Kuan is a talented and passionate home chef who cooks Chinese, Paranakan, Western (Spanish, Italian, etc), and Indian (Malayalee) too.
We were at Kuan and Sanjay's home for a memorable Malayalee dinner. Malayalee cuisine is from the state of Kerala on the Malabar Coast of southwest India.
Kuan was pottering around the kitchens of hubby Sanjay's dad and aunt, laying her foundation hands-on from generations of family heirloom Malayalee recipes.
Then, Sanjay got posted to Australia for work. Needless to say, he missed Malayalee food but fortunately Kuan had by then already mastered the secrets of the family's culinary jewels.
Sanjay said Kuan's cooking tasted and smelled like 98% of what his dad and aunt cooked - newly wed then, he was the best judge 🫢
Fast forward thirty years, Kuan's passion for cooking Malayalee dishes, burns hotter than the legendary bird's eye chili of Kerala. Since Aug 2024, Kuan shares her infectious passion with fellow foodies at Kuan's Table Private Dining.
Last night, we had the pleasure to enjoy Kuan's home cooked, traditional Malayalee dishes at their lovely family home at Jalan Aruan (near Newton MRT station).
We had:
Green Chili Chicken. Sanjay's favourite dish.
Pachidi. In Kuan and Sanjay's home, this cooling dish always comes together with green chili chicken in a pair.
Masala Prawns.
Long Beans Thoran.
Spiced Pumpkin.
Crunchy crisp Bitter Gourd Chips.
Masala Tulang.
Salted Fish Relish.
Kuan's own concoction, this is the XO of relish for sophisticated tastes. No holds barred blend of umami savoury premium salted ikan kurau fish, tangy asam, tart sweet cranberries, held together with rempah, seasoning, spices and herbs cooked with fresh peanut oil.
From the large serving bowls, we helped ourselves to portions of the main dishes, crab rasam and salted fish relish as our heart desire.
A bit of everything over basmati rice on my banana leaf "plate". This was just the "starting" parade because once the eating started, I kept topping up with the dishes I like - which was everything actually 🫢 I can't help myself but I am not to blame.
Green Chili Chicken. Tender chunks of chicken and Kuan put lots of offal into it too, all deeply infused with complex layers of flavours and aromas from green chili, various green aromatic leaves, coconut milk, spices, etc.
Kerala means "Land of Coconuts", so we find coconut in all its forms from milk, grated pulp, water, etc., in Malayalee cuisine.
Pachidi is usually made with cucumber in coconut milk, yogurt and spices, Kuan's version uses winter melon. I like it as the cubed winter melon was delicately soft and melts into sweet juice in the mouth, blending well with the coconut, yogurt and spices.
Malayalees make healthy food taste irresistible.
Long bean thoran loaded with crunchy chopped long beans sautéed with grated coconut pulp, onion, chili pepper, mustard seed, cumin, tumeric, etc. Filled every mouthful with textures, flavours and aromas.
Malayalee cuisine engages all our senses.
Masala Prawns, meaty, crunchy, umami sweet crustaceans enveloped with spice. Got to work it with our fingers, which is the best way to enjoy Malayalee cuisine.
Kerala with its 600km coastline is a seafood paradise.
Masala Tulang, never salah or can never go wrong for me 🫢 Spice and lamb shank marrow, two of my favourite indulgences together.
I gently teased out the rich elixir with the dainty crab fork Kuan provided.
Sanjay demonstrating the Malayalee i.e. proper way to enjoy tulang - jolt the marrow out with sharp slaps.
Crime (of passion) scene.
So shiok 😋 No need for any more words already 😄
Masala Chai leaves a lingering sweetness and fragrance in the mouth.
If you want to try Malayalee cuisine by Kuan's Table Private Dining, Whatsapp ✆ 9139 7488 to arrange. Kuan is also well known for her Chinese, Peranakan, and Western repertoire.
The space at Kuan's Table can seat up to 16 pax comfortably - open, airy and atmospheric, ideal for special occasions. Located at Jalan Aruan, it is also highly accessible with ample street side parking and just 10 minutes walk from Newton MRT station.
Next, a trip to Kerala is on my foodie travel bucket list 😋
I want a foodie adventure like this
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