Melaka is known as the historical city of Malaysia and is one of the country’s most popular tourist destinations. Steeped in history, it was colonized by big powers–the Portuguese, the Dutch, and the British. Up to this day, the influences of these former colonial powers are evident in the city’s unique architecture, food, and culture. On your visit, make sure to stop by various heritage sites to witness the remnants of the city’s colonial past.
Home to a variety of popular local dishes, Melaka is also a land of gastronomic delights. Entice your taste buds with these scrumptious selections of the best food that Melaka has to offer.
Asam Pedas
Asam pedas is one of Melaka’s most iconic dishes. Fish or seafood is cooked in asam pedas gravy, which results in a nice balance between sweet and spicy. It is best to have it with a plate of hot rice, with a slice of salted egg and cucumber.
Restaurant: Cottage Spices Nyonya Restaurant
Address: 171, Jalan Merdeka, Taman Melaka Raya, 75000 Melaka
Opening Hours: Wednesday – Monday, 12.00 pm – 8.30 pm (Closed on Tuesday)
Ayam Pongteh
Ayam pongteh is a traditional Nyonya dish. While many Peranakan dishes can be rich in flavours, ayam pongteh or Nyonya chicken stew is a classic one. This dish consists of chicken stew cooked with salted fermented soy beans (tauchu), gula Melaka, potatoes, and carrots.
Restaurant: Restoran Nyonya Makko
Address: 123, Jalan Merdeka, Taman Melaka Raya, 75000 Melaka
Opening Hours: Wednesday – Monday, 11.30 am – 9.15 pm (Closed on Tuesday)
Nyonya Laksa
Laksa is an all-time Malaysian favourite. However, Nyonya Laksa is a bit more unique compared to the typical laksa. It is made with strongly-spiced coconut gravy cooked with chicken and prawns. The dish is usually served with rice vermicelli, prawns, onions, mango slices, chicken strips, and chili.
Restaurant: Nancy’s Kitchen
Address: 13, Jalan Kota Laksamana 3/8, Taman Kota Laksamana, 75200 Melaka
Opening Hours:
Sunday & Monday, Wednesday – Friday: 11.00 am – 5.00 pm (Closed on Tuesday)
Friday & Saturday: 11.00 am – 9.00 pm
Duck Noodle
Melaka-style duck noodle is a mouth-watering local dish you wouldn’t want to miss. For an extra-filling meal, eat it with bihun or kuey teow, served in fragrant herbal soup and topped with tender strips of duck meat. You can also enjoy it dry, accompanied by a small bowl of soup.
Restaurant: Tengkera Duck Noodle
Address: 33, Jalan Kota Laksamana 1/2, Taman Kota Laksamana, 75200 Melaka
Opening Hours:
Wednesday – Monday: 7.00 am – 11.00 pm
Tuesday: 4.00 pm – 11.00 pm
Char Siew Rice
A simple yet popular dish in Melaka, char siew offers you an explosion of flavour with its succulent, well-roasted pork. It is served with hot white rice, drizzled with sweet and savoury gravy. You can also have slices of crispy, roasted pork with your rice.
Restaurant: Restoran Chuen How
Address: 347, Jalan Merak, Taman Melaka Baru, 75350 Melaka
Opening Hours: Friday – Wednesday, 10.00 am – 2.30 pm (Closed on Thursday)
Chicken Rice Ball
Melaka is famous for its chicken rice ball. A tantalizing twist to Hainanese chicken rice, it’s rice that is cooked with savoury chicken broth, then rolled into bite-sized balls. It is served with a plate of steamed or roasted chicken, sliced vegetables, and garlic chili sauce for that spicy kick.
Restaurant: Nasi Ayam Hoe Kee
Address: 468, Jalan Hang Jebat, 75200 Melaka
Opening Hours: Daily, 9.00 am – 4.00 pm
Satay Celup
Your food-hunting adventure in Melaka is not complete without trying satay celup. Unlike the typical grilled satay, satay celup is like a steamboat in which you dip raw or semi-cooked skewers into a hotpot of rich and spicy peanut sauce. This dish is certainly a culinary experience that you can enjoy with family and friends.
Restaurant: Restoran Capitol Satay
Address: 41, Lorong Bukit Cina, Bandar Hilir, 75100 Melaka
Opening Hours:
Tuesday – Saturday: 4.00 pm – 1.00 am
Sunday: 5.00 pm – 12.00 am
Closed on Monday
Coconut Shake
Quench your thirst with this can’t-miss dessert in Melaka, coconut shake! A refreshing beverage that rose to fame just a few years back, many tourists have been flocking to Klebang just to have a taste of this popular shake. A blend of coconut water, coconut flesh, ice cubes, and vanilla ice cream, completed with a scoop of ice cream on top.
Restaurant: Klebang Original Coconut Shake
Address: Lot 130, Solok Kampung Bahagia, 75200 Klebang Besar, Melaka
Opening Hours:
Saturday – Thursday: 11.00 am – 6.30 pm
Friday: 2.30 pm – 6.30 pm
Putu Piring Melaka
One of the locals’ favourite desserts, putu piring is a steamed rice flour cake. It is shaped like a thick, round disc made of rice or glutinous rice flour with ground peanuts or palm sugar. It is filled with sweet, shredded coconut. Best to have it while it’s still warm and fluffy!
Restaurant: Putu Piring Tengkera
Address: 252, Jalan Tengkera, 75200 Melaka
Opening Hours: Monday – Saturday: 1.00 pm – 5.00 pm (Closed on Sunday)
Nyonya Desserts
Nyonya desserts, or kuih, consists of an assortment of steamed or grilled bite-sized snacks and confectionery. It includes onde-onde, colourful kek lapis, and the renowned Nyonya rice dumpling.
Restaurant: Baba Charlie Cafe
Address: 631, Jalan Siantan 1/5, Taman Siantan Seksyen 1, 75200 Melaka
Opening Hours: Friday – Wednesday: 9.00 am – 7.00 pm (Closed on Thursday)
There you have it—a complete list of 10 best eats in Melaka that you mustn’t miss! While you are here, why not have a fun trip to Melaka A’Famosa Theme Park? If you are a nature lover and fancy a wildlife adventure, book yourself a ticket to Zoo Melaka and Night Safari! Or better yet, go down memory lane and learn more about this historical city through the Melaka River Cruise. Trust us when we say that there’s so much fun in Melaka!
For more amazing experiences in Melaka and beyond, check out KKday now!
Words by Fatihah MSabri
Featured image via enciktepstudio and Irwan Bujang on Shutterstock
