164 338
ARTS&LEISURE
164
June14
Kim Choo’s Kitchen,
a Peranakan heritage
home
109/111 East Coast Road
(opposite 112 Katong Mall)
Rumah Kim Choo is one of a few
houses along this stretch of road that
are dedicated to the
Peranakan
or
Straits-born Chinese community, whose
forefathers were the first to settle in
Southeast Asia, perhaps most famously
in Malacca.
Intermarriage with local women gave
rise to a uniquely fascinating culture
with its own
cuisine
, plus a legacy of
distinctivemarriage and social
customs
,
architectural features, enamelware,
intricate beadwork and embroidery.
High shelves bear jars of whole spices
and other Peranakan ingredients, love
letters, pineapple tarts and much more,
together with diverse kitchen implements
and exquisite porcelain and enamelware.
In another area is a stunning collection
of
nonya
garments
: hand-beaded
shoes, hand-embroidered
kebayas
and
sarongs, made on the premises and
all for sale. It would be tempting to pair
an exquisite
kebaya
with jeans, but my
credit card is safely at home.
#4
STOP
This business was started by his
paternal grandmother shortly after the
Second World War, says the young
Raymond Wong. Taught to make the
various
nonya kueh
(cakes) by
her
grandmother, she started making the
traditional
rice dumplings
in the late
fifties. We’re treated to a demonstration:
glutinous rice that’s been soaked
overnight is stuffed with savoury pork,
firmly wrapped in fibrous green leaves,
tied with string and steamed till tender.
They’re delicious washed down with
a cup or two of tea after Raymond’s
comprehensive guided tour.
Geraldene is currently doing a few
months of travelling, but we hope to
see her back in Singapore before too
long – and leading a few more of her
famous tours.