London Supper Clubs
Despite having travelled the world in search of the best eats and completing my culinary training at Le Cordon Bleu, there’s still no cuisine closer to my heart than the Malaysian Nyonya food from my childhood.
Also known as Straits-Chinese or Peranakan cuisine, the term ‘Nyonya’ generally refers to the descendants of 15th and 16th century Chinese immigrants who moved to Malaya from Southern China. As they settled in Malaya, a new breed of Malaysian cuisine combining Chinese and Malay influences emerged, incorporating local ingredients such as chillies, lemongrass and fermented shrimp paste (‘belacan’) amongst others. All this makes for food with a balance, depth and complexity of flavours like no other.
Growing up in Malaysia, I was lucky enough to be nurtured with some of the finest Nyonya cuisine in the comfort of our family home, all lovingly prepared by my godmother who hails from Penang. Over the years, I have watched her every move in the kitchen, soaking up recipes and techniques that have been passed down through the generations. And it’s through this Malaysian Nyonya Supper Club, hosted at various Pop-up venues across London that I hope to share with you my passion for all things Nyonya over a multi-course tasting menu.
Upcoming Supper Club Dates
We are back hosting Supper Clubs at some of our favourite Pop-Up venues around London such as the ESEA (East & South East Asia community centre) and Sambal Shiok Laksa Bar. Please follow us on our instagram (@guan_chua) or drop us an email (guanleong(AT)gmail(DOT)com) to be added to my Supper Club newsletter to hear about any upcoming events.
Upcoming events:
@Swilipino X @Guan_Chua Pop Up at ESEACC – Sun Dec 7th 2025 6.30pm [**SOLD OUT – DM to waitlist]
Past events:
@JokeBakare X @Guan_Chua Pop Up at HCCS – Sat Apr 1st 2023
@CelestialPeach_UK X @Guan_Chua Pop Up at HCCS – Sat July 22nd 2023
Nyonya Supper Club @HackneyChinese Community Services – Aug 19th 2023
@OishinBoy |X| @Guan_Chua Pop up @ HCCS – Sept 2023
Nyonya Supper Club @HackneyChinese Community Services – Dec 9th 2023
Nyonya Supper Club @HackneyChinese Community Services – Apr 13th 2024
@RangoonSisters X @Guan_Chua @ ESEA Community Centre – Dec 8th 2024
Hope to see you soon at one of the upcoming sessions!
Guan
this is really brilliant Guan! We wanna join the supper club too!! 🙂 but we’re so far away *CRIES*
@Christine: Will try and host one next time I’m back in KL!
OMG this is what I need to get through the winter!
@Sarah: Drop me an e-mail if you want to hear about future dates Sarah! Tx for stopping by the blog.
Pingback: My Malaysian Nyonya Supper Club: The Debut | the boy who ate the world
Pingback: First Ever Supper Club – theboywhoatetheworld | Bobbieness
Sadly not in London…:(
Pingback: AK Monthly Recap: July 2014 | Adventurous Kate
Hi Guan
Do you show people how to cook in your Friday supper club? Or do you prepare all the meals ready when guests arrive?
@Kim: The Supper Club is more about feeding people than demonstrating dishes. Majority of the preparation is done in advance (some of the spice pastes are quite time intensive), but there is of course some last minute stir-frying and cooking done on the spot to finish dishes off. I do talk through the origins and ingredients used in every dish served though.
Pingback: London Supper Clubs – Dining in the Underbelly of London
This looks and sounds amazing! I want to come!!
Yes feeling homesick and can’t wait to try your food in the new year
Pingback: My 14 eats of 2014 | the boy who ate the world
Do you do any cooking classes pls
@Shakira: Yes, have some classes coming up at the School of Wok near Covent Garden later this year if you are based in Central London. Next one is on 3rd July, details here: http://www.schoolofwok.co.uk/cookery-classes-london/cookery-class-london/fri-3rd-jul-2015-tv-chef-guans-malaysian-feast-6pm-9pmcookery-classes-london – drop me an e-mail at guanleong[at]gmail[dot]com and can add you to my mailing list to keep you posted about future events.
Pingback: theboywhoatetheworld cooks: Nyonya Sambal prawns | the boy who ate the world
Pingback: Dispatches from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (Where to Eat & Stay) - Eat Like a Girl
Helen and I, together with a group of foodies really enjoyed Guan’s supper club dinner. So much so that I have written a post http://bit.ly/1hpELVQ of the event. This supper club dinner is highly recommended.
Michael Oon
@Michael: Was a pleasure hosting u & Helen! Thanks so much for taking the time to write about the experience, glad you enjoyed it.
Pingback: London Winter Cool List - Two Feet, One World
Pingback: Limapulo: the Nyonya food legacy lives on in KL | the boy who ate the world
Hi Guan,
Just wanted to say thanks again for your supper club last Thursday (11th Feb). The food was delicious with flavours like I’d never tasted before, plus you can tell how much heart and soul had gone into it. I’d thoroughly recommend it to anyone interested in supper clubs and/or Malaysian food and the company was also fantastic!
Thanks again and I hope to attend another one again soon!
Best Wishes,
Kat 🙂
@Kat: Aw, thanks again for coming Kat! Glad you enjoyed it and hope to see you back again here soon.
Hey Guan – I don’t suppose you still host supper clubs these days? We’re not active on instagram so not sure if we missed any updates. Would love to join the next session whenever you do organise one!
Pingback: The Flavor Rush That Is Malaysia – Out of This World
Pingback: The Flavor Rush That Is Malaysia – A Bigger World
Pingback: First Ever Supper Club – theboywhoatetheworld – Bobbieness
Pingback: Guan Chua’s Nyonya Supper Club
Pingback: Shoreditch walks and Supper Clubs – slightly weird
Pingback: Superclubbing! The Nyonya Supper Club – slightly weird
Would you do private hire supper club for ten friends please?
@Elsie: Sorry Elsie, I’ve cut down the number of Supper Clubs I host these days, so only hosting mixed group events that are open to the public to attend.
Pingback: Guan Chua’s Nyonya Supper Club – Halalgirlabouttown
Pingback: Asian foods – Site Title
Pingback: Guan Chua's Nyonya Supper Club - Halal Girl About Town