In the 16th centuries, the Straits Settlements of Penang, Malacca and Singapore has withnessed the mingling of cultures between the early Chinese immigrants with the Malays, Indian and Indonesian. The Straits-born Chinese, or the Peranakans, emerged out of this 'melting pot' with a set of customs. cultures, language, architecture, cuisine and values wholly their own. Their colourful speech, ornate full-scale ceremonies, and distnctive terrace houses reflect this rich medley of influences. The Peranakans are celebrated for their cuisine, whose main ingredients used are Chinese enriched with the blend of a host of culinary styles. This wealth of heritage has been well perserved at Peranakan Place.