在新加坡工作
後來動念想要傳承娘惹料理
就搬回來檳城開了私廚
現在跟子女共同經營私廚

娘惹是早期華人移居馬來西亞
娶當地原住民而成被稱為娘惹
因此娘惹菜也可以說是
中國菜（福建菜）跟馬來菜的Fusion

菜一道一道的上
盡是我們熟悉的菜肴混上馬來風情
Su Pei也盡職的用英語說明着每一道菜
不過此時心中有一疑問可是又不敢提出
因為在網上搜尋時均見有男主人共同烹調
但未何今日未見
席中Su Pei在說明餐廳過往歷史中
才含淚道出私廚前一陣子的辛酸
主廚已因病往生西天
Su Pei不想讓夫婦共創的餐廳就此消失
就和子女共同經營下來

飯後Su Pei也帶著我們参觀她整齊俐落的廚房
完成了一個帶有異國又私人品味的私廚娘惹餐之旅

飯後回到東方酒店
由於我們沒有馬來西亞的連絡方式
Su Pei還特地將我們詢問的問題作了回答
因為我們訂位時高知我們住的旅館
轉給旅館交給我們
真是盡職又貼心

William O. B.

Nyonya Su Pei and her family provided one of the most memorable dining experiences we have ever encountered. This is private dining in her home. She provided a fabulous nine course feast of incomparable Penangkaran (Straits Chinese) cuisine. Each unique dish was accompanied by a delightful narration of ingredients, cooking methods, and personal history. These dishes are not to be found elsewhere, and certainly not in this unique and intimate setting. After the meal we were invited to tour her kitchen. We will never forget this wonderful evening, and feel we have made a friend as well. Don't miss this if at all possible.

Louise C.

Having had Peranakan food all over the world, this was a more refined version with a good introduction to the history and Peranakan culture. Enjoyed the stories. The food is above average and portions are on the small side. All in all it was an enjoyable dinner but didn’t quite meet the mark at RM350 per head.

Got to try some interesting dishes and enjoyed the family touch to the dining experience.

Te S. L.

Genuine peranakan home cooking! The way my mom used to do it with hours spent in preparation; chopping, slicing, grinding with a mortar and pestle, mincing! Flavours are true to tradition. Lee Su Pei, the chef, let's her training and heritage shine through. The most genuine nyonya meal I've had in Malaysia.
It's a fixed course menu with some nods to food allergies and preferences. Our pnee hoo (sole fish salad) was wonderfully flavourful with the umami of deep fried sole fish powder lending a deep richness of flavour. Her spices are not toned down and diners who want less spice should let her know early during the reservation of places. Sambal belacan was so good that we ordered belacan to bring home. Other dishes were superb. The photos will speak for me. I will come to Penang just for another meal!
Chef Lee is ably helped by her family members. Gary with table service and her daughter in the kitchen. No

Alex C.

This was my first private dining experience and I must say that I truly enjoyed myself.
Chef Su Pei introduced the theme for that evening was "Nyonya home cook food, just like how my mother-in-law had taught me". "Hence, the dishes won't be Instagramable, i.e., not beautiful", she added. We laughed. Little did we know that we are in for a surprise, as every dish served to us was immediately mouthwatering on sight!
Before Nyonya Su Pei's private dining, I did not know that Peranakan Cuisine can be made to such high level of refinement! Chef Su Pei is extremely talented and knowledgeable with manipulating spices. Her creations are not only colourfully pleasing to our eyes, but are also a beautiful symphony to our taste buds! =)
You might think that Joo Hoo Char and Lor Bak are very common Nyonya dishes, but I will tell you that you have not tasted really good Joo Hoo Char and Lor Bak until you tasted Chef Su Pei's!
This is one private dining that I will visit again when I come to Penang again, so as to try Chef Su Pei's other creations! =)

P/S: (1) No corkage charge for BYO alcohol. But do let Chef Su Pei know in advance so that she can prepare the glasses for you.
(2) As this is private dining and you will literally dine in their living room, seating per night is very very limited. So I suggest you make reservations way in advance - at least 1 month in advance!

Eugene W.

A unique and exquisite dining experience. I felt very privileged to be able to be hosted and lovingly pampered by the incredible cooking talents of Nyonya Su Pei and her family. Each dish was full of flavour and complexity. And it was so clear that I was sharing in some exclusive flavors and recipes that had been past down from mother to daughter/ daughter-in-law for many generations. Each dish was painstakingly prepared and garnished with fresh herbs that brought a freshness and visual excitement.

The serves and number of servings were generous and we ate until our bellies burst!

I will forever remember this meal. While Nyonya Su Pei’s passion for Peranakan cuisine and culture in teaching the next generation through cooking classes and education is making a measurable difference , it is clear that we were privileged to share in a slice of precious heritage that may not be so accessible and that may become rarer in the future.

Thank you so much Nyonya Su Pei for your care and attention to detail and welcoming us into your private kitchen. We were spoilt and will remember this meal for the rest of our lives.

Eugene C.

I’ve not had such palatable pleasures in Nyonya cuisine in my life of globe trotting, especially in a private dining environment.

The combination of some unique features in this particular private dining was the best experience ever. First, you’ve got a humble host who treats you with respect, a comfortable and safe environment away from the ceaseless chatters from all sides of even the most expensive restaurants I’ve been to, the natural ingredients hand picked by the chef, and sauces that are prepared just for the very well sequenced bespoke dishes, authentic recipes passed down from five generations of Nyonya culture in Penang, very personalised story-telling and food related histories, and very well timed arrangements of well decorated vessels of delights.

I’m giving this a 5 star, I shall visit again just for the experience.

B T.

Hands down the most memorable experience in Penang and probably the most insightful meal ever. Baba Jerry shared his knowledge in depth and all of us could taste the passion and love they put in the food prepared. Definitely recommend this for anyone!