Dining with the Chef

Rika's TOKYO CUISINE in Penang

The third installment in our cooking documentary series where Chef Rika Yukimasa takes a break from her usual introductions of everyday Japanese cooking recipes, to travel throughout Asia and visit local chefs for cooking sessions to help her develop the new Tokyo Cuisine. This time, she’ll be visiting Malaysia’s Penang Island, famous for its incredible food. Penang’s blend of many cultures has made it a treasure trove of fusion cooking. George Town, Penang is even registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its beauty, but what really draws gourmands from around the world is the wide variety of ingredients and techniques employed in the local food. One type of food found here has been of particular note in recent years, as Rika heads to Penang to try Peranakan, or Nyonya, cuisine for herself. After getting a taste of the Nyonya food culture, Rika will work to use Penang ingredients for a new style of Japanese cooking.