It’s easy to see why Melaka (not Malacca) is one of Malaysia’s most popular tourist draws. Dubbed “The Historic State”, Melaka has everything from historic sites to cultural museums. The city centre was also crowned a UNESCO World Heritage Site in July 2008, along with Penang’s Georgetown.
Melaka takes pride in its food scene and there are plenty to eat in the city. Be it light eats (i.e. popiah, satay) to satisfying meals, here are 8 must-try places to visit on your next food trip:
1. Capitol Satay
Opened in the 1950s, Capitol Satay is one of the most iconic eateries in Melaka. For the uninitiated, satay celup aka satay steamboat is a dish where raw food such as meat and vegetables are cooked in a pot of thick peanut sauce. But what makes this place stand out from its competitors? The answer lies in its sauce. Sweet, savoury, and aromatic, Capitol’s signature peanut sauce is actually made up of 22 ingredients! And that’s not all, there are over 80 types of skewered ingredients for patrons to choose from.
- Address: 41, Lorong Bukit Cina, Bandar Hilir, 75100 Melaka
- Opening hours: 4pm – 1am
- Tel: 06-283 5508
2. Bunga Raya Popiah
Located in front of Madam King’s Department Store, Bunga Raya Popiah (otherwise known as Chun Xing Popiah) sells one of the best popiahs in Melaka. Each roll is generously filled with eggs, bean sprouts, turnips, bean curds, peanuts, and their special ingredient – crispy pork lard. While some may find the popiah a little too oily, we think that the pork lard gives it more texture and aroma.
- Address: 8, Jalan Bunga Raya, Kampung Jawa, 75100 Melaka
3. Aunty Fatso Restaurant
If you’re looking for a satisfying seafood meal, then look no further than Aunty Fatso Restaurant. The outdoor seafood place offers a wide variety Chinese dishes, but Aunty Fatso is most famous for its scrumptious Cheese Prawn Bee Hoon. Made up of succulent prawns, springy bee hoon, and savoury cheese soup, this dish is bound to bring you to foodie heaven. Also, do give their Curry Roti a try – you won’t regret it 😉
- Address: 39, Jalan Melaka Raya 8, Taman Melaka Raya, 75000 Melaka
- Opening hours: 5pm – 10pm
- Tel: 012-611 6996
4. Kedai Satay Xiang Ji
Famed for its pork satay, Kedai Satay Xiang Ji aka Jonker Satay is another place to add to your list of eating spots in Melaka. With the right amount of meat and fat, Xiang Ji’s satays are succulent, tender, and fragrant. Besides that, Xiang Ji’s peanut sauce is a little sweeter and tangier than others as they add chopped pineapples in the cooking process.
- Address: 50, Jalan Portugis, Kampung Dua, 75200 Melaka
- Tel: 019-667 8868
5. Pak Putra Tandoori & Naan Restaurant
Sorry to say this KL-ites, but the award for best tandoori chicken goes to Pak Putra Tandoori & Naan Restaurant in Melaka. The chickens here are well-marinated with various spices and roasted in the tandoor (cylindrical clay oven) upon order. Apart from that, Pak Putra also serves all kinds of food and drinks (the mango lassi is a must-try!). Situated near Jonker Street, Pak Putra is packed with locals and tourists everyday! So be sure to arrive really early to get a table.
- Address: 56, Jalan Taman Kota Laksamana 1 & Jalan Taman Kota Laksamana 4, Taman Kota Laksamana, 75200 Melaka
- Tel: 012-601 5876
6. Teo Chew Bak Kut Teh
Cited as the best Bak Kut Teh (pork cooked in herbal broth) place in Melaka, Teo Chew Bak Kut Teh is best known for its flavourful soup and yam rice. The casual Chinese restaurant also offers other dishes such as vinegar pig trotter and red wine ginger chicken. It is interesting to note that the Bak Kut Teh here is garnished with celery instead of lettuce or cabbage.
- Address: Jalan Melaka Raya 4, Taman Melaka Raya, 75000 Melaka
- Opening hours: 8am – 2pm
- Tel: 06-282 7454
7. Kedai Kopi Juat Lye
Kedai Kopi Juat Lye’s homemade Nyonya Laksa is a true gem not to be missed. Based on a family recipe, the rich and creamy laksa is filled with fresh si-ham (cockles), sliced fish cake, tau pok (bean curd pockets), and bean sprouts. The kopitiam also serves Prawn Mee, Yee Kiao Mee, and authentic Hainanese toast. Hmm, sounds like the perfect brunch spot to us 🙂
- Address: 371G Taman Peringgit Jaya, 75400, Bandar Melaka
- Opening hours: 8am – 2pm
- Tel: 06-325 3506
8. Ee Ji Ban Chicken Rice Ball
This list wouldn’t be complete without Ee Ji Ban Chicken Rice Ball. Known for their tender and juicy chicken, the joint offers roasted and steamed chickens, and each serving comes with 5 rice balls. Besides chicken rice ball, Ee Ji Ban also has a range of Nyonya dishes including cili garam sotong and prawn, sambal petai, cincalok (fermented shrimps) omelette, as well as asam pedas fish.
Note: Ee Ji Ban charges 20% extra during Chinese New Year.
- Address: 275, Jalan Melaka Raya 3, Taman Melaka Raya, 75000 Melaka
- Tel: 016-213 5220
Got any personal favourite places that you think should be added to the list? Feel free to share with us ?
Sources: broughtup2share.com, foodietopography.net, MMO, VKeong, TripAdvisor.
