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Jan 24 2008

5. Places

Published by admin

The Pinang Peranakan Mansion (China Street)

Formerly the home of Kapitan Chung Keng Kwee (of Ah Quee Street-fame), this beautifully restored mansion is themed as Penang’s Peranakan Museum. It houses an eclectic collection of Peranakan material culture.

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Nyonya Cafe at New World Park (Burma Road)

For a taste of the best “nasi ulam” in town, go to New World Park where the Nyonya Cafe is located. Other signature dishes include jeu hu char, assam prawns and gulai tumis. 1950s popular Malay songs accompany the meal, balancing the overtly Chinese decor.

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Photograph courtesy of Nyonya Cafe New World Park

Khoo Kongsi (Canon Square)

This clan temple, one of the most ornate in Southeast Asia, was built in the 19th century through subscriptions from Khoo clansmen. The Khoos orginated from Eng Hai district in the Chiangchew Prefecture in Fujian Province, Southeastern China. Many Khoo clansmen married nyonyas which gave rise to the unique Penang Peranakan Chinese community.

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Malay Mosque (Acheen Street)

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This mosque is the focul point of George Town’s Malay-Arab community, also known as Jawi Pekan (urban Malays) or Arab Peranakan. The area is a waqaf or Muslim Endownment Land. The newly restored shophouses used to house a vibrant Jawi Pekan trading community. Some of the descendents of Sheik Omar Basheer, the most prominent Muslim leader in the 19th century, still occupy the houses here.

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