Since 2008, Melaka has been listed as UNESCO World Heritage Site, together as Penang. Thus, their historical buildings and cultures are the things you should look for. But, not only those, because what I love about Melacca is their FOOD too! This is one of the food heaven in Malaysia, besides KL and Penang. Their history as old as 15th centuries enriches the selections of their cuisines.
With easy access from the capital city, almost everyday you can see many people swarming Melaka. And if you talked about where to go in Melaka, Jonker and it’s surrounding is your destination. It has everything the city has to offer; historical buildings still standing still, museums, the harmony street and the highest natural peak in the city located nearby.
Some cuisines are packed in around Jonker too! So if you’re schedule is tight, this area is perfect. Otherwise, I suggest you to expand your search, since other areas have their hidden gems.
Anyway, here are some food that you should try!
Famosa Rice Ball
Famosa rice ball is the most famous one in Melaka. As the name suggested: it’s rice shaped into bite size ball. And eaten with steamed/fried chicken with chilli sauce. Famosa means famous, as there’s a ruin of a fortress with the name A Famosa in Melaka. Can be found troughout Melaka, and several vendors sell them in Jonker.
My honest review? Taste so-so. 😬
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| Famosa rice ball with fried chicken and tea tarik, for RM12.5 (IDR44k or US$3) |
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| One of the restaurants that served Famosa Rice Ball in Jonker |
Laksa & Assam Laksa
Laksa is a staple dish in Singapore and Malaysia, especially peranakan. Consists of rice noodles with thick spicy red or yellowish curry coconut milk broth. Sometimes topped with chicken, tofu, prawn or fish. At some part in Malaysia, the fish is chunked into the broth. Assam laksa is the sour version of laksa.
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| Assam laksa that I tried in Jonker walk. With only RM6 (IDR21k or US$1.4) the taste was SUPERB! |
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| Partnering Assam Laksa with Ice longan tea. HEAVEN! RM2 or IDR 7k or US$ 0.5 |
Seafood
Fresh seafood sold in Jonker Night Market. Let my pictures tell the story.
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| Fresh seafood at Jonker walk night market! |
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| Order here |
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| This weird looking prawn |
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| Omlette oyster |
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| Fresh oysters |
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| Grilled sacllop with garlic |
Tandoori Chicken & Garlic Naan
Indian cuisines can be found in Indian/Melayu restaurant. Tandoori chicken is red spicied chicken grilled inside a clay barrel. Naan is a kind of flat bread. If you love garlic, go for garlic naan. The garlic naan here is amazing. The foodcourt at Seri Sahabat also served tandoori chicken and naan, as well as nasi kandar. It’s also open 24 hours.
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| Tandoori chicken |
Radish Cake
Originaly from Teocheow area, southern Chinese. Now becomes staple food in Malaysia & Singapore. Made from radish flour, but don’t espect the texture would be hard & crunchy like the real radish. It’s super soft like silk tofu, and garlicky!
Cendol (with durian available)
Try Nyonya cendol around Jonker. The famous ones are located there. Rich topping like red beans, grass jelly, sweet corn, condensed milk and if you like it: durian! And not just the durian paste, but the real one.
Ice Cream Durian
You know Malaysia loves durian, and their pride is the Musang King durian. Of course they try to make use of it most, like putting it on cendol, or make ice cream out of it! Find it on the corner of Jonker Walk, near the grey-ish Jonker gate nearby jalan Kudu.
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| Durian ice cream at Jonker |
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| Durian ice cream with cone |
Durian Creampuff & Egg Tart
Durian again! But this time, they make it into creampuff. But not only durian fillings, they also have vanilla & chocolate as well. Also try their egg tarts! The shop opens everyday at Jonker walk.
Ice Kepal Milo
A popular one, shredded ice then topped with Milo – a milk powder brand with it’s distinct flavor. Then topped with other toppings as well, like jelly, crushed nuts or durian.
Wholefruit Watermelon Juice
They called it tembikai juice. A full watermelon, but usually baby head sized. They make a hole on the watermelon then scrambled the inside, make a juice out of a full watermelon. Then you drink from it! Can be found at Jonker night walk or across Stadhuys.
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| Juice tembikai |
Sliced Young Coconut
Usually when you order young coconut, they give you a full coconut with the shell intacts. Only the top part is sliced to make a hole so your straw can be inserted, and your hand can scrape out the meat inside. But here in Jonker Walk Night Market (only week end bazaar) they fully sliced the shell leaving you only the meat. The straw is punctured to the meat!
