Motormouth From Ipoh – Asian Food & Travel Blog

Welcome to the umpteenth chapter of Motormouth’s Malacca Food & Travel Guide. The 2011 – History. Diversity. Gastronomy series (spanning two chapters – Chapter One and Chapter Two) were loaded with so much words and food photos that a few readers actually fainted from the massive onslaught of details. Okay, almost fainted.

HOE KEE CHICKEN RICE @ JONKER STREET

Thus, for this 2012 chapter with more than half a dozen food stops, and around 30 pictures, I’ll be merciful for once and stop the yapping and condensing everything into brief summaries. If you have burning questions or simply feel like annoying me (for the sake of it), drop me a mail HERE.

Ready for the ride?

THE CHICKEN RICE WAR – Hoe Kee vs Famosa vs Chung Wah

Verdict? Chung Wah’s line was longer. Ridiculously packed compared to the other two. And this corner coffee shop was the least appealing (decor-wise) in comparison. Personally, I think both Chung Wah and Hoe Kee serve similar quality poached chicken (mediocre, at best), while the chicken rice shaped into balls and chili sauce were the defining metrics. Chung Wah had that slight edge over Hoe Kee for  both.

HOE KEE CHICKEN RICE SHOP
4, Jalan Hang Jebat (Jonker Street)
Opens from early morning (around 7.30am) until  4pm.
GPS Coordinates : 2.195076,102.248345

KEDAI MAKANAN DAN MINUMAN SOON HOE – WANTAN MEE

Verdict? One of the earliest wantan noodle stalls in Melaka, this inconspicuous shop along Heeren Street (Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock) serves typical Malaccan-style wantan mee tossed with vinegar-based chili sauce and topped with slivers of chicken and slices of roasted pork (Char siew). Not the best wantan mee out there, pale in comparison to Pontian’s or even KL version, don’t shoot yourself for missing this for breakfast.

KEDAI MAKANAN DAN MINUMAN SOON HOE
40, Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock,
Opens from 7.30am until 2.30pm.
Closed Wednesdays

JONKER 88 FAMOUS DURIAN CENDOL (read my previous review HERE)

Verdict? If …. only if, you have the time and patience. Used to be so much easier to grab a seat in the late afternoons, but now …. you can see for yourself. Still a darn good ‘gula melaka’ syrup drizzled on the shaved ice desserts, but there ARE options if you know where to find them.

JONKER 88
88, Jalan Hang Jebat,
75200 Melaka
GPS  :2.196727,102.246666

PINEAPPLE TARTS, TRADITIONAL BISCUITS & WAH AIK SHOEMAKER

Read my LW Nyonya Pineapple Tarts review or the slightly more premium ones (tasted almost the same, but double the jam and price) from Nancy’s Kitchen

DURIAN JAM from SAN SHU GONG (Facebook page) – Offering a respite from the overwhelming heat in the afternoon, plus shopping paradise for souvenir-seekers.

SUN MAY HIONG SATAY HOUSE

Verdict? Further away from the mainstream perimeters of the tourist trail (Jonker Streets), Sun May Hiong offers a wonderful alternative to pork satay (Satay babi) in Melaka. The other famous names include Xiang Ji and Ming’s Sate Hut near to Nadeje’s near Dataran Pahlawan. Sun May Hiong was crowded even in the late afternoon; serving nothing but grilled skewered pork and innards over the charcoal flame, served with a spicy peanut sauce balanced by the tangy flavour from the blended pineapples. Or was it starfruit? Well worth the try for the expertly-marinated meat yet could do with a chunkier portion.

SUN MAY HIONG SATAY HOUSE (non-Halal)
50/50A, Jalan Kota Laksamana 1/1,
Taman Kota Laksamana, Melaka
GPS  :2.192723,102.244716
*Crossing over the Melaka river, after passing by the new Casa Del Rio hotel on your left, you will see the cluster of shops on your left as well. Sun May Hiong is somewhere here, the shop is facing the river.

DONALD & LILLY’S (now moved to a new premise) was perpetually packed during lunch hour; to a point where sharing a table was almost a prerequisite!

DONALD & LILLY’S (new location)
No 16, Grd Floor, Jalan KSB 1
Taman Kota Shahbandar,
75200 Melaka
Closed Mondays, Opens from 8am – 5pm.
GPS Coordinates : 2.193854N, 102.2372836E (from their Facebook page)

BUKIT CINA CENDOL & MEE REBUS

Verdict? Fancy eating a bowl of cendol served near to a cemetery? This is the famous place. But now moved into a roofed premise named Restoran Sakina by the main road, the horrific chance of sighting shadows from the netherworld during your cendol jaunt could be significantly reduced. The Mee Campur was a moderately spicy version, yet leaving not much of an impression. The Cendol was only passable though; a heaven-sent on a sunny day but far from the best that Melaka can offer.

BUKIT CINA CENDOL & MEE REBUS
Restoran Sakina,
Jalan Laksamana Cheng Ho, Melaka
GPS  :2.194969,102.257635
*After passing by Perigi Hang Li Po (the historic wells of Hang Li Po) on the LEFT, you shall pass the Chinese cemetery on the LEFT as well. This cendol outlet is on your RIGHT.

KLEBANG ORIGINAL COCONUT SHAKE

Verdict? Can you imagine lining up with dozens of people, or seated and wait for a very long time just to savour a cup of Coconut Shake? Essentially consisting of coconut water, coconut flesh and vanilla ice-cream blended with ice and served in plastic cups, the crowd literally go ga-ga over this refreshing blend!

KLEBANG ORIGINAL COCONUT SHAKE
Jalan Klebang Besar,
Klebang, Melaka
GPS : N2.21583 E102.20688
Next to the Caltex petrol station. Hard to miss the stall by the road and the cars parked haphazardly!

PERKAMPUNGAN IKAN BAKAR TERAPUNG UMBAI

Verdict? East-bound, a slight distance further than Portuguese Settlement will lead you to the Malay-style of grilled fish and other seafood in Umbai. Generally cheaper (not dirt-cheap though) than the Portuguese version, with variations to the sauces and cooking methods used, a journey from Melaka town to Umbai can take you half an hour or so. We picked a grilled siakap (barramundi) that came very fresh and succulent, but definitely more than enough for two. The crispy batter-coated fried calamari was excellent too, but the chili mussels was a disappointment. The seafood here can be served with white rice, or like us, with packets of nasi lemak and a deadly sambal kicap with chopped cili padi.

PERKAMPUNGAN IKAN BAKAR TERAPUNG UMBAI
Off Jalan Teluk Emas/Umbai
GPS : 2.155044,102.338428
(There are more than 10 stalls selling the same range of food; and we picked one beside the entrance. Go with your gut feelings, as there are several others that were populated too)

JONKER STREET coming alive at night; this coiled dragon was probably to usher in the Year of the Dragon?

JONKER WALK during the daytime is still a hive of activities; as in the case of this flea market off Jonker Street with peddlers selling more than a few interesting knick-knacks.

CHENG HOON TENG TEMPLE (Read about this oldest Chinese temple on Wikipedia)

Along Jalan Tukang Emas, nicknamed Harmony Street for a very obvious reason; the close proximity between three religious houses representing the major races of Malaysia;

Malay – Masjid Kampung Kling
Chinese – Cheng Hoon Teng Temple
Indian – Sri Poyatha Moorthi Temple

MASJID KAMPUNG KLING (Read about this mosque on Wikipedia)

SRI POYATHA MOORTHI TEMPLE (Read about this Indian temple on Wikipedia)

And with that allow me to conclude this last chapter on Malacca for 2012. A heritage town built upon the strength of tourism, Malacca has always been one of the most fascinating getaways for us; a mere two hours drive from Kuala Lumpur and featuring more and more attractions, coupled with delicious food finds. The journey to discover the most historic town in Malaysia will thus, continue in 2013 ……

**More Malacca travel stories can be found here:

Malacca 2011 – History. Diversity. Gastronomy (Part 1/2)
Malacca 2011 – History. Diversity. Gastronomy (Part 2/2)
Motormouth In Malacca Again (Part 1)Donald & Lilly’s, Tengkera Nyonya Kuih & Nadeje’s Mille Crepe Cake
Seafood @ Portuguese Settlement