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On the 907 bus heading towards Doncaster, Erica Zhang, a student in Melbourne, scrolled through reviews of Penang Flavours on Rednote, thinking about which fried rice vermicelli dish to order.
After a week of study, Erica decided to spend her Saturday outside the city. What she did not expect was that a simple meal would turn into a memorable culinary discovery.
Located opposite Doncaster Library, Penang Flavours is a modest Malaysian restaurant serving delicious Penang dishes. It also has Chinese-speaking staff members, which is convenient for local Chinese customers.
“The price is reasonable, and the portions are very generous,” Erica said. “We ordered two fried rice vermicelli dishes and still wanted to try the coconut rice, but the waitress told us that would be enough for two people.”
While the fried rice vermicelli impressed her, it was the Nyonya Kuih displayed near the cashier that truly caught her attention.
Nyonya Kuih is one of the traditional desserts and a part of the cultural heritage in Southeast Asia. It includes various types, such as Pulut Tekan and Rempah Udang.
Typically made with glutinous rice, coconut milk, palm sugar and pandan leaves, Nyonya Kuih is known for its appearance and flavours.
“I hardly ever see Nyonya Kuih in Melbourne city,” she said. “The colours of Nyonya Kuih are vibrant, and they look appetising.”
Although Erica was curious about Nyonya Kuih, she ultimately decided not to try them.
“I was too full after eating the fried rice vermicelli, which is called Singapore Bee Hoon,” she said. “But I will definitely come back again to try the Nyonya Kuih.”
From cafes to Chinese, Korean and Malaysian restaurants, Doncaster is quietly establishing itself as a hub for multicultural dining, giving people a chance to venture into food beyond Melbourne city.
After returning to Melbourne, Erica said she would come back for the Nyonya Kuih and also try the Korean restaurant in Doncaster next time.
