Malacca or Melaka, the food capital of Malaysia, offers not merely mouth-savouring delicacies, but also a blend of cultural and colonial cuisines that are available right in the middle of the town, making it a ‘food haven’. The specialities of Malacca include ayam pong teh (chicken cooked with soybean paste and dark soy sauce), satay celup (seafood, meat and vegetables cooked in peanut sauce) and Hainanese chicken rice. One of the most popular food of Malacca is the Kristang cuisine which is best described as a melange of Portuguese, Peranakan, Indian, European and Malay ingredients.
Here is the list of 20 must-have street food experiences of Melaka:
1. Chicken Rice Ball at Chung Wah
Say the word ‘Peranakan food’, and you will be right at the doorstep of Nancy’s Kitchen! This family-run Nyonya restaurant serves authentic Peranakan dishes some of which include Pie Tee and Ayam Buah Keluak served with duck and salted juice which has been passed down for three generations.
Opening Hours: 11 AM to 7 PM (Closed on Tuesdays) Location: No 13, Jalan KL 3/8, Taman Kota Laksamana, Malacca Telephone: +60 6-283 6099
11. Duck Drumstick Noodle at Tengkera Duck Noodles
SourceTry the local Malacca famous duck drumstick noodle, which is a crunchy savory dish combined with bee hoon to absorb the robust gravy and served with spicy herbals. You can also taste their crispy pig ear with gelatinous skin along with braised duck meat, pork slices, and eggs!
Opening Hours: 7 AM to 1:30 PM (Closed on Tuesdays) Location: Jalan Kota Laksamana, Malacca
12. Putu Piring at Putu Piring Tengkera
SourceMade from rice flour, stuffed with gula Melaka (palm sugar) filling, and coated with grated coconut, the popular Putu Piring is another known Malacca street food served by a friendly couple running this restaurant. Visit this place and take a bite of this fresh, hot, and soft delicious dish with a sweet-salty touch!
Opening Hours: 6 PM to 10 PM (Closed on Sundays) Location: 252, Jalan Tengkera, Malacca Telephone: +60 6-282 1505
13. Pandan Pancake at The Daily Fix Café
SourceRooted in family and friendships, this café entertains and attracts hundreds of new customers every weekend. They serve fabulous food and specialize in making pancakes! Their must-haves include local pandan pancakes and smoked duck salad!
Opening Hours: 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM Location: 55, Jalan Hang Jebat, Melaka Telephone: +60 13-290 6855 Email:[email protected]
14. Satay at Sun May Hiong Satay House
SourceThis old and renowned embellishment in Malacca serves majorly Satays to its visitors. Try their pork, chicken, pork liver, and port intestine Satays to starting at just 0.01 RM per stick!
Opening Hours: 10 AM to 6 PM (Closed on Tuesdays) Location: 50/52, Jalan Kota Laksamana, Malacca Telephone: 60 6-281 7281 Cost: RM 1 – RM 10
15. Ikan Cili Garam at Restoran Aunty Lee
SourceEstablished in 1997, Aunty Lee’s signature dish Ikan Cili Garam (salted chili fish), topped with spicy chili paste has been the most sought after street food in Melaka along with Udang Lemak Nenas (prawns dipped in pineapple and coconut gravy)! Some of the other savories include Mutton curry, Ayam PongTeh, Bendi Ulam, and Cincalok Omelette.
Opening Hours: 11:30 AM to 3:00 PM; 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM Location: 385, Jalan Ujong Pasir, Taman Sinn, Malacca Telephone: +60 6-283 1009 Cost: RM 10 – RM 30
16. Asam Laksa at Jonker 88
SourceOne of the popular local fares in town, Jonker 88 offer some great desserts and local cuisines. With a vintage style and historical theme, this place consists of different sections for desserts and food, both of which are self-served. A Must-have is their ‘Assam Laksa’ and ‘Chendol’! Be cautious as this place gets crowded too often!
Opening Hours: 9:30 AM to 6 PM Location: 88, Jalan Hang Jebat, Melaka Telephone: +60 19-397 5665
17. Cheesy Prawn Vermicelli at Restoran Tong Sheng
SourceKnown to be extremely crowded at peak hours, this restaurant has been a pioneer in serving majorly seafood delicacies in Malacca with their signature authentic dish being Cheesy prawn served with rice vermicelli! Other dishes include fried fresh squid with garlic, salted egg yolk bean curd, and Fresh milk crabs. It is a Zi char style restaurant with reasonable prices and excellent varieties of seafood.
Opening Hours: 5:30 PM to 11 PM Location: No. 377 & 378, Taman Melaka Raya, Melaka Telephone: +60 16-776 7811
18. Asam Pedas at Asam Pedas Pak Man
SourceThough there are plenty of outlets serving Asam Pedas, this food stall offers the best and affordable Asam Pedas in Melaka. Taste this Malay sour and spicy fish stew served with their handmade spices and chillies.
Opening Hours: 7 AM to 9 PM (Closed on Wednesday) Location: No 51, Jalan Knmp 2a, Kompleks Niaga Melaka Perdana, Melaka Telephone: +60 12-346 2924
19. Crispy Fried Oyster at Oh Chien - Bungya Raya Food Court
SourceLocated at ‘Medan Makan Boon Leong’ food court, this food stall is famous for its crispy fried oyster business! Taste their Malacca famous fried oyster omellete at just RM 6!
Opening Hours: 7:30 AM to 11 PM (Closed on Tuesdays) Location: 70, Jalan Bunga Raya, Kampung Jawa, Malacca
20. Noodles at Hassan’s Mee Goreng
SourceManaged by Pak Cik Hassan, this place serves a variety of noodles for breakfast cooked with bean sprouts, yellow noodles, and homemade special recipes and spices! Check out this place that has been serving noodles for over 5 decades.
Opening Hours: 7:30 AM to 10:45 AM Location: 90, Jalan Tengkera, 75200 Melaka
Do not miss out on those delectable and savoury street foods of Melaka!