In the 16th century, the Straits Settlements of Penang, Malacca, and Singapore witnessed the mingling of cultures between the early Chinese immigrants with the Malays, Indians, and Indonesians. The Straits-born Chinese, or the Peranakans, emerged out of this ‘melting pot’ with a set of customs, cultures, language, architecture, cuisine, and values wholly their own. Their colorful speech, ornate fu
ll-scale ceremonies, and distinctive terrace houses reflect this rich medley of influences. The Peranakans are celebrated for their cuisine, whose main ingredients used are Chinese enriched with a blend of a host of culinary styles.