There’s so much to eat in Melaka that you’re spoilt for choice. On our recent adventure to Melaka, we decided to skip the hustle and bustle of Jonker Street in search for delicious food. Here’s our pick on what to eat in Melaka, outside of Jonker Street.
Putu Piring Tengkera
Address: 252, Jalan Tengkera, 75200 Melaka, Malaysia
Opening hours: Monday to Saturday, 6pm to 10pm. Closed on Sunday.
Opened only in the evenings from 6pm to 10pm, this is one of the nicer Putu Piring we have eaten. There is no signboard to indicate the stall, but it was easy to spot because when we were there at 8.30pm, there was already a long queue. As the stall is situated on a major road, parking maybe a little hard to find in this area. So either park a few meters down or if you have a companion, get your companion to queue up while you wait in the car. The moment we stepped out of the car, we could not miss the aroma of the banana leaves.
We were in awe how much dedication and effort the family puts in to make each Putu Piring. Under warm weather conditions, with the boiling hot steamer in front of her, the auntie keeps making piece after piece of Putu Piring relentlessly. The other family members take turns to prepare the Putu Piring and take orders.
At RM1.20 per piece, this Putu Piring is huge! It is aromatic and flavourful that one bite into it, and you can taste the chunky bits of Gula Melaka. However, we felt there was too much flour. But, it’s still worth braving the long queue to get it.
Baba Charlie
Address: 72, Lorong Tengkera Pantai 2c, Kampung Tengkera Pantai Dua, 75200 Melaka, Malaysia
Opening hours: Friday to Wednesday, 10.30am to 3pm. Closed on Thursdays.
Located along the same stretch of road (Jalan Tengkera) as Putu Piring Tengkera, is Baba Charlie, famous for its Nyonya Kueh Kueh and Bak Zhang. Each time we are in Melaka, this would be our must-go place. The kueh kuehs are hand made and reasonably priced. There’s a wide variety of kueh to choose from. For a box of 10 Ondeh-Ondeh, it costs RM5. One bite into the Ondeh-Ondeh and you can feel a punch of Gula Melaka bursting in your mouth. Come here for the Bak Zhang too! And how can we not miss out on the homemade Sambal Chili and Kaya! The Sambal Chili is spicy with a hint of lemony taste. Everything is just so good here.
They recently opened a Baba Charlie Cafe just along the road before you turn into Baba Charlie. Worth a try.
Klebang Original Coconut Shake
Address: Klebang, 5, 75200 Melaka, Malaysia
Opening hours: Monday to Sunday, 11am to 6.30pm. On Fridays, 2.30pm to 6.30pm.
If you’re feeling adventurous, try heading North to Klebang. Well-known for its white sand dunes and beaches, Klebang is one of the nicer places in Melaka to take sunset photos. When here, check out on the Klebang Original Coconut Shake. The coconut shake tasted more like a blended smoothie with cubes of coconut flesh. The Coconut Shake Special wasn’t really that special. Just an extra vanilla ice cream on top. We found the Coconut Shake Special too sweet for our liking.
On a hot day, this would be a good drink to have. And there would be long queues along the side of the road just waiting to get their hands on a nice cold Coconut Shake. They have a shop a few metres behind their road side stall. Head in and order a plate of Mee siam or Nasi Lemak.
To avoid the crowds, best to be there before lunch time. This place can get really crowded during lunch time.
喜临门茶餐室
Address: Jalan Jed 1, 75200 Melaka, Malaysia
Opening hours: Monday to Sunday, 5pm to 10pm. Closed on Wednesdays.
Also in Klebang, this seemingly ordinary and humble kopitiam has one of the best Satay in Melaka. Enter Baba Satay – Mr Lai. The satay is not charred and well cooked, the satay sauce is flavourful, with hints of lemongrass. For a plate of 20 sticks, we paid RM17. Too bad we were not there early enough to try the ketupat. It was sold out by 8pm. Other than satay, there’s also zi char at the kopitiam to fill your growling stomachs. The kopitiam is a family run and the owner’s 3 young sons take care of the business, with the oldest taking orders and doing payment.
Bak Kut Teh
Maybe it’s too troublesome to head out of Melaka Sentral. And if you do stay around the Hotel Equatorial or Hatten Hotel area, then we found 2 Bak Kut Teh places located in central Melaka that’s pretty good.
Ah Hui Bak Kut Teh
Address: 268, Jalan Melaka Raya 3, Taman Melaka Raya, 75000 Melaka, Malaysia
Opening hours: Monday to Sunday, 9pm to 10pm.
Ah Hui Bak Kut Teh is a 30 year old family establishment and it is well-known for it’s Special Bak Kut Teh. The soup has so much flavour coming from herbs like star anise and cinnamon, we had to keep asking for refill. There is no porky smell in the pork rib and meat is very tender. The best part is the black sauce. Thick and slightly sweet, pairing it with fresh garlic takes the cake.We have never put so much sauce on our meat until Ah Hui Bak Kut Teh, because the taste just mixes so well.
We will definitely be back again.
Bah Kut Teh Teo Chew
Address: Jalan Melaka Raya 4, Taman Melaka Raya, 75000 Melaka, Malaysia
Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 8am to 2pm. Closed on Monday.
We’ve read and heard good reviews of this place. But when we came to try, we thought it was pretty mediocre. We ordered a claypot of Bak Kut Teh with yam rice. A mouthful of yam rice and we found the rice hard. It’s not the flavourful kind of yam rice, more of yam + rice. The soup tasted pretty normal. The pork rib was soft and tender, but everything else is pretty much okay. If you’re looking for a bak kut teh that is mild, then you can give this a shot.
Afterword
These are just some of the many food we ate outside of Jonker Street. Let us know what are your recommendations too! Sharing is caring right? 😉
Check out our post on Taman Kota Laksamana for more food choices!