Malacca is famous for its chicken rice balls, and you can easily spot at least 5 stalls along Jonker Walk. This morning, I queued to try out Nasi Ayam Hoe Kee. The rice balls were pretty small in size, about a width of 2-3cm. I would say I prefer the usual chicken rice more. The rice for these rice balls tasted softer, almost like a rice paste-like texture.
Nasi Ayam Hoe Kee
468 Jalan Hang Jebat, 75200 Melaka, Malaysia
0930-1600hrs (Mon-Fri), 0930-1630hrs (Sat, Sun)
1: Nasi Ayam Hoe Kee.
2: 1/4 Lower Chicken RM9, Cabbage RM1.50, Rice Balls (5pcs) RM1.50.
3: Each rice ball is only about 2-3cm in width!
Went to The Stadthuys, also known as the ‘red square’, as it is surrounded by red buildings. This area reflects the history of Malacca, where it used to be under Portuguese, and then Dutch. You can’t miss out the Christ Church Melaka when you are here, listed as UNESCO World Heritage site. It was built to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Malacca’s conquest from the Portuguese Colonial by the Dutch, and is now the oldest functioning protestant church in Malaysia.
The Stadthuys
Bandar Hilir, 75200 Malacca, Malaysia
0900-1700hrs (Mon-Thu), 0900-2030hrs (Fri-Sun)
Christ Church Melaka
Gereja Christ, Jalan Gereja, 75000 Melaka, Malaysia
0900-1630hrs (Mon-Sat), 0800-1230hrs (Sun)
4: The iconic 'I love Melaka' sign at The Stadthuys.
5: The Stadthuys.
6: Christ Church Melaka.
7: Built at 10% of the actual size of the windmill.
8: Many pretty murals can be found along the Melaka River, especially the area near The Stadthuys and Hard Rock Cafe.
9: Mural.
10: Mural.
11: Mural.
12: Melaka River.
13: Melaka River.
14: Melaka River.
15: Melaka River.
After which, it’s cafe time again! Malacca is way, way too hot, and being in cafes with aircon is my saviour. I went to Navy Cafe, loved how pretty their rose latte and food looks. Though I just had breakfast, but couldn’t resist trying out their Salted Egg Lava Toast, which I’m glad I did! Love the crust and the sauce was amazing!
Navy Cafe
5 Jalan Hang Kasturi, 75200 Melaka, Malaysia
0900-1700hrs (Tue-Sun), Closed on Mondays
16: Rose Latte RM12.
17: Salted Egg Lava Toast RM18.50
18: Salted Egg Lava Toast.
Walked around the shops to get some souvenirs, love this huge shop that sells all kinds of traditional games, tableware and home decor. Got some vintage-looking metal signs and a magnet made from coconut husk with carvings of the Christ Church Melaka, how cool? Also a Peranakan house-designed clay magnet and some wooden toy guns. Then, to Maritime Museum, a museum set in a ship that tells the maritime history of Melaka, dating way back to the 15th century.
Maritime Museum
Jalan Merdeka, Bandar Hilir, 7500 Melaka, Malaysia
0900-1700hrs (Mon-Fri), 0900-2100hrs (Sat, Sun)
Admission: RM5
19: Maritime Museum.
20: The only okay photo I could get in the museum, the place was relatively dark. Stairs to get to the lower deck.
Running out of places to go and it’s only 3pm! Went for a 1.5hr foot and back massage to kill some time, for some aircon and relax my sore foot and shoulder muscles. Then to another cafe called Backlane Coffee for again some coffee and dessert. This cafe is probably by far the nicest and most spacious cafe ever. They offer the same range of cakes as Heesan Kopi, at the same price, I wonder if this 2 cafes are related, hmm.. Ordered the Blackberry Mousse Cake, which consists of blackberry cheese mousse, joconde sponge cake, hazelnuts, and topped with crumbs. Really good, amazing!
Backlane Coffee
129, Jalan Hang Jebat, 75200 Melaka, Malaysia
0900-2300hrs (daily)
21: Backlane Coffee.
22: Blackberry Mousse Cake RM13.
23: Blackberry Mousse Cake.
24: Cappuccino RM12.50.
25: A nice spot beside the cafe for photo taking, and as a smoking corner.
Went for some authentic Peranakan cuisine at Kocik Kitchen, which was highly recommended online. The shop only had 5 tables, with strong Peranakan vibes. The dining experience felt so homely. Couldn’t decide whether to get Ayam Buah Keluak or Ayam Pong Teh, but went with Pong Teh, which is a braised chicken and potato stew made with soybean paste and gula melaka. It was amazing! Also got some Kocik Otah mixed with Ngoh Hiang. You can’t miss out their otah, wrapped with pandan leaves! Tasted different from the usual otah I had, with the nice fragrance of pandan, and the texture a little similar to fishcake.
Kocik Kitchen
100 Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock, 75200 Melaka, Malaysia
1100-1800hrs (Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri), 1100-2100hrs (Sat, Sun), Closed on Wednesdays
26: Kocik Kitchen.
27: Chicken Ponteh RM23.
28: Otah and Noh Hiang Platter RM12.
Lastly, wanted to catch the sunset at Melaka Straits Mosque, which is a mosque by the river. Totally forgot that it’s the fasting month, and the mosque was closed by the time I’m there. Check out this blogger's post for amazing shots taken at the mosque. However, it lead me to discover The Riviera Melaka, a RM40 billion Melaka Gateway project which will span across 3 islands, a heritage project that tells the story of Malacca. If I’m not wrong, construction has yet to be completed, which is gonna give me an excuse to be back in Malacca again to see the finished project.
Melaka Straits Mosque
Jalan Pulau Melaka 8, 75000 Melaka, Malaysia
Opens from 0900hrs onwards, avoid praying hours
29: Melaka Straits Mosque.
The Riviera Melaka
Taman Pulau Melaka, 75000 Malacca, Malaysia
30: The Riviera Melaka.
31: The Riviera Melaka.
32: The Riviera Melaka.
33: The Riviera Melaka.
34: The lobby of Riviera Suites Melaka, so pretty and vintage!
And this wraps up Malacca! A place with strong heritage vibes, great food, great cafes. If you are one that love nostalgia, love collecting traditional items, Malacca is the place for you!
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Exchange Rate at S$1 = RM3.04
Expenses for Day 3
Grab to Hoe Kee: RM5
Nasi Ayam Hoe Kee:
- Rice Balls RM1.50 (5pcs)
- 1/4 Lower Chicken RM9
- Cabbage RM1.50
Magnet: RM4
Navy Cafe:
- Rose Latte RM12
- Salted Egg Lava Toast RM18.50
Jonker Craft:
- Coffee wooden sign RM9.90
- Vintage metal sign RM13 x3
- Coconut husk magnet RM6.90
- Wooden gun RM5.5 x2
Maritime Museum: RM10
1.5hrs foot + back massage: RM118
Backlane Coffee:
- Blackberry Mousse Cake RM13
- Cappuccino RM12.50
Kocik Kitchen:
- Otah and Ngoh Hiang Platter RM12
- Chicken Ponteh RM23
- White Rice RM1.50
- Iced Ginseng Chrysanthemum RM3.80
Grab to Melaka Straits Mosque: RM8
Grab back to Hotel: RM5
Total Expenses for Day 3: RM325.10 = S$106.94
Previous Spending: S$557.01
Total: S$663.95