Last weekend, i made a visit to Melaka. My sister has just been sent by the government to Melaka to continue her practice as a general practitioner. She'll be there for awhile, hence the perfect opportunity for me to hangout over the weekend. Who knows, maybe it will be my third home =)
So do look out for Augustdiners as i share more of my experiences in Melaka in the near future.
What We Ate....
Hing Loong Taiwanese Noodles
11-J, Jalan Bachang, 75350, Melaka
Tel: 06-2842529
Opening hours: 7.30am- 6.00pm (Closed every 2th week and 4th week of Thursday)
I've always had a thing for Beef Noodles, Especially taiwanese spicy braised version's. When i knew we were stopping by to sample some apparent famous taiwanese noodles, i was thrilled!
We ordered the porkribs dry noodles and braised beef soup noodles. Out came some piping hot noodles, the colour and scent that looked promising.
The Noodles resembles closely to the pan mee texture, only this is softer. The beef broth is thick consomme which was filled with flavours, however i wasn't particularly impressed with the overall taste. Let's just say i've had better ones in Taiwan!
Hing Loong's pork rib noodles were also well received, and according to my sister, it is worth trying. So will this be my next agenda in Hing Loong? Let's See.
Overall rating: 6/10
Revisit? Maybe
Bukit Cina Soya Bean House
29, Jalan Kota Laksamana 2/17,
Taman Kota Laksamana
Seksyen 2, Batang Melaka
Tel: 016-6639993
Opening hours: Mon- Sun 10.30am- 6.00pm
The once humble shop from 3rd generation ago now turns into a heritage recipe, their specialty is everything made of soya bean and the menu is seemingly endless with drinks and desserts. They've also thoughtfully include some local dishes such as rendang, sambal prawn rice for those who wishes to have a proper full course meal there.
We only went for the basic orders such as soya milk cham Taufu Fa, and the Sesame Taufu Fa. Pretty decent desserts, but if you feeling adventurous, i spied something call the "sambal taufu fa" *shudders at the thought*
I don't know about you, but it was unsightly to see ice cubes in your beancurd with you ask for "cold" version.
I've ordered an egg to mix with the Soya Milk and Taufu Fa. Tasted a bit like the hk dessert - 燉蛋
Rating: 5.5/10
Revisit? Maybe. Only when soya craving hits.
Seafood at Melaka Portugese Settlement
Ujong Pasir
GPS coordinates: N02 10.976, E102 16.011 (you'll need it, it's a little tricky to find as it's in the inner kampung)
A tourist trap, as i call it. Many has written about their cheap seafood. And indeed it was cheap. But does the taste justify?
There's about 10 stalls in total overlooking the malacca straits, and a local portugese friend told us to check out the first and last stall, as they are the most decent ones.Sure enough, Stall no. 1 named "SEA TERRACE" is already filled with diners while the rest of the stalls were relatively empty.
Turns out a dissapointment. Most of the things we ordered were not satisfactory, but what's worth recommending would be their otak-otak and portugese style baked fish.
Our bill came up to RM70+, what can i say- cheap, cheap and cheap. But be picky with things you ordered. The Mee Goreng was just a failure.com.my
Not with the Sea Terrace but a small stall located by the side, the seafood is grill-to-order. just take a pick on the selection of seafood (which is fresh and very much alive by the way) and i emphasize this because i kept on asking her whether it's fresh and she got really annoyed and exclaim "can't you see it's moving still, stop asking me!?" oops.
I dont know about you, but i felt grilled seahum (sea cockles) were not the best way to enjoy the delicacies, as it loses its moisture and turned out dried and wrinkled.
Apparently famous for their deep fried squid ring, we opted for the sambal squid instead.
Paste was too concentrate, end up tasting nothing but spiciness
Deep Fried Terung (Eggplant), taste about as unmemorable as its name
Flesh turns out deliciously tender and with the right balance of sauce that compliment the overall dish.
This version differs from the version we often have, and many people used to compare them with muar's which was unjustly as both cooking style are very different. The Portugese Style otak otak has its own distinct flavour, and i enjoyed having them
We had a competition whereby who ate the most cockles wins and loser has to buy DINNER and DRINKS SESSION later.
I forked the bill in the end, but the winner ended up with some pretty nasty tummyache (serve him right for maximizing the situation during drink session and left me with a sore wallet)
HAHA. im evil like that.
Overall: 5.5/10
7/10 for the fish and otak-otak
Revisit? No.
By the way, if you are keen, the portugese settlement holds a yearly "June Festival" where the settlers will perform their folks songs while dressed in colourful costumes.
Jonker 88
88, Jalan Hang Jebat
Opening hours: Daily- 10.00am- 6.00pm
Saturday 10am- 10pm
Tel: 019-3975665 / 019-2517667/ 019-6695959
Naturally, i went with all three, with the highest expectation for the Cendol, as the pictures on the web looks wickedly promising.
With its highest expectation came the highest dissapointment. Am i the only one who thinks that this cendol barely made the mark? The gula melaka which was salivating in visuals, lacks fragrant and fail to become the main ingredient to bring up this whole dish, then i look in hope for its support- the cendol, which i was hoping to be the plump short ones with nice texture, instead i'm getting those long limpy ones found anywhere. (but that's just self preference)
Assam laksa, Curry Laksa, and Dry Curry Laksa has gotten nods of approval and smile of satisfaction.
Interior that reminisces old times, with antique decors and chinese calligraphy.
Dry Curry Chicken Laksa which Mr. S almost gotten a second helping
You'll enjoy this if you prefer laksa with coconut gravy versions.
Assam Laksa has the right balance of spicyness and tangyness (is there such word?), served with fried beancurd sheet, which surprisingly went pretty well together, i asked for extras.
Assorted fish cakes
My durian Cendol- The colour of gula melaka was tantalizing, and that's where it all ends.
The search for the best cendol in melaka must go on.
High tea @ Majestic Hotel
188, Jalan Bunga Raya,
Melaka 75100
Tel: 06-2898000
Opening Hours: Daily 3.00pm- 6.00pm
Who goes high tea in melaka? You ask?
Well.. people who get sick of being under the heat all day long. KL is hot, but Melaka is STUFFY hot.
For RM48++ per person, you get a selection of savoury sandwiches, an assortment of cakes and pastries, freshly baked english scones with a choice of coffee and tea. We chose the Mango flavoured and Passion Fruit. Both tea was nicely fragrant.
The afternoon tea set however turns to a dissapointment, the "delicacies" presented was rough. The top tier was a selection of nyonya kuihs, middle tier comes with 2 types of dried out sandwiches, and must i add (no i mustn't) it was the weakest tasting sandwiches i've had in a long long time. Scones thankfully manage to save what could turn out to be a castrophic high tea. Nice firm texture yet delightfully moist, always can't go wrong with clotted cream and strawberry jam. On the side, we were also served two medium sized chicken pie which was thoughtfully warm, but again, it didnt quite meet our mark.
Overall: 4/10
Revisit: No.
(my suggestion is for you to brace the scorching sun instead)
Restoran Pak Putra
Famous for its Tandoori chicken, and recommended strongly by a friend who claim boldly that this is the BEST and nothing else matters.
My verdict matches his exactly. Among all tandoori i've tried, this is by far the best- the chicken was so wonderfully flavoured and the meat texture is absolutely tender. Just close your eyes and devour the juicyness of the chicken, almost asif dancing within your mouth. The mint sauce by the side combines perfectly if you want some extra zing to this delicious find.
If you prefer soft naan's, you might enjoy the ones serve here, however i always prefered crispier versions. But this is entirely with self preference
Palak Paneer - Spinach with cottage cheese.
Overall rating: 7/10
Tandoori chicken rating: 9.5/10
Revisit: YESSSSSSSSS
Orang Belanda Cafe
32, Heeren Street (Tun Tan Cheng Lock)
Tel: 014-9283830
A cosy little cafe just off the busy buzz of Jonker Street serving simple traditional french dishes. Husband is a Dutch hence the name "Belanda - dutchman in french"
I've only tried their savoury pancake through recommendation of the sister. She enjoys coming in with a book and spend many undisturb hours relaxing with a cup of french coffee.
The thing about these pancakes, however, was not cheap. If i'm not mistaken, each portion amounts to approximate RM15. But to be fair, their pancakes were pretty nice
My choice with combinaation of bacon slices, mushroom, cheese and cream seasoned with pepper.
Mixed seafood with cheese and cream wasnt as nice in comparison
Top: French Coffee consisiting of 80% milk and 20% Coffee
Bottom: Hot Chocolate
Me and Mr. Moo.
Rating for Pancake: 6.5/10
Revisit: Maybe
Donald and Lily's
Off Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock (near Kota Laksamana carpark)
75200 Melaka
Opening hours: All days except mondays (9.30am- 4pm)
GPS coordinate: N2 11.662 E102 14.812
Their specialty being Nyonya Curry Laksa , and Mee Siam
The Nyonya Curry Laksa is absolutely to die for. Do not go to Melaka without eating this. It's that good. The main instigator would be the rich curry gravy which was, *smacks lips* Perfecto. Enough said. You've got to try it to KNOW it.
Ratings for Nyonya Laksa: 8/10
Revisit: YES!
Nadeje Mille Crepe
Flagship store: G-23 & 25, Jalan PM 4, Plaza Mahkota, 75000, Melaka
Tel: 06-2838750
Other Outlet: Dataran Pahlawan
Opening hours: 11am- 10pm
This has got to be my new favourite dessert place. Don't go home to wherever you are from without tasting Nadeje Mille Crepe, it's absolutely HEAVENLY AND CREAMY! I couldn't put it in my mouth fast enough.They offered many flavours and each piece cost around RM8-10. The original flavour is among the most popular, but also do look out for Mango Yogurt, and Chocolate Banana. I'm still craving them as i speak!
Freshly made everyday, the mille crepe can only be kept up to 2 days, and will melt under heat within 2 hours, so for those who wishes to takeaway, a cooler bag can be purchase there for RM5.
Original flavoured
Did I mention to you that it was absolutely divine, every bite is orgasmic
Chocolate Banana
Mango yogurt
Overall Rating for Mille Crepe: 9/10
Revisit: ABSOLUTELY!
All these accomplished within one and a half day, mostly between two of us, you REALLY got to give us a pat on the back! hehe.
Hopefully this guide will be useful to you, shall update more Melakan food next month! So keep tuned!
Ending with a Customary picture in Jonker Street. Yums yums!
Oh by the way, in case you are wondering, where is the Hoe Kee Chicken Rice Balls/ Capitol Satay Celup, i've decided not to try them for now- since the queue is forever long, and i was just too lazy to do any lining up. =)
