FOOD GUIDE TO MALACCA
THE DUTCH OVEN
Tourists flock to the seaside town of Melaka to wander through the old Dutch architecure and tiny alleys leading to the winding river. It's a pleasant enough place to spend a weekend, though any longer than that you might start getting bored.
We investigated the city thoroughly with the help of our
local guides, and ended up eating some pretty tasty food. From nyonya laksa, hainanese chicken rice, bowls of congee and even a solid curry mee spot, you'll be spoilt for choice.
Make sure you head to the Tuju Cafe art centre no matter what you're doing, and support some local culture.
For a full link of all the places on google maps, click the icon below:
NYONYA DELIGHT
Without question the best Nyonya food we tried in town. It's an 8 kilometer drive from downtown, but it's worth every baking minute. Be prepared for an extremely warm welcome, some divine food, and prices to rejoice over. A true hidden gem!
LOKE YEN CHICKEN RICE
The early bird catches the choicest chicken cuts! Arrive before midday to guarantee you get some thigh meat, and order a mix of braised and regular chicken. The rice here is moist and flavourful and will have you trapped in deep reverie.
ORIENTAL CAFE
Anyone that knows me knows I live for nostalgia. To combat the great eraser in the sky that wipes away the traditions in favour of sterile concrete and glass. Oriental Cafe is a survivor, and one that everyone should frequent until it's inevitable demise at some uncertain point in the future.
You come here for the fish ball noodles, dry, soup on the side, splash of chilli sauce, stir deep and thoroughly, slurp, sit back and pat your stomach.
BUNGA RAYA WAN TAN MEE
Unassuming as it may be, the dangers that lurk in this glorious decrepid building are of excruciatingly divine eating discoveries. This is the best Wan Tan Mee in town, and do ask for a side of the little vinegary chilli peppers, they are dynamite!
NB: Only open in the evenings!
SOON WONG
Obscenely good vegetarian buffet-style restaurant. Just phenomenal flavours.
WARONG BABA LOW
Far, far away from the throngs of tourists eyeing mediocre food on Jonker Walk, this outdoor stall serves one of the best Nyonya Laksa in town.
DE XING LUNG
Hand-pulled noodles and comforting soups for those rainy days. They do Laksa every Wednesday!
POPIAH TA CHONG
Lovers of the thin veil surrounding crisp pork skin, turnip, greens and condiments need look no further. This shop does the best in town, and the line proves it.
YUNG LAI SIANG
Suffer through the intolerable heat in this kopitam without AC, but allow your mind to escape into the pleasure of a well made bowl.
BUNGA RAYA ROAST PORK RICE
THE spot to hit for braised pork rice with curry slathered on top, strips of omelette and char sui and pork belly mix. A divine plate for a hasty lunch.
NB: This spot shuts at 2pm, so it's a lunch only kinda vibe.
TENGKERA DUCK NOODLES
Come early or you'll be stuck with a bowl of noodles and not much duck. A bowl worth scrapping over, despite being a bit sweet (that's what the chilli sauce is there for ya'll).
THE COFFEE JAR
If you know your Geisha from your Memoires of a Geisha, then head here for a nerdy conversation about coffee and a cup to suit your needs.
SHUI XIAN SU SHI YUAN
Rotating menu of delicious, healthy vegetarian dishes. Cheap and packed with umami.
BOTANIST CAFE
A famously packed local vegetarian cafe that serves daily specials, omakase style lunch platters and sensational menu items. We ate here multiple times and everything was excellent.
Go on Wednesday when they have Taiwanese "beef" noodle soup that tastes better than many in Taipei.
BUNGA RAYA LIAN PANG YOU TIAO
The freshest tasting morsels in town! Don't forget to grab a red bean paste round bun also! Superb stuff, worth waiting for in line.
TUJU CAFE
Your favourite hangout place in Melaka for coffee and underground vibes. All the regulars are involved in music or art in some fashion.
RES PORRIDGE HOUSE
If you've read The Mouth before, you'll know we are suckers for a comforting bowl of congee, and this spot does the best in town.
SARAVANNA
Your one-stop shop in Melaka for banana leaf lunches. Their onion rawa masala dosa is fire, if a tad on the greasy side.
SIN SEE TAI
Not everyone is hunting for croissants in the backalleys of Malacca, but if by chance you are: This is your spot! Ladles of butter, delightfully airy and flaky, Paris doesn't seem that far away after all.
