To step into Martina's Kitchen is to step into a living legacy. "Peranakan" is a vibrant culture, a storied history, and a philosophy of life.

The Peranakan identity became more prominent in Singapore during the mid-19th century, flourishing within the Straits Settlements of Malacca, Penang, and Singapore. It was within this rich cultural tapestry that Martina Koh was born in 1920. A Nyonya of Singapore, Martina married Joseph Gey, a Chinese artist from Anxi (安溪), in her early twenties. Together, they raised six children, weaving a unique mixed heritage that began at the very heart of their home kitchen.

In Martina's home, the "marriage of ingredients" was a daily celebration. Pungent Malay aromatics such as cinnamon, lemongrass, and galangal were masterfully balanced with Chinese pantry staples like ginger, garlic, and white pepper. The result was a flavour profile defined by its earthy, spicy, tangy, and deeply aromatic hues.