New Instagrammable Restaurant Serving Modern Nyonya Cuisine - Rempah 百分料理 @ Lebuh Pantai, Penang

Established beside the renowned China House, Rempah 百分料理 has deviated from the conventional Nyonya restaurant setting - vintage ambiance, brick walls and classic wooden furniture. Instead, the restaurant took a bold approach with minimalist modern setting, along with a bar counter that makes the place highly Instagrammable. Perhaps this is one of the marketing strategy that entice the youngsters, tourists and Muslim community (the restaurant is pork free and claimed to using Halal-certified ingredients, though not halal certified) to dine in here and try out the dying Nyonya cuisine. The menu is small here, offering a few classic Nyonya dishes and the price is steep, though you will get rewarded with pleasant palate experience. Prepare to wait for some time for your food to get served too.

The menu is divided into few sections - appetizers, main dishes, vegetables, desserts, non-alcoholic and alcohol drinks. For appetizers, we had Hea Kean (RM 18), or translated to English as prawn fritters. The restaurant has expertly make the fritters to be crisp and delicious. It pairs perfectly with the tangy chili sauce that has a generous peanuts on it. 

Other popular Nyonya appetizers offered here such as Ju Hu Char with Pie Tee Cup, Otak-Otak and Mango Kerabu.

There are only 6 main courses available here, and we decided to go with Peng Hu (RM 28). The fish was grilled to perfection in banana leaves, and was nice to enjoy itself without the condiments actually. Of course, the condiments elevated the dish into a higher level. This is probably one of the best marinated grilled fish without char that we really enjoyed.

Vegetable options are limited too, and we decided to go for Sambal Terung Bakar (RM 15), which is grilled eggplant topped with sambal paste. It was an okay dish, nothing to shout about, yet nothing goes wrong with it. Those enjoying stink beans can go for Sambal Buah Petai though.

Only 4 types of desserts being offered - Creme Bruele, Coconut Panna Cotta, Chocolate Banana Wrap and Pandan Kaya Mousse with Sago Melaka (RM 22). Undeniably the Pandan Kaya Mousse is expertly crafted - rich in flavour, yet not surfeiting with its sweetness. Expect to portion to be petite and trying to emulate fine-dine serving by only occupying a fragment of the plate. Even small appetite person would find the dessert to be insufficient we presume. 

Hot Chocolate (RM 14) here is good too.

Overall, if you do not mind spending extra monies and enjoy Nyonya food in a sophisticated setting, then Rempah 百分料理 is worth a try. However, it is not meant for a place with classic family outing, unless the seniors in your house are open minded to accept Nyonya cuisine in such a way.