It is always a good idea to go for a weekend respite with your family or friends to unwind from work and get away from the fast-paced lifestyle of the city. An underrated neighbouring city bursting with rich history and culture that some of us may overlook is Malacca.

Contrary to popular belief, there is more to this UNESCO World Heritage Site than you may think. While history buffs might fall in love with the rustic charms Malacca can offer, the activities go far beyond just admiring ancient cultural sites.

Give this Malaysian city a chance the next time you are thinking of going on a short trip! You may be pleasantly surprised at what you can find there. Here are 12 Tips On What To See, Do & Eat There.

DAY 1 IN MALACCA

#1 HAVE LUNCH AT THE DAILY FIX

1pm: The Daily Fix is a charming, vintage cafe that is hidden behind a souvenir store at Jonker Street. The cafe serves a menu featuring fusion mains and desserts, complete with house brews and tea. Go for their signature pancakes which come in both savoury and sweet flavours!

Heading to Jonker Street?
Here are 7 fun things to do there.

Photo Credit: Eddy Rush Fat Boy

#2 TRY THE FAMOUS KEBLANG ORIGINAL COCONUT SHAKE

3pm: Cool off from the sweltering heat with the Keblang Original Coconut Shake which is an extremely popular roadside stall visited by both locals and tourists. Expect to queue for their coconut shakes with ice cream and nasi lemak.

Photo Credit: Pantip

#3  TAKE OOTDS AT MALACCA’S WHITE SAND DUNE

5pm: No time for the Sahara Desert? No problem! This hidden attraction in Malacca has recently been gaining attention on social media for looking almost similar to a white sand dune or desert (it is actually a land reclamation project).

Depending on traffic and weather conditions, Padang Pasir Keblang Meleka is about 15 to 30 minutes drive from Malacca’s city centre. Take your OOTDs against the breathtaking landscape!

DAY 2 IN MALACCA

#4 HAVE A MEAL AT CHOP CHUNG WAH

11am: Chicken rice balls are iconic in Malacca and one of the most renowned shops you can find there is Chop Chung Wah. The trick to skipping the infamous long queue under the hot sun? Visit them in the early afternoon during the weekdays!

#5 EXPLORE THE ICONIC SITES AT JONKER STREET

12pm: Religious structures of various faiths are widely respected by the locals in Malacca. You are more than welcome to stop and take a look at the many worshipping places that are located around Jonker Street.

Some of the more well-known ones include the red Christ Church, Cheng Hoon Teng Temple, Kampung Kling Mosque and Sri Poyyatha Vinayagar Moorthi Temple.

Photo Credit: Hotels.com

#6 PAY A VISIT TO THE BABA NYONYA HERITAGE MUSEUM

2pm: Learn more about the Baba Nyonyas and how they contributed to Malacca’s trade industry by visiting the museum. There are daily time slots where you can go for guided tours.

#7 DESIGN YOUR OWN SNACK AT MAMEE JONKER HOUSE

4pm: Feeling a sense of nostalgia? We feel you. Mamee Jonker House is a museum featuring everything Mamee-related here including t-shirts and soft toys. Make some time for the Mamee Cafe and Mamee Gallery as well.

#8 GET CLOSE TO SIBERIAN HUSKIES AT THE HUSKITORY

6pm: Located along Jalan Taman Asean, The Huskitory is about 15 minutes drive away from the city center. The cafe-cum-pet shop is home to more than 20 huskies so expect only chaos from a bunch of extremely excited dogs. Dog lovers have to make it a point to visit this cafe!

Interested to find out more? Read our review here.

DAY 3 IN MALACCA

#9 HAVE BREAKFAST AT KAYA KAYA CAFE

11am: Boasting vintage vibes and a sunny courtyard, Kaya Kaya Cafe is an excellent place for breakfast if you want to skip the crowd at Jonker Street. Fuel up for the day with their Kaya Breakfast!

#10 FILL UP YOUR TUMMY AT HOE KEE CHICKEN RICE

2pm: It is easy to tell that Hoe Kee Chicken Rice is a strong competitor against Chop Chung Wah by the large lunch crowd. Unlike the latter, Hoe Kee Chicken Rice has more variety on the menu which includes sides such as vegetables and soup.

#11 SATISFY YOUR CAFFEINE FIX AT BACKLANE COFFEE

4pm:Spend your afternoon at Backland Coffee with a cuppa and some desserts. We love how spacious the cafe is, with comfortable sofa chairs and floor-to-ceiling window panels that allow natural sunlight to filter in.

This coffee sanctuary is a welcoming place for those who wish to rest their weary feet from a day of shopping at Jonker Street.

#12 DROP BY DATARAN PAHLAWAN MELEKA MEGAMALL

6pm: Who says Malacca does not have modern entertainment? Hop over to this bustling megamall which has everything a shopaholic would want from a shopping spree—fashion, retail and branded goods. You can also find a karaoke studio, 3D Art Museum and Kiddie Rides for the little ones.

Penang is another neighbouring Malaysian city you have to explore and you can plan a trip there with only S$250. 

Kaya-kaya Cafe is a reflection of Malacca’s rich culture, history and traditions which are passed down from early settlers to the present generation. The vintage cafe exudes a calm ambience and this hidden treasure where visitors are able to get some respite from the crowd at Jonker Street.

Read: 7 Fun Things To Do At Malacca’s Jonker Street

The Malay word ‘Kaya’ translates to rich or wealthy and the cafe uses it to describe the level of richness in food, life, relationship, health and wealth. In fact, these are the exact words on the wall mural in the courtyard of Kaya-kaya Cafe.

Food at the cafe is hearty and wholesome—ranging from all-day breakfast to pancakes and pasta. Make it a point to stop by the cafe when you are around Jonker Street.

Kaya-kaya Cafe takes you back in time with its faded red brick walls, original artefacts retained from the past, dark wooden furniture and exposed bulbs. Adding to the vintage touches are black and white photographs that are displayed on the wall.

What many visitors really go to the cafe for, is their interior courtyard and wall mural which is at the back of the building. Do not be shy about exploring the cafe for there are many great OOTD spots within!

While Kaya-kaya Cafe’s design is traditional and inspired from Malacca’s past, the food that they serve is mostly Western, such as the Kaya Breakfast (RM22/S$7.10) that we tried. If you are looking for a robust breakfast to start your day right, you have to try this.

The wholesome breakfast came with buttery scrambled eggs, warm toasted bread slices, ham, sausages, mushrooms and refreshing greens.

Other mains on the menu include Grilled Chicken Chop (RM20/S$6.50), Mushroom Omelette (RM16/S$5.16) and Melaka ‘Elvis’ (RM16/S$5.16) which is actually stacked pancakes with banana and homemade kaya.

Kaya-kaya Cafe
32 Jalan Tukang Besi
75200 Malacca, Malaysia
Tel: +60 6-281 4089
Daily: 8am – 6pm

For more recommendations, read our Malacca’s food & travel guide to find out the best places to visit in the city.

If you have been to Malacca, you would have heard of Chop Chung Wah and their signature chicken rice balls. This is a traditional chicken rice shop in Malacca that has been serving the same dish since it first started out.

Apart from its famous steamed white chicken, Chop Chung Wah is also known for having ridiculous queue lines that snake out of the shop. On our visit to Jonker Street, we were advised by locals to visit the shop earlier to beat the crowd.

Does Chop Chung Wah live up to all the hype and attention it has been getting all these years? Carry on reading to find out!

We were lucky that there was no queue when we decided to swing by on a Tuesday morning. So the trick to avoiding the crowd is to visit before lunch hours on a weekday, as the tables start filling up fast once the lunch crowd arrives.

The interior is kept simple and clean so all the attention is on the food that has been meticulously prepared for diners.

Visitors can even watch the stall owner in action as he cuts up the chicken expertly before it is served to you.

One thing to note when you are dining at Chop Chong Wah is that the menu consists of only poached chicken, chicken rice balls and drinks. Unlike Hoe Kee Chicken Rice, seasoning is kept light here so that it does not overshadow the savoury chicken meat.

While we enjoyed it, we felt that it can be rather plain if no dipping sauce is added to compliment the meat.

Minimum order at Chop Chung Wah starts from Half Chicken (RM22.30/S$7.20). You can get One Whole Chicken for RM44.60/S$14.30 and Chicken Rice Balls at RM0.40/S$0.13 each.

Chop Chung Wah
18 Lorong Hang Jebat
75200 Malacca, Malaysia
Daily: 8.30am – 3pm

For more recommendations on where to go, read our food & travel guides on Malacca.

One of the best takeaways from our Malacca trip is visiting Backlane Coffee located at Jalan Hang Jebat, or more commonly known as Jonker Street. True to its name, the cafe is tucked at the back lane of the street where you can enjoy some quiet time away from the crowd.

While the team at Backlane Coffee has built a reputation for serving handmade grub such as classic breakfast sets, pizza and panini, most people visit the cafe for their enticing coffee and dessert selection. Also, the cafe provides free wifi!

This is a pit stop you have to make when you are around Jonker Street.

Featuring warm tones from the aged brick walls, dark wooden furniture and antique items placed around the cafe such as a vinyl record player and a vintage wall clock, the welcoming interior provides a calm environment for guests to stick around for a chat.

We appreciate the large seating area which provides enough space for visitors to wander around the cafe comfortably or even do some work with your laptop without having to squeeze.

Backlane Coffee offers a neat range of artisanal cakes and pastries. We went for their Salted Caramel Tart (RM13/S$4.19) which satisfied our chocolate cravings. The rich chocolate bar comes with a crunchy biscuit base and a layer of salted caramel on top.

Good as the tart is, we recommend sharing it between two people as it might get a little gelat (over cloying).

To balance it out, pair the dessert with a warm cup of Cappuccino (RM12.50/S$4.05). The aromatic coffee is accompanied with handmade traditional biscotti which is marked with the cafe’s name!

When talking about attention to detail when it comes to design, Backlane Coffee wins hands down.

Besides Cappuccino, Backlane Coffee also has Cafe Latte (RM11/S$3.55), Cafe Mocha (RM12.50/S$4) and other beverages including tea and chocolate.

Backlane Coffee
129 Jalan Hang Jebat
75200 Melaka, Malaysia
Tel: +60 6-282 0542
Sun to Thu: 11am – 12 Midnight
Fri & Sat: 11am – 1am

Julee is a staff writer for ladyironchef. She is an advocate of travel and hopes to visit Iceland someday. She enjoys having a good conversation over tea and a slice of cake. There are two things in the world she cannot live without—food and humour.

Read: 7 Fun Things To Do At Malacca’s Jonker Street

Hoe Kee Chicken Rice is a popular destination for Malacca’s iconic chicken rice balls. Having been around since 1962, the chicken rice shop has been dishing out scrumptious chicken and other side dishes to their regular customers.

It is advisable to reach early or be prepared to wait in line for your turn. Hoe Kee Chicken Rice opens early in the morning and closes just before evening time or when ingredients run out.

If you are around Jonker Street, drop by Hoe Kee Chicken Rice for a delightful lunch.

With a large dining area and efficient service from the staff, we did not have to wait for long before our food was served up. However, we definitely recommend visiting during the weekdays.

You may think that all chicken rice shops sell the same Hainanese chicken rice dish but that is not the case. An obvious difference between Hoe Kee Chicken Rice and Chop Chung Wah (another famous chicken rice shop at Jonker Street) is the soy sauce drenched all over the chicken.

The chicken was flavourful, moist and tender. Yes, it is a little more oily because of the sauce but we enjoyed the chicken meat more than the one at Chop Chung Wah. Have it with fragrant chicken rice balls.

The friendly staff would recommend the best portion size for your dining group. If not, you can also have the whole chicken (RM45+/S$14.5+), Half Chicken (RM22.50/S$7.20+) or others. Rice balls go for RM0.30/S$0.10 each.

Hoe Kee Chicken Rice
4, 6 & 8, Jalan Hang Jebat
Malacca, Malaysia
Tel: +60 6283 4751
Mon to Fri: 9.30am – 4pm
Sat & Sun: 9.30am – 4.30pm

One of the most popular cafes in Malacca, The Daily Fix welcomes many visitors on a daily basis. There are a few factors we can think of that attributed to the cafe’s overwhelming success—its location and charming vintage interior.

The Daily Fix is hidden behind a souvenir store at Jonker Street. The only way you will notice any signs of the cafe is if you look out for a sign displayed outside. Mysterious vibes? Checked.

Serving a menu featuring fusion mains and desserts, this is one cafe you cannot skip when in Malacca city.

Antique items such as the traditional television, old suitcases and vintage lamps are tastefully put together to accentuate the cafe’s theme. While waiting for your table, grab a seat on the sofa and get comfortable.

If you are looking for a quieter spot, wander to the back of the cafe where you will find an indoor courtyard. We are loving how the vintage kaleidoscopic plates are reused as backdrops!

The Daily Fix is known for their pancakes and that is exactly what we opted for. Local Pandan Pancake (RM13.90/S$4.48) comes with five small round pancakes stuffed with gula melaka.

As the pancakes are sweet on its own, we did not add any additional gula melaka topping that was given at the side. If sweet tasting foods generally do not appeal to you, getting a savoury pancake would be a better choice.

We decided to go for the Cafe Latte (RM10.50/S$3.38) to pair with our pancakes. There was a good balance between the espresso and milk and those who prefer their coffee less bitter will enjoy this.

Other signature pancakes on their menu include Durian Pancake (RM14.90/S$4.80) and Salted Egg Yolk Pancake (RM17.90/S$5.77). Customise your pancakes with add-ons such as Nutella and vanilla ice cream.

The Daily Fix
55 Jalan Hang Jebat (Jonker Street)
Malacca Town, Malaysia
Tel: +60 6-283 4858
Mon to Fri: 9am – 11.30pm
Sat & Sun: 8.30am – 11.30pm

Read: 7 Fun Things To Do At Malacca’s Jonker Street

A trip to Malacca is not considered complete unless you have been to Jonker Street. It is a place where you will find a mixture of holidaymakers learning more about the culture of old Malacca and locals going about their everyday lives.

Weekends are when Jonker Street is most lively and you get to join in the bustling night market. Those who are not a fan of crowds can consider heading there during weekdays when the streets are quieter.

For those who are planning to visit Malacca, here are 7 Fun Things To Do At Jonker Street.

#1 TRY THE FAMOUS CHICKEN RICE BALLS

The reputation of Malacca’s chicken rice balls have spread far and wide. Obviously, this is something you have to try even if you are just stopping by the city for a day.

There are a few famous stalls at Jonker Street namely Chop Chung Wah, Hoe Kee Chicken Rice and Famosa Chicken Rice. Try to make your way there early for some of these shops close before evening!

#2 HAVE BRUNCH AT BEAUTIFUL CAFES

With influences from abroad brought back by the locals, many traditional shops have been replaced by modern cafes at Jonker Street. While it is a pity that some of the original stores are gone, we were pleased to see that some of these cafes have retained the culture and bits of history from the past.

#3 SHOP FOR SECOND-HAND ITEMS AT ANTIQUE STORES

Are you looking for vintage pieces or ornaments to spice up your house decor? Jonker Street is the place to go for antiques. Walk down the lane and you will find yourself spoilt with plenty of choices. Who knows, you may even find a rare gem in there!

#4 CHECK OUT MAMEE JONKER HOUSE

Yes, this is a museum featuring your favourite childhood snack! You can get everything Mamee-related here including t-shirts and soft toys. Also, what is a trip to Mamee Jonker House without leaving with some Mamee snacks?

Besides that, you can also visit the Mamee Cafe and Mamee Gallery.

#5 VISIT THE VARIOUS TEMPLES

Some of Malaysia’s oldest temples can be found around Jonker Street and were built more than a century ago! History buffs will enjoy taking a little tour around the different religious temples such as the Cheng Hoon Teng Temple, Kampung Kling Mosque and Sri Poyyatha Vinayagar Moorthi Temple.

Do read up on the history of these temples before making your way there so you can fully appreciate these magnificent structures.

Photo Credit: Hotels.com

#6 BABA NYONYA HERITAGE MUSEUM

One of the most distinguishable culture in Malacca is Peranakan or also known as the ‘Baba Nyonya’. If you are interested to find out more about their heritage and past, visit the Baba Nyonya Heritage Musuem.

The museum is made up of three houses that was first built for a Chinese tycoon and his family. It was later converted into a museum for the public and guided tours are provided at various time slots.

Photo Credit: Maxpixel

#7 JONKER WALK NIGHT MARKET

Last but definitely not the least, is the Jonker Walk Night Market. Happening every Friday to Sunday, the streets are closed for make shift stalls that sell everything from accessories and souvenirs to Nyonya delicacies. If you really need a reason to visit Malacca, let this be it.

]]> https://www.ladyironchef.com/2017/04/jonker-street-malacca/feed/ 0