Richard Rivalee Nyonya Cuisine 娘惹之家 @ Rain Garden Hotel, Lebuh Burmah, Penang

There are a handful of Nyonya or Peranakan restaurants in Penang, serving the delicacy from Nyonya Laksa to Kari Kapitan. Out of the many, Richard Rivalee is the one that registered deep impression. The restaurant is located in Rain Garden Boutique Hotel along the bustling Burmah Road, well concealed from the general public view. You will have to walk inside the hotel using the side door at Bangkok Lane to notice its presence. On top of delicious Nyonya cuisine, Richard Rivalee restaurant also boasts of having an unique atmosphere with timber and wooden doors, various antiques, Peranakan tablecloth in a dimmed romantic settings.

Perhaps the name Richard Rivalee sounds familiar to some of you. Yes, he is the renowned fashion designer under the label Richard Rivalee Couture House. He has worked with a number of celebrities, such as Fung Bo Bo, Amber Chia and Ning Baizura. Culinary is just his part-time hobby, and Richard Rivalee still maintained his passion on fashion designing!

Thanks to Richard Rivalee for hosting us that evening

Richard Rivalee Nyonya Cuisine 娘惹之家 @ Rain Garden Hotel, Lebuh Burmah, Penang

We must say the selections of Nyonya dishes here are impressive! Of course, the usual jiu hu char, loh bak, babi pongteh and those you can name are in the menu, yet there are some interesting dishes such as Chinese Wine Chicken, Steamed Fish with Egg Pudding, Stir Fried Pork with Cincalok and many more.

Well, one of the major factor that drives us enjoy the food here is the balance of the flavour. Every dish has creatively crafted to have a fair balance of flavour between sweet, sour, saltiness and umami. The dishes may look simple just like what we had for lunch or dinner prepared by grandmother and mother, but the taste has been added with another level of finesse.

Laksa Steamed Fish (RM 38)

With so many dishes to choose, it will be conundrum to pick your dishes to enjoy if there were only a small group.

Just to name a few of our favourite dish for the night, which included Asam Prawns, Sambal Prawns, Sweet & Sour Egg, Salted Vegetable Duck Soup (usually it was chicken but duck really gives it a wonder taste!), steamed lady fingers and many more. For desserts lovers, you must not miss out their Sago Pudding With Melaka Sugar!

Another thing worthy mention is their sambal served on a side is real good! On top of that, you can choose to have ulam rice, blue pea flower rice, turmeric rice or white rice to go along with the dishes.

Well, let's have a look at the wonderful dishes we had during our review.