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Travel Blitz #6 – Like A Recurring Dream : A Mini Hakka Food Tour @ Melaka

June 10, 2012 | 9,882 views
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Interior of Hakka Zhan

Is this a Museum or a Temple, you asked?

Talk about irony. Just a few days after writing about Hakka Rang Restaurant in Kota Damansara; a Chinese restaurant specializing in Hakka cuisine with a formidable line up of backing from media exposure and fan base, here we were again; dining at Hakka Zhan Restaurant. But this time about 150km down south in the historical town of Melaka, within a short distance away from Pak Putra; the Tandoori & Naan specialist.

Hakka Dishes @ Hakka Zhan Restaurant

Four dishes for 2 pax. And yet still left me hankering for more. I am a natural when it comes to auditioning for an ogre character.

Hakka Zhan Restaurant @ Melaka

Hakka Zhan Restaurant @ Taman Kota Laksamana, Melaka

After the umpteenth visit to Melaka within the past half year (try digesting the two chapters of Malacca – History. Diversity. Gastronomy series, and a subsequent 2D/1N saga to be posted soon), I could really use some help from the locals or gastronomic extraordinaire with a strong penchant for hunting down the best street food within the region.

Hence, the short notice prior to this business trip left me incapacitated from proper planning (work+leisure comes together, no point separating them …). But a colleague of mine who’s a local brought me for dinner at Hakka Zhan Restaurant, same row with Asam Pedas Claypot (which I have not tried, but had our lunch at Asam Pedas Selera Kampung @ Plaza Mahkota on the same day), and a stone’s throw away from Pak Putra; what many had claimed to be the best Tandoori in Melaka.

Some went to the extent of crowning this the best in Malaysia.

Regardless, the dinner at Hakka Zhan was satisfactory; though how we wished we had gathered a larger crowd to sample their signature Traditional Mutton Steamboat; or the variant of Duck Claypot Steamboat.

The Mui Choy Pork (RM15/USD5) and Steamed Jenak Fish Teochew style (RM19/USD6) were both evidences of excellence in the culinary department; transforming homely dishes into delicious feasts served in this restaurant. The Claypot Eggplant with Basil Leaves (RM8/USD2.70) was my favourite dish of the evening. Doused in a sweetish gravy and kept warm in the claypot, the slices of eggplant (brinjal/aubergine) were packed with an explosive myriad of flavours; and textures from fried garlic, chopped scallions and aroma from the basil leaves.

HAKKA ZHAN RESTAURANT (non-Halal)
76, Taman Kota Laksamana
75200 Melaka, Malaysia.
Tel No : +6012-331 3611
Business hours : 12pm – 3pm, 5pm – 11pm.

Avillion Legacy Hotel Melaka

Avillion Legacy Hotel (www) @ Jalan Hang Tuah

This was the first time I was put up at Avillion Legacy Hotel on Jalan Hang Tuah, a short distance away from town. A blessing for those who want to escape the claustrophobic streets and alleys within the major tourist area. That being said, this supposedly 4 stars establishment definitely has seen better days.

Checking-in took me a good 15 minutes although I was the only guest. Towels came with stains (don’t ask what), and with holes. Thankfully, the bed was comfortable and clean. The room reeked of an unpleasant damp smell and broadband/Wifi does NOT come complimentary, but at RM20 per day is still very reasonable.

I’ll probably stick to the newer boutique hotels or even budget ones around town (there are a dime a dozen!) if I’m travelling next time.

Kubu Famous Yong Tau Foo

A Hakka breakfast of Fish Ball Noodles with Yong Tau Foo @ Jalan Kubu, Melaka

On the very next day, breakfast was at this corner coffee shop on Jalan Kubu that screams old-school. Only one stall selling fish ball noodles, yet the premise was packed on a weekday morning. Signs of good things to come?

The kuey teow (flat rice noodles) resembled Chee Cheong Fun quality of rice noodles instead; a thicker and dense strands unlike Ipoh’s version. Tossed in a rather bland concoction of sauces (soy sauce and dark soy sauce being the prominent ones), and finished up with fried shallot and chopped scallions. The fish balls are definitely the draw here; larger than the generic ones sold elsewhere, with a bounce that’s not unnatural. Served with a combination of chili and sweet sauce, the YTF here had none of the ‘wow’ factor that will draw tourists by the busloads, yet has definitely touched many hearts; especially those growing up in Melaka town.

KUBU YONG TAU FOO
@ junction of Jalan Kubu and Jalan Tan Chay Yan
,
75300 Melaka
GPS Coordinates : 2.200013,102.245812
Opens for breakfast til early lunch

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Melaka 2012
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Avillion Legacy Hotel, Chinese Food, Hakka Food, Melaka, Travel Blitz, Yong Tau Foo
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« I Ain’t No “Hakka Rang”, But Some Abacus Seeds Won’t Hurt Either! Wordless Wednesday : Vicchuda Tomyam & Seafood @ Damansara Uptown »

5 Responses to “Travel Blitz #6 – Like A Recurring Dream : A Mini Hakka Food Tour @ Melaka”

  1. The Yum List says:
    June 11, 2012 at 6:07 pm

    Just heard about Pak Putra last night. Another place to try while in Malacca. Seems I’ll have to move down here to even make a dint on the must eat list. 🙂

    [Reply]

    J2Kfm Reply:
    June 13th, 2012 at 10:14 pm

    Haha …. can do weekend getaways. Short 2 days trip will do.

    [Reply]

  2. Melaka 2014 – Nyonya Laksa, Pie Tee & Popiah @ 486 Baba Low, Tengkera ← Apply Vietnam Visa in Laos says:
    April 18, 2014 at 10:11 pm

    […] sharing; from a traditional Teo Chew porridge stall that has stayed out of a radar for decades, a Hakka restaurant value giving adult that cooking of Satay Celup (again?!), a Teo Chew seafood grill portion […]

  3. Hajjah Mona Asam Pedas @ Melaka (Halal Food) | Motormouth From Ipoh - Malaysian Food & Travel says:
    April 19, 2014 at 9:53 am

    […] venture to the next round; Asam Pedas Claypot Kota Laksamana (further down the road, same row with Hakka Zhan) and the many stalls patronised by locals at Pasar Borong Taman Merdeka. Well, with annual and […]

  4. Ricky says:
    June 23, 2014 at 2:22 pm

    Hi There To All The Chinese Restaurant Owner`s…Urgently Wanted Chainese Restaurant At Jalan Ipoh Good Location .Anyone Who Are Interested Contact Me By
    Email rickyd72@gmail.com Thank You.

    [Reply]

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