Melaka is one of Singaporean’s favourite getaway over the weekend given that it is so close (merely 3 hours by coach) to us. I made a trip to Melaka recently and was very eager to try all the good restaurants and must-eats. There is no lack of Peranakan restaurants especially, but if you only have one meal, it would be best to conserve all calories and try the best! The below are my top must-try and must-eat restaurants if you are ever in Melaka – Nancy’s Kitchen, Capitol Satay Celup, Restoran Tong Sheng, Chung Wah Chicken Rice, Amy Heritage Nyonya Cuisine and Nadeje Mille Crepe.

*****

Nancy’s Kitchen

This family run Peranakan restaurant is probably one of the best and most famous Peranakan restaurant in Melaka. I tried to go early before 6pm for an early dinner, only to be greeted by a queue. The restaurant is very small so I would recommend coming during off peak dining hours or risk queuing for up to an hour or more.

*Editor’s update: Nancy’s Kitchen has moved, the picture below is the old address. We have updated its new address in our post.

The must-try of Nancy’s Kitchen is definitely the Kueh Pie Tee, so good that we have to order two servings of it. I can totally ignore the fillings in it as the crispy home made cone is so yummy and addictive! I have tried many versions of Kueh Pie Tee in Singapore but it all comes in the same shape and taste, which is most likely from the same factory. Nothing comes close to this home made version at Nancy’s Kitchen, which is by far the best Kueh Pie Tee I have ever tasted.

And my love for Peranakan food extends to Buah Keluak, which is one of the most famous delicacy of Peranankan cuisine and requires painstaking efforts to prepare. I must say this dish is an acquired taste, so it is either you can appreciate the taste or you just find it tasteless. The one I tried at Nancy’s Kitchen was really good, especially the paste stuffed in the black nut and the curry.

The perfect ending to a Peranakan meal is to order the Chendol here, which has such a rich taste.

Overall Experience: Do not miss this authentic Peranakan restaurant in Melaka, the queue is definitely worth the wait if home style Peranakan food is your liking. Prices are very reasonable as well.

TheRantingPanda says:
Budget: S$10-S$20
Taste Bud: 4.5/5
Ambience: 3/5
Overall Experience: 4.5/5

Nancy’s Kitchen
13, 13-1, 13-2, Jalan KL 3/8, Taman Kota Laksamana, Seksyen 3, 75200 Melaka

*****

Capitol Satay Celup

I only learnt about satay celup in Melaka recently, without realising that it is one of the most famous local specialty. Given that I only have the time to try one satay celup in my short stay, I made sure that I tried the best one after researching from various sources and asking some locals for their opinion. Capitol Satay Celup emerged as my eventual choice, which I totally have no regrets trying.

The queue was really crazy even before 5pm as I tried to avoid the off-peak dinner time. The only consoling fact was that there were some chairs along the queue, but expect to wait at least an hour.

There were numerous signs insisting this is the only branch in Melaka.

Each table has a hot steamboat pot, which makes sharing of tables with strangers almost impossible.

The process was very simple, pick your choice of sticks as much as you can finish, all at RM$1 each! I must say it was really very cheap, but of course do not expect top grade quality here. Satay is undoubtedly the main draw here, but there are a lot of other options such as tofu, vegetables, sausages, prawns, squids and pork!

Dip the sticks into the hot satay paste pot and it would be ready to eat in a minute! 

Overall Experience: For a unique steamboat satay experience, this is not to be missed.

TheRantingPanda says:
Budget: S$10-20 onwards
Taste Bud: 4/5
Ambience: 2.5/5
Overall Experience: 3.5/5

Capitol Satay
41, Lorong Bukit Cina, 75100, Melaka, Melaka, 75100, Malaysia

*****

Chung Wah Chicken Rice

Chicken rice balls is almost synonymous with Melaka, in fact I feel that it is like the dish of this city. There are many stalls around but there is only one authentic and original one, Chung Wah Chicken Rice. Located at the beginning of Jonker Street, it is impossible to miss this coffeeshop with the usually long snaking queues in the day.

The chicken rice balls need no further introduction. They are so good that we have to order two servings of it. I was amazed at how fine the texture of the rice can be, yet it did not taste as oily as most chicken rice.

Needless to say, the chicken meat was very yummy as well.

Overall Experience: Definitely a must try in Melaka, especially if you are a fan of chicken rice. Visit during off peak dining hours to minimise queuing under the hot sun!

TheRantingPanda says:
Budget: S$5-S$10
Taste Bud: 3.5/5
Ambience: 2/5
Overall Experience: 3.5/5

Chung Wah Chicken Rice
18, Jalan Hang Jebat, 75200 Melaka, Malaysia

 

*****

Restoran Tong Sheng

Famous for the Cheese Prawn Bee Hoon, it was my first time to Tong Sheng Restaurant and I knew it will not be my last. The queue was crazy even at the first hour in the evening, so either you head here early or prepared to wait in line. This is a typical coffeeshop Zi Char place in Melaka, which is very popular among the locals.

Without a doubt, my favourite dish of the night is the Cheese Prawn Bee Hoon, something I have not ever tried or seen in Singapore yet. The prawn was freshly cooked with cheese sauce that did not come across as too cloying.

That aside, the other dishes we tried were consistently good as well, such as the Special Beancurd with Salted Egg and Fried Fish Fillet.

Overall Experience: If Tong Sheng Restaurant were to open in Singapore, this will definitely be listed as one of the best Zi Char around. Reasonable prices and good food, what else is there to rant? I have already bookmarked this nondescript coffeeshop on my next Melaka trip.

TheRantingPanda says:
Budget: S$15-S$30
Taste Bud: 4/5
Ambience: 2/5
Overall Experience: 4/5

Restoran Tong Sheng
Jalan Melaka Raya 6, Taman Melaka Raya, 75000 Melaka, Malaysia

*****

Amy Heritage Nyonya Cuisine

Touted as one of the best Peranakan restaurant in Melaka by many, including representing Malaysia twice at the United Nations conference to cook for international delegates, we simply have to check out this local’s favorite. The Nyonya Pai Tee and Chap Chai are some of the highlights from the menu, which are as delicious as it looks. The good thing about having Peranakan food in Malaysia that it does not burn a big hole in the pocket, where most items are very reasonably prices. Reservations are a must, as it is almost impossible to snag a table at the highly popular restaurant.

Overall Experience: If you love Peranakan food and is a fan of Nancy’s Kitchen as well, chances are you will like the food at Amy Heritage as well.

TheRantingPanda says:
Budget: S$15-S$30
Taste Bud: 4/5
Ambience: 3/5
Overall Experience: 4/5

Amy Heritage Nyonya Cuisine
75, Jalan Melaka Raya, Taman Melaka Raya, Malacca
Tel: +606 286 8819

*****

Nadeje Mille Crepe

If there is one thing I never expect out of Melaka, it has to be Mille Crepe. My visit to Nadeje Patisserie Cafe at Mahkota Parade is quite life-changing, to say the least, as I probably had one of the best Mille Crepe in my life. There is usually an incessant queue, so try to go during off-peak hours. Otherwise, opt for takeaways and indulge the cakes in your hotel room.

Overall Experience: This ia an absolute must try if you are a fan of Mille Crepe cakes. The soft layers and rich flavours are irresistible, and you will never view Mille Crepe the same way again. That explains why I am not a fan of Lady M Confections after trying this.

TheRantingPanda says:
Budget: S$5/slice onwards
Taste Bud: 4.5/5
Ambience: 3/5
Overall Experience: 4.5/5

Nadeje Mahkota Parade 
G-23B, EG 4 & EG 5, Ground Floor, Mahkota Parade, 75000 Melaka
Opening hours: 11am – 10pm
Tel: +60 6-283 8750

Ranted by the Ranter