From fiery sambals to sweet coconut palm elixirs, Malaysia’s sauces are the soul of its cuisine — each one a flavour-packed journey through the country’s rich, multicultural dining traditions.

Love is in the air this Valentine’s Day, and what better way to a loved one’s heart than to offer and share sweet treats.

Penang’s Peranakan cuisines — both Nyonya as well as Jawi Peranakan — are some of the earliest examples of cooking where different culinary cultures meet. They start influencing and counter-influencing each other until they’re all so braided, one simply can’t extricate the strands. Get to know more about the different Peranakans and their respective culinary styles.