If you’re visiting Penang and wondering whether to book a cooking class, the answer is absolutely yes. Known as the food capital of Malaysia, Penang is famous for its rich culinary heritage, vibrant street food scene and unique fusion cuisine. Taking a Penang cooking class is one of the best ways to experience this culture beyond simply eating it.
A cooking class in Penang gives you hands-on experience with local ingredients, introduces you to traditional techniques and helps you understand the stories behind the dishes. From bustling food markets to home kitchens, it’s an immersive way to connect with the island.
Among the many options available, a Nyonya cooking class in Penang stands out as something truly special. Nyonya (or Peranakan) cuisine blends Chinese, Malay and Indonesian influences into dishes that are full of flavour, history and character.
In this post, we’re sharing our honest review of a Penang cooking class with Pearly Kee – one of the island’s most well-known home cooks – including what to expect, what you’ll cook and whether it’s worth booking.
👩💻 About the author – Nichola is a family travel expert and has written for The Guardian, The Telegraph, Lonely Planet Magazine and Wanderlust, amongst many others. She’s spent over a decade travelling the world with her children, finding the best places for you to explore too.
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Penang cooking class – a Nyonya cookery class with Pearly Kee. We love to cook up dishes which we’ve tasted on our travels and try our hand at recreating them at home. I often joke that we have our own style of fusion cooking. We adapt foods and recipes where we’re not totally sure of the ingredients or can’t get hold of a particular herb, and we exchange it for another. It’s great fun to try out dishes we’ve fallen in love with on a trip.
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Finding out about Nyonya cookery
On our family holiday to Malaysia as we reached the tropical island of Penang we discovered a real fusion cooking style which we knew nothing about. This brings together the best of some of our favourite flavours.
Nyonya cooking. A blend of Chinese ingredients and spices, prepared using Malaysian and Indonesian cooking techniques.
Also known as Peranakan cuisine, Nyonya food is one of the most distinctive culinary styles in Southeast Asia and a real highlight of any trip to Penang.
Nyonya cooking is being kept alive and celebrated on the island. And these special dishes are being championed in particular by one cook, Pearly Kee.
She runs a successful and popular Nyonya cookery class in Penang for locals and tourists visiting the island.
Her classes are regularly recommended as one of the best cooking classes in Penang thanks to their personal, home-based setting and focus on traditional recipes.
Mr Globalmouse headed out on an early weekend morning to be met by Pearly and try out some of the dishes and learn about the techniques of Nyonya cooking. And also hear some of Pearly’s philosophy behind her passion for food and fresh ingredients.
Penang cooking class experience – starting at Pulau Tikus Market
We headed for Pearly’s house in the hills above George Town on Penang Island for her home cooking school. But took a diversion before we reached there.
One of the things that makes this Penang cooking class so unique is that it doesn’t start in the kitchen – it starts at the market.
So first stop was to the popular market in Pulau Tikus.
It was here that Pearly wanted to begin her cookery school. Not with aprons and pans, but with an immersive experience in the market.
Smelling, tasting and exploring the fresh herbs, spices, fruits and veggies which were part of the island’s produce.
There were large sections of the market given over to meats and freshly caught stocks of fish piled high and ready for sale.
This part of the experience really sets this Penang cooking class apart, giving you a deeper understanding of local ingredients and how important freshness is in Nyonya cooking.
Pearly is passionate about cooking with fresh produce and wants to instil this in her students too. Around the market we tasted fresh and delicious street food like peanut pancakes.
And string hoppers covered with cinnamon. Absolutely delicious.
Cooking at Penang cooking class – a Nyonya cookery class with Pearly Kee
We drove on to Pearly’s home and to her outdoor kitchen area. Situated under a cooling patio shaded from the hot Malaysian sun.
Here we were to spend the rest of the morning creating a feast.
The cooking stations are set up for a number of people to cook at any one time. So that families and groups can be easily catered for.
This makes it a fantastic option if you’re travelling with kids or as part of a group, as everyone can get involved.
We were cooking three different dishes which would make up our lunch.
The preparation was incredibly important with the ingredients individually washed in water before. And lots of helpful advice from Pearly was given on the ways to chop, dice and slice.
At the heart of each of the dishes was the essence that everything we were cooking with was as fresh as possible.
Curry Kapitan
We kicked off with a Curry Kapitan. This was aromatic and creamy with a coconut curry sauce.
This is one of the most well-known Nyonya dishes and a great introduction to the flavours of Penang cooking.
Making the paste you learn lots about getting the technique just right and not rushing at making the dish. Pearly has a wonderful way of making you feel relaxed and helping you learn at the same time.
Pearly laughs a lot too so the morning moves along in a really pleasant way. You prepare the dishes in a lovely atmosphere.
Needless to say the dish was perfect with Pearly’s watchful eye helping ensure the clay pot cooking was well attended to.
Sambal Goreng – Penang cooking class – a Nyonya cookery class with Pearly Kee
We whipped up a veggie version of Sambal Goreng. Fried chilli and aubergines with a home-made cashew nut sauce.
Masala curried potatoes – Penang cooking class – a Nyonya cookery class with Pearly Kee
And Masala Curried Potatoes which were pungent and my favourite dish of the day.
Over lunch, Pearly and I talk about our visit to the market and why it was so important to start the day there. How by meeting with the stall holders you can get to know them and understand their food.
Pearly also talks passionately about seeking out food which is nutritious and wholesome. And passing this passion and understanding on to our children through cooking.
This focus on culture, ingredients and storytelling is what makes this more than just a cooking class in Penang – it’s a full cultural experience.
Is this Penang cooking class worth it?
Absolutely. If you’re looking for an authentic, hands-on cooking class in Penang, this is one of the best experiences you can book.
The combination of market visit, home cooking environment and expert guidance makes it ideal for anyone wanting to learn more about Malaysian and Nyonya cuisine.
It’s also perfect for families, food lovers and anyone wanting to take a piece of Penang home with them through cooking.
FAQ – Penang cooking classes
What is the best cooking class in Penang?
There are several great options, but home-based classes like Pearly Kee’s are often rated highly for their authenticity and personal touch.
Are cooking classes in Penang worth it?
Yes, they offer a deeper insight into local food culture and are a highlight for many visitors.
What food will you learn to cook in Penang?
Most classes focus on Malaysian and Nyonya dishes such as curries, sambals and traditional rice or noodle dishes.
It’s certainly a lesson we will use when creating our own fusion dishes at home, inspired by an enlivening experience of the world of Nyonya cooking.
If you’re planning a trip to Penang, adding a cooking class to your itinerary is one of the best ways to truly experience the island.
You can find out more about Pearly Kee’s Home Cookery classes at her website here.
Find more of our Malaysia posts here –
Find all of our Top 10 things to do in Penang with kids and also read our full account of our trip with Our diary of two weeks in Malaysia with kids.
Beautiful, what an amazing way to be immersed in a country’s culture and culinary traditions!xx
What a treat to cook with all sorts of exotic ingredients……I would be steering clear of the fish though
Oh my, What a great cultural experience to get to shop and cook alongside Pearly. Learning from the locals rather than a book cannot be topped.
What an amazing experience, some of that food looks wonderful!
Wow those look delicious and I just love all the colours of different ingredients
wow that looks amazing what a great experience, I would love to do something like this.
WOW, I love trying different foods. the dishes look very tasty.