Go Nonya This CNY Season

While most households dive into pencai treasure pots and luxurious seafood at reunion dinners, the Peranakans have their own elaborate spread that would make their neighbours green with envy. Called Tok Panjang, it's a mangling of the Hokkien word Tok for "table" and the Malay Panjang for "long". Literally a "long table", every Peranakan household has its own version, usually showcasing more than 15 different dishes.

This Chinese New Year, chef Damian D'Silva takes on the mammoth cooking task of presenting his own Tok Panjang at Folklore restaurant, using his grandma's recipes.

His comprehensive repertoire includes Peranakan Prawn Salad, where poached prawns signifying wealth and luck sit on top of a bed of lettuce leaves, drizzled with chilli plum sauce and lime juice.