Category Archives: Melaka

Family, Food, Halal, Hotels, MALAYSIA, Melaka, Melaka, Non-Halal, Noodle, Nyonya, Snack

Highlight of my Short Gateway to Melaka 2022

December 4, 2022 thammelissa 4 Comments

During the recent school break, I decided to bring my family to Melaka for a short gateway. It has been 2+ years since our last visit to Melaka.

1. Stay at Estadia Hotel Melaka

Since its a family gateway, I checked for a rather spacious rooms which offers good rates. After comparing the hotels and reviews…I then decided to choose Estadia Hotel Melaka which fulfilled my criteria.

Estadia Hotel is also a sister hotel of Hatten Hotel and the price is more affordable too. Estadia Hotel is located within a short distance with Mahkota Parade, Mahkota Medical Hospital, Hatten Square, Dataran Pahlawan. It is also next to Hatten Hotel. Furthermore its distance to the popular tourist spot, Jonker Street is about 3km.

Despite visiting on weekdays, the Melaka town road is still so busy. Probably due to school holidays.

The hotel car park is shared with Hatten Square. Remember to validate your car park ticket at the hotel lobby for the free parking. In this case, we uses TouchNGo card.

“Experience authentic Baba Nyonya culture in a splendid Peranakan mansion-home styled hotel. A perfect blend of contemporary design meets traditional textures and motifs, revel in Estadia’s magnificent décor inspired by Melaka’s ethnic heritage.”

I booked the Family Suite which has 2 connecting rooms, even with 2 bathrooms with a good price of about RM330 per night for this suite.

I would say the rooms are quite cosy & comfortable.

Coffee/ tea making facilities. I like the water bottle. So cute and nice.

2. McQuek’s Satay Celup

McQuek’s Satay Celup (Main Branch)

288 Jalan Parameswara, Banda Hilir, 75000 Melaka.

Contact No.：010-268 2998

Operation Hours：4:00pm – 11:00pm

(Closed on Wednesdays)

After getting some rest in our hotel room, we went out for early dinner at McQuek’s Sate Celup. I google search for less tourist place and stumbled upon this . You may overlook this place because it is located along the main road.

We were the early birds. Hence no crowd. I preferred this place over the popular Ban Lee Siang, because it is more spacious and more open air here. Hence I feel more comfortable eating here. Besides that, the service and taste was satisfying too.

Staff will constantly check on our satay sauce and refill them. Besides that the precook satay sauce is also available for sale. So that you can also DIY your own satay celup at home using their sauce.

3. Jonker Walk

Each time come to Jonker Walk also so hot and sweaty! HAHAHAHA!!

Discovered some interesting plaques from one of the shop.

Got attracted with these blocks. I bought one too….. with a different figure.

4) Sebungkus Melaka

Address: Lot G065- G066, Terminal Pahlawan, Jln Merdeka, Bandar Hilir, 75000 Malacca

Operation Hours : 8am – 8pm (Open daily)

Phone: 012-969 7295

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sebungkusmelaka/

We did not go for hotel breakfast, but checking out this rather new makan place which is just a short walking distance from our hotel.

A small local kopitiam serving local delicacies.

We had their breakfast set, which came with few options with an affordable price. We love the nasi lemak, the rice was aromatic and the sambal was good! (It was my lucky day….I got a double egg yolk in an egg). Besides that, the Char Kuey Teow was nice too with ‘wok hei’.

5) BESS Kopitiam

Address: Pusat Niaga, 7 , jalan PNBBU 5, Kampung Solok Musai, Bukit Baru Utama, 75150 Melaka

Operation Hours : 7.30am – 3.30pm (Closed on Thursdays)

Phone: 017-610 8055

I used to eat Nyonya Laksa at Jonker Walk, because its more convenient to eat and walk there. But recently I felt the taste has deteriorate and also expensive. Then I tried before at Donald & Lily, it was good but unfortunately it has closed down.

I google search for the less tourist one….. In resultant I was here at Bess Kopitiam.

Apparently, the Nyonya Laksa is a must TRY here. Even my Malaccan blogger friend will often dapao their Nyonya Laksa whenever she return hometown. The crowd here are mostly locals, the prices are quite affordable too.

Nyonya Laksa is a rich, coconut-based broth that originated from Melaka. The creamy broth consists of coconut milk. Tops with julienned cucumber, prawns, sliced fish cakes, bean sprout, hard boiled egg and bean curd puffs.

Looking at the color…. it was really rich, creamy and flavorful.

All in all, the Nyonya Laksa was the best, then follow up with Bihun Siam. They also sell the homemade Nyonya Pineapple Tarts, but taste average only.

6) Klebang Original Coconut Shake

Before leaving Melaka, we decided to stop over Klebang Coconut Shake for the popular coconut shake and some snacks. This place is often crowded. But probably because we were early and it was on weekday, hence there wasn’t much crowd.

The huge sign arch is pretty visible on the side of the busy road.

The coconut shake are freshly made. Ice+ Cocounut Flesh + Coconut Juice, topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. It was quite refreshing and also a thirst quencher drink on a hot and sunny day!

We also tried the Nasi Lemak bungkus, Bihun Goreng and Onde-onde. I would conclude that the coconut shake was good, whilst the rest were just mediocre.

Address: Lot 130, Solok Kampung Bahagia, 75200 Klebang Besar, Malacca

Operation Hours: Daily (11am – 6.30pm) , Friday (2.30pm – 6.30pm)

Phone: 013-399 4061

~That’s the end of our short trip to Melaka…See you soon…~

Cafe, Cakes, Food, Halal, Melaka, Shopping, Western

Lunch @Zang Toi Cafe, Freeport A’Famosa Outlet

September 22, 2016 thammelissa 3 Comments

**NO LONGER AVAILABLE**

A visit to Zang Toi Cafe at Freeport A’Famosa Outlet, sometime ago…

Zang Toi Cafe may not be something new to KL folks. Although I’ve been hearing about the affordable price set lunch and how good about the banana chocolate cake,but this was my first time trying it here. HAHAHA….. 😀 😀 *paiseh*

Zang Toi Cafe is the ULTIMATE culinary experience with menu carefully curated by the designer himself.

Styled after Zang Toi’s Upper East Side’s apartment, the cafe is crafted into a chic and and elegant outlet, and to exudes the very essence of the Zang Toi brand. It is collision between fashion and food world.

Set lunch are priced at RM18.90+ onward. Inclusive of a drink, main course and a dessert. Which I felt pretty reasonable.

Set lunch comes with a small glass of thirst quencher drink, Zang Toi’s Tea Punch. It was very refreshing and nice. It tasted citrus and minty. Wishing for a bigger glass. :-p

WEST 57^TH NASI LEMAK CHICKEN

Nasi Lemak served with condiments. Rice and sambal were quite nice. However the fried chicken was quite dry. Probably over-frying.

WEST 57^TH NASI LEMAK RENDANG CHICKEN

That piece of rendang chicken was kinda small, I felt. But the taste of it was alright.

ORIGINAL HAINANESE CHICKEN CHOP

I personally like the Hainanese Chicken Chop. Deep fried chicken (not boneless) with sauce served with coleslaw and generous amount of crinkle fries.

Jumbo Sausage with Cheese and Mayo (ala-carte) – RM15

Served on NYC Soft Toasted Bun

Iced Cappuccino (ala-carte) – RM8.50

For dessert, we were served with BANANA CHOCOLATE CAKE WITH ICE CREAM. This is also their signature dessert. Loving their banana chocolate cake very much. Its so rich, chocolaty and moist. Banana+Chocolate lover would love this cake.

On the other hand, another set lunch was served with LIME TEA CAKE, which turn out to be a disappointing one. It was dry and crumbly.

Click HERE for the menu.

Apart from Zang Toi Cafe, you can shop and dine at Freeport A’Famosa Outlet. However the dining choices are quite limited. There’s Papparich, Merry Brown & KFC.

The outlet is set in an open air mall featuring a lake, fountains, carousel and windmill with architecture loosely themed on Malacca’s Dutch heritage.

Adults with children can go on a free merry go round (carousel) ride here.

Selfie with Jet while waiting for grandma who’s doing shopping here.

Comparing Freeport with Mitsui, I preferred Mitsui Outlet lar.

Pros:-

Nice colorful buildings

Got water fountain & free carousel ride

Cons:-

Aircond only available when you step into shops

Brand selections are quite limited.

Freeport A’Famosa Outlet
Jalan Kemus
Simpang Empat
78000 Alor Gajah

Cafe, Coffee, Drinks, Food, Melaka, Western

Eat at 18 @Melaka

June 10, 2016 thammelissa 5 Comments

view from our hotel room (906 Riverside Hotel)

view from our hotel room (906 Riverside Hotel)

On our recent short trip to Melaka, we stayed at 906 Riverside Hotel. We got the Family Room which comes with 2 bedrooms, a small living hall & a balcony onlooking Melaka river. With an affordable price of RM200+, we were satisfied with the room & location. Our hotel is pretty nearby Jonker Street (can walk also).

On the following morning, I decided to bring my family to cafe for a breakfast. You know…there are plenty of cafes near Jonker street, the rustic kind of cafes which you hardly find in the city. I texted my blogger friend, Constance Ann who’s a Melaka based person. She suggested me to go “Eat at 18”. Initially I thought she asked me to go eat at “18”..Eat at 18 is the name of the particular cafe lar!

Eat at 18 occupying the ground floor of an intermediate 2-storey shop. You wouldn’t believe that there’s a boutique hotel on first floor.

If you drive, there No Parking here. Park elsewhere and walk over.

“We served comfort and simple food. Fresh baked organic breads, cookies and desserts. All natural ingredients.” claimed by Eat at 18.

This place is very instagram friendly. You can shoot beautiful photos at different angles. But quite space constraint and limited seats.

*In this case, I trained my kid to pose for photos* 😀

Eat at 18 serves Lavazza Coffee. Macchiato at RM7.90.

Cappuccino – RM8.90

Flat White – RM8.90

Portobello Mushroom Soup (topped with fresh cream & comes with bread crisp) – RM12.90
It was a yummy soup I felt. Its not too creamy. Its rich whereby you can taste the tiny bits of mushrooms.

There wasn’t much choice of breakfast here.

Therefore we go for Eat 18 Breakfast Platter (serves 2 pax) – RM33.90

From menu it says; consists of beef bacons, scramble eggs, seared tomatoes, saute mushroom, hash potatoes, toasts.

Very hearty breakfast platter. Since we do not take beef, the staff changed the beef bacons to grilled chicken. Instead of just seared tomatoes, they gave salad too. Everything was nicely done, in terms of taste and presentation.

Verdict : If coffee art is your main concern, sorry to disappoint you here. Food variation quite limited. But I like the food I ordered and also the bread. However for coffee, I find it abit tad too foamy for my liking.

Eat at 18

18, Jalan Hang Lekiu

75200 Malacca

Melaka, Malaysia

Tel:+60 281 4679

Operating Hours: Monday 8:30AM – 6:00PM | Wednesday – Sunday 8:30AM – 6:00PM |(Closed on Tuesday)

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eatat18

**cash term, imposed 10% service charge
**pork free

*solely based on writer's own opinion*

Food, Friends, Melaka, Melaka, Travel

A Day Trip to MELAKA (Part 2)

November 3, 2010 thammelissa 7 Comments

[cont. from previous post…]

4) MENARA TAMING SARI

We walked for about 15 minutes from Jonkers Street. The price for each ticket is RM10 (provided you show them your MY Kad/ Malaysian citizen). Or else it will be priced at RM20.

Menara Taming Sari which located at Jalan Merdeka, Banda Hilir, Melaka was opened on 18 April 2008. The 110 metre viewing tower was designed based on the legendary Taming Sari Keris.

It will be the 1st tower in the country to have a fully revolving structure. The air-conditioned viewing cabin will be able to accommodate 66 people at one time.

Menara Taming Sari

getting ready…..

view of Melaka from the tower

5) Nadeje Patisserie Cafe, Mille Crepe

I’ve seen several good reviews on this cafe. As its famous for its crepe. The crepe is a cake form with many layers of pancake with fresh cream on each layer. It was my first time trying it. The one that we went is located at Dataran Pahlawan. The cafe was full. We waited for about 10 minutes to be seated. Worth waiting….

Hardly decide

Mango Yogurt (RM9) – Rich yogurt taste. Its very fluffy.

Rum & Raisin (RM8.50) – Not much of rum taste. It tasted more on raisin side.

Coffee (RM8.50) – With nice coffee taste.

Chocolate Strawberry (RM9.50)

All of the above are very nice. The texture is soft & fluffy. Yet the sweetness ain’t killing your tooth. A very good place for a tea break.

All the drinks above are from RM3.80 to RM5

Nadeje Cafe Sdn. Bhd.
Lot No. UB051, 052 & 053,
Dataran Pahlawan Melaka Megamall,
Ljn Merdeka,
75000 Bandar Hilir Melaka.

6) A FAMOSA

A Famosa meant “The Famous” in Portuguese. It is among the oldest surviving European architectural remains in Asia. The Porta de Santiago, a small gate house, is the only remaining part of the fortress still standing. Took some snapshots just in front of the wall.

A formal pose

when the fun occurs

The Girls versus The Guys

7) Seafood @ Portuguese Settlement, Melaka

Our last pit stop of the day. Headed over Portuguese Settlement for our dinner. Without knowing where the location is; (never been there before) and all we got is the address. Good to have GPS these days. Lucky to have Kong’s voice GPS* to guide us there. (with an ang mo lady voice whom ask you to turn left, turn right, turn left right….LOL!). Don’t worry, it won’t lead you over the walls. Hahahaha….

Reached there at about 7pm. There is an open air area allocated for parking. Just pay RM1 per entry. Bear in mind; once you got down from your car, don’t be surprise they will be people kinda promoting their stall to you. Since there are 10 shops in total; therefore the business is quite competing.

Its actually located just by the sea. It was so windy & the sea waves are so strong.

View of the surrounding.

As the Sun sets

We chose this restaurant; as it was recommended by a blogger

Watermelon Juice(L) – RM3.50

Kailan with Salted Fish – RM8

Very nice smell of the salted fish. The vege doesn’t taste overcooked either.

Sambal Sotong – RM15

The sotong/squid is fresh. However the sambal/sauce is abit on salty side.

Baked Fish in Portuguese Style – RM32

The fish is the best! Especially the sauce they used to bake the fish. It combines really well.

Crabs with Salted Egg

Dry Spicy Crab

The crabs are priced at RM40/kg. You may pick your choice of cooking method. We chose it to be cooked with salted egg and dry spicy. Somehow; the taste are SO SO only. But the crabs are very fresh!

Lala(Clams) with Ginger & Cili Padi – RM15

We waited quite long for this last dish to be served. To our surprise; this dish is really good! Especially its gravy. A recommended one!

FOOD : 3.5/5

PRICE : 4/5

Stall No 4 (88 Sea Front Restaurant) @ Portuguese Settlement, Ujong Pasir, 75050 Melaka.

All of us were so loaded with great food. Took a slow drive back home. And there goes a fruitful day. 😉

Food, Friends, Melaka, Melaka, Travel

A Day Trip to MELAKA (Part 1)

November 2, 2010 thammelissa 2 Comments

An impromptu plan we made.

Chose Melaka as the destination as it is near. Iternary was drafted last minute too. Googled for places to eat. I am very sure that we ended up more eating than sight-seeing. Eat at almost every stops. *blushed*

On Sunday; Ashley, Andrew, Wanyi & Yew Kong traveled from KL and reached my house at about 10.30am. We then traveled to Melaka; safely arrived and got our car parked at Jonkers Street at about 11.30am.

All of us were so hungry. Decided chicken rice ball as our so-called breakfast.

1) KEDAI KOPI CHUNG WAH

queued to be seated

The 3 angels; Ashley, Wanyi, Melissa

spicy chili sauce

Steamed Chicken with Soy Sauce

Rice Balls. Sized of a ping pong.

Rice are very soft. Chicken meat is rather abit hard. Somehow I preferred the one at ‘Hoe Kee’.

KEDAI KOPI CHUNG WAH @ 18, Jalan Hang Jebat, 75200 Melaka.

After the chicken rice meal; walked around at Jonkers Street. Luckily it wasn’t very really sunny that day. Or else I will be perspiring non-stop. 😉

2) JONKER 88

A shop serving various noodles & cendols. The shop is often seen with long queues.

the interior

We ordered 2 types of Laksa.

Nyonya Assam Laksa – Its different from the Penang Assam Laksa. This is much more sour and spicy. Without the shrimp paste.

Baba Laksa – Creamy Curry soup. Nice one!

Jonker88
88, Jalan Hang Jebat, 75200, Melaka
GPS: 2.199570, 102.246644
Tel: 019-397 5665

3) LAO QIAN ICE CAFE

Under the sunny walk; a bowl of cendol is best to stop the thirst.

Amoy Yuan Yang Waffle; filled with pandan flavor paste.

Yummy Durian Cendol

For more detail; check out the post which I’ve blog last time.

Durian Cendol @ Lao Qian Ice Cafe

After the dessert; we walked all the way towards Menara Taming Sari (next post).

Dessert, Food, Halal, Melaka

Durian Cendol @ Lao Qian Ice Cafe

October 5, 2010 thammelissa 4 Comments

During my recent trip to Melaka; we had the chicken rice ball as our lunch(previous post). After the nice lunch; I suggested to Alex for a durian cendol inside the San Shu Gong building named Lao Qian Ice Cafe.

I think it belongs to San Shu Gong. San Shu Gong; is the latest landmark situated at Jonker’s Street, Melaka. If you are durian lover; you must not miss this!

the 4-storey building

The menu.

Not only serving cendol, but there are other drinks & snacks too.

Step 1 – Made an order

Step 2 – Opened the lid & scoop scoop

Step 3 – Dug out the treasure beneath the container

Step 4 – Dig till saw the durian concentrate

Step 5 – Stir everything before popping into your mouth

what can you get? (durian paste, red bean, atap chee, cendol(greeny thg), nata de coco, sufficient gula Melaka mixed with crushed ice)

face of satisfaction!

varieties of local products sold in San Shu Gong

view of Jonker’s Street from 1st floor.

Lao Qian Ice Cafe (inside San Shu Gong Building)
33 Lorong Hang Jebat, Melaka
Tel : 06-282 8381

Chinese, Food, Melaka, Non-Halal

Chicken Rice Ball @ HOE KEE

October 1, 2010 thammelissa 1 Comment

Alex & I were on 2 nights stay in Melaka. On the 1st day; we decided to head over to Melaka town to have the famous chicken rice ball. This restaurant is usually full when it meets any public holidays or long weekends. You will usually sees tourist queuing up in a long queue.

The rice are boiled till its cooked. When the rice is still warm, immediately they will shape them into round round, ping pong ball liked shaped. It is popular among the Hainanese. Why is it round? Here are the reason:- (source from Wikipedia)

“The rice was originally shaped into balls because it needed to be kept warm from the time it was cooked (often earlier in the day) until mealtime. The rice balls, when stored in wooden containers, apparently stayed warm for a longer time. The other theory is that the rice balls were more portable and were easier for labourers working on plantations to transport from home.”

This dish is eaten the same way as the regular version of chicken rice, making sure to get a portion of chicken, some rice and the soy and chili condiment into each mouthful.

our order

the appetizing Assam Fish – RM24

A plate of rice balls. Consists of 10pieces. Just enough for both of us. –RM3

The rice is not too hard. Its soft yet firm. Quite tasty though.

A plate of chicken – RM9

The chicken meat is so tender. With some soy sauce on the base of the chicken, made it even tastier.

Chili sauce which MUST go along with the rice & chicken

Food : 4/5

Ambiance : 4/5

Service : 4/5

Address:

Hoe Kee Chicken Rice

4, 6, 8,

Jalan Hang Jebat,

75200 Melaka.

Tel : 06-2834751

H/P : 012-6238431

**NON-HALAL**

Anniversary, celebration, Food, Halal, Melaka, Western

Dinner at Cravo Cravo

September 30, 2010 thammelissa 2 Comments

Since we are staying in Philea Resort; so we decided to have our dinner there. Currently only Cravo Cravo is operating. It is located near the lobby.

It was on Sunday, therefore they won’t be serving buffet dinner. Then we opt for ala-carte.

the ambiance of the restaurant-very relaxing feel

Surprisingly we were the only couple whom had our dinner there. I guessed probably because its Sunday, many of the guest has gone home. Sounds like we have booked the entire restaurant. Isn’t that GREAT! 😀

After browsing through the menu; we decided on our order. Lets see what we’ve ordered.

Watermelon Juice – RM15++

a complimentary warm bun along with butter before the meal

Braised Fish Lip & Seafood – RM19++

(vegetable & seafood dumpling) – starter

Mediterranean Grilled Chicken – RM49++

(served with bed of baked vegetable, topped with Vietnamese Roll)

Provencale Herb Crust Lamb Rack – RM79++

(served with polenta grilled courgettes roasted garlic juice)

the above 2 photos are:-

Baked Sweet Tropical Mango in Fillo Pastry (with Ice Cream) – RM22++

had a snapshot before we left.

Braised Fish Lip & Seafood – as a starter, the soup did added appetite to me

Mediterranean Grilled Chicken – they used chicken breast, which I felt its abit dry. But the Vietnamese roll is nice.

Provencale Herb Crust Lamb Rack – the lamb ribs are tasty. If there’s extra gravy, it will add some credit to it.

Baked Sweet Tropical Mango in Fillo Pastry (with Ice Cream) – the baked mango in fillo pastry is unique. It combines well with the chocolate flavor ice cream!

Ambiance : 4/5

Food : 3/5

Price : 3/5

Address :

Cravo Cravo

Philea Resort & Spa
Lot 2940, Jalan Ayer Keroh,
Off Jalan Plaza Tol,
75450 Ayer Keroh, Melaka.
T +606-233 3399

Food, Melaka, Non-Halal, Steamboat

Capitol Satay Celup

June 29, 2010 thammelissa 3 Comments

Continued fromShort trip to Melaka

Got my map printed; read some reviews & recommendation from the internet. Reached the place at 4.55pm. The shop usually operates from 5pm. To my surprise; 5 minutes before 5pm, the restaurant already 1/3 occupied. (Luckily I was early; Luckily I got the help from google map, Luckily I managed to find a car parking lot). I’m not too sure whether is this the best one or not. But its recommended by many bloggers. Moreover the place is easy to find too! Approximate 20 minutes later; the crowd started to come in. The queue grew 10 times by the time we left at around 6pm.

Each skew priced at RM0.80.