Food on Foot: Jonker Walk and Around, Melaka
Malacca, or more commonly known to us as Melaka, is a relatively small state, about an hour and a half drive from KL (assuming smooth traffic). With its close distance, it is no surprise it has become the choice of many for a day trip, of makan-makan or jalan-jalan (food or travel). Expect crowd during weekends or long breaks. And long queues are common sights.
Its city, like the state, is relatively small, and most attraction and interesting sites can be easily reached on foot. If you drive, i recommend to park your car and walk instead, to save you the hassle of beating the heavy traffic and finding a parking spot.
One of the best places to walk is Jonker Walk (Jonker Street) and the best times are weekend nights (night market) where you can find souvenir and food, almost every corner. With the hot and humid air, be ready to feel 'sticky' as you join the sweaty crowd. A cool shower after is the best. No matter how many times i visit Melaka, or Jonker Walk, i always feel like a traveller (in a good way). A reason i like Melaka.
I always enter Jonker from crossing the bridge, where the Hard Rock Cafe is located (hereafter known as the mouth).
Chicken Rice Ball
One local specialty you should never leave Melaka without is the cute but tasteful chicken rice ball. There are other places around Melaka but if you're here, i recommend the popular, usually crowded corner shop near the mouth (Kedai Kopi Chung Wah, if you are patient). Otherwise, try the restaurant on the left street of the Jonker mouth, plainly known as the Jonker Street Chicken Rice Ball shop.
Mix chicken for RM35 and rice balls for RM0.50 each (during peak times, limited 3 pieces per customer). The handmade rice balls were aromatic. We prefer the steamed chicken. The Cencaluk egg (RM 10) was rather disappointing as there wasn't much taste of the cencaluk.
Baba/Nyonya/Melaka Cendol
Sweet tooth or not, i recommend the local cendol. Crushed ice, green jelly cendol, red bean paste, nuts, and most importantly, gula Melaka, makes this an absolute must try, more so on a hot day.
Tornado Potatoes
Not exactly a local specialty but definitely a snack you'll see people munching on and you'd want to grab a stick. Crispy chips with various flavours to choose from. Just be careful you don't poke someone when finished.
Pineapple Tarts
Thinking of something to bring home as snacks, get these baked, golden tarts. Sweet sour to tease the taste buds.
Dim Sum
Again, not a local must try but the wide spread is eye catchy. Choose any 5 for RM 3- and it's a good deal.
Coconut
People throng at the mouth for these coconut options- fresh, jelly, salad, ice cream. Worth a try.
Satay Babi (Pork)
There are a few shops in Jonker but we prefer another that's not far from here, Sun May Hiong at Kota Laksamana. The sticks were small but yummy. Unlike the kuah in KL, here was slightly sourish (i still like it that i can take it like a soup).
Popiah
Only discovered recently, also not in Jonker but walking distance, is the delicious Bunga Raya Popiah at Bunga Raya.
Put on your shoes, eat and walk, and eat again.
There are others which i have not included on this post: Fried Oyster Omelette, Wan Tan Mee, Nyonya Kuih, Woo Kiau Fish Ball Noodles but they are worth the try.
Its city, like the state, is relatively small, and most attraction and interesting sites can be easily reached on foot. If you drive, i recommend to park your car and walk instead, to save you the hassle of beating the heavy traffic and finding a parking spot.
One of the best places to walk is Jonker Walk (Jonker Street) and the best times are weekend nights (night market) where you can find souvenir and food, almost every corner. With the hot and humid air, be ready to feel 'sticky' as you join the sweaty crowd. A cool shower after is the best. No matter how many times i visit Melaka, or Jonker Walk, i always feel like a traveller (in a good way). A reason i like Melaka.
I always enter Jonker from crossing the bridge, where the Hard Rock Cafe is located (hereafter known as the mouth).
Performance on stage.
Lively night.
Chicken Rice Ball
One local specialty you should never leave Melaka without is the cute but tasteful chicken rice ball. There are other places around Melaka but if you're here, i recommend the popular, usually crowded corner shop near the mouth (Kedai Kopi Chung Wah, if you are patient). Otherwise, try the restaurant on the left street of the Jonker mouth, plainly known as the Jonker Street Chicken Rice Ball shop.
Baba/Nyonya/Melaka Cendol
Sweet tooth or not, i recommend the local cendol. Crushed ice, green jelly cendol, red bean paste, nuts, and most importantly, gula Melaka, makes this an absolute must try, more so on a hot day.
Jonker 88 is located somewhere middle of the Street and is usually crowded all the way in.
Frankly, this is overrated. Very sweet but rich with santan flavour. Slightly expensive but big enough to share.
I enjoyed this Nyonya Cendol more. Sold at a small shop next to Orchado near the mouth, it also has a strong santan (coconut) flavour, fresh cendol and just-the-right sweetness level of gula Melaka. The bowl would have more character but the lady said she was underhanded, so only plastic cups that day. I scream for iced.... cendol!
Tornado Potatoes
Pineapple Tarts
Thinking of something to bring home as snacks, get these baked, golden tarts. Sweet sour to tease the taste buds.
Dim Sum
Again, not a local must try but the wide spread is eye catchy. Choose any 5 for RM 3- and it's a good deal.
Coconut
People throng at the mouth for these coconut options- fresh, jelly, salad, ice cream. Worth a try.
Satay Babi (Pork)
There are a few shops in Jonker but we prefer another that's not far from here, Sun May Hiong at Kota Laksamana. The sticks were small but yummy. Unlike the kuah in KL, here was slightly sourish (i still like it that i can take it like a soup).
Tasty.
Popiah
Only discovered recently, also not in Jonker but walking distance, is the delicious Bunga Raya Popiah at Bunga Raya.
Not cut and eat as it is. This RM 4 is stuffed with lard (that makes it special), raddish and other ingredients. The queue can be long too.
Put on your shoes, eat and walk, and eat again.
There are others which i have not included on this post: Fried Oyster Omelette, Wan Tan Mee, Nyonya Kuih, Woo Kiau Fish Ball Noodles but they are worth the try.
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