Melaka's food icons that are famous for all the right reasons, and friendly on the wallet
If you're a foodie on a budget, here's your ultimate guide to eating like royalty without feeling the pinch.
Everything listed here is under RM20 and full of flavor:
1. The OG Chicken Rice Balls at Chung Wah
Restoran Chung Wah, Jonker Street
Tiny, round and packed with flavor—these bite-sized rice balls are paired with succulent Hainanese chicken. The tangy chili dip? Absolute fire. The queues can be intense, but trust us, it's worth every second. Pro tip: Go early to avoid the lunch rush. Onde-onde in Melaka is a beloved Nyonya delicacy—soft, chewy rice balls filled with molten gula Melaka and coated in freshly grated coconut, offering a burst of sweetness with every bite. Photo illustrated by Sinar Daily
2. Baba Charlie Nyonya Kuih
Baba Charlie, Tengkera
Dive into traditional Nyonya kuih heaven with treats like onde-onde (gooey rice balls filled with molten gula Melaka) and kuih lapis (colorful layered jelly). Baba Charlie's iconic house-turned-kuih-paradise serves nostalgia with every bite. Satay celup in Melaka is a must-try culinary experience, where skewers of meat, seafood and vegetables are dipped into a bubbling pot of rich aromatic peanut sauce. Photo illustrated by Sinar Daily
3. Capitol Satay Celup
Capitol Satay Celup, Lorong Bukit Cina
Think lok lok but drenched in thick, aromatic peanut sauce. Capitol is the spot for satay celup, where you dunk skewers of meat, veggies, and seafood into bubbling hot satay gravy. Budget-friendly, messy and ridiculously satisfying. No visit to Malacca is complete without indulging in some delicious cheese naan at Pak Putra. Photo: Instagram
4. Pak Putra's Garlic Cheese Naan and Tandoori
Pak Putra, Taman Kota Laksamana
No Melaka trip is complete without a late-night session at Pak Putra. Their garlic cheese naan is soft, buttery and best enjoyed with a side of smoky, tender tandoori chicken. It's comfort food, Melaka-style. Pantai Klebang Coconut Shake serves some of the best coconut shakes around. Photo: Instagram
5. Klebang Coconut Shake
Klebang Original Coconut Shake, Klebang
Beat the heat with this icy creamy coconut shake topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Sip it by the beach and life feels instantly better. Pair it with their nasi lemak for the ultimate budget-friendly combo.
6. Roti John at Barkat Roti John
Barkat Roti John, Batu Berendam
Imagine fluffy bread loaded with egg, minced meat and a secret sauce that's both spicy and sweet. Barkat's Roti John has been a Melaka icon for years and every bite tastes like home.
7. Mee Bodo Tengkera
Mee Hassan, Tengkera
Don't let the name fool you—Mee Bodo (literally "stupid noodles") is simplicity at its best. Yellow noodles, sambal and a fried egg. That's it. But the taste? Genius. You'll wonder how something so basic can be so good.
8. Asam Pedas Claypot at Kota Laksamana
Claypot Asam Pedas Kota Laksamana, Jalan Laksamana
Melaka is synonymous with asam pedas and this spot does it justice. Spicy and tangy with chunks of fish or chicken, this dish is best mopped up with steamed rice. Affordable and addictive.
9. Kuih Keria Antarabangsa
Kuih Keria Antarabangsa, Limbongan
These sweet potato doughnuts are glazed with caramelised gula Melaka, making them crispy on the outside and fluffy inside. You'll need at least three to satisfy your cravings.
10. Cendol Kampung Hulu
Cendol Kampung Hulu, Jonker Walk
This modern cendol cafe serves the classic dessert with a twist—opt for their durian or Oreo cendol if you're feeling adventurous. But even the OG gula Melaka version is pure bliss.
Melaka's food scene proves you don't need to drop big bucks to eat well. From street eats to hidden gems, there's always something delicious waiting around the corner.
So pack your appetite, grab your foodie squad and let Melaka's flavors take you on a journey.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Sinar Daily
a day ago
- Sinar Daily
Melaka's food icons that are famous for all the right reasons, and friendly on the wallet
Ah, Melaka - Malaysia's historic gem. But forget the museums and historical sites for a moment; let's talk about what truly makes Melaka magical: the food. If you're a foodie on a budget, here's your ultimate guide to eating like royalty without feeling the pinch. Everything listed here is under RM20 and full of flavor: 1. The OG Chicken Rice Balls at Chung Wah Restoran Chung Wah, Jonker Street Tiny, round and packed with flavor—these bite-sized rice balls are paired with succulent Hainanese chicken. The tangy chili dip? Absolute fire. The queues can be intense, but trust us, it's worth every second. Pro tip: Go early to avoid the lunch rush. Onde-onde in Melaka is a beloved Nyonya delicacy—soft, chewy rice balls filled with molten gula Melaka and coated in freshly grated coconut, offering a burst of sweetness with every bite. Photo illustrated by Sinar Daily 2. Baba Charlie Nyonya Kuih Baba Charlie, Tengkera Dive into traditional Nyonya kuih heaven with treats like onde-onde (gooey rice balls filled with molten gula Melaka) and kuih lapis (colorful layered jelly). Baba Charlie's iconic house-turned-kuih-paradise serves nostalgia with every bite. Satay celup in Melaka is a must-try culinary experience, where skewers of meat, seafood and vegetables are dipped into a bubbling pot of rich aromatic peanut sauce. Photo illustrated by Sinar Daily 3. Capitol Satay Celup Capitol Satay Celup, Lorong Bukit Cina Think lok lok but drenched in thick, aromatic peanut sauce. Capitol is the spot for satay celup, where you dunk skewers of meat, veggies, and seafood into bubbling hot satay gravy. Budget-friendly, messy and ridiculously satisfying. No visit to Malacca is complete without indulging in some delicious cheese naan at Pak Putra. Photo: Instagram 4. Pak Putra's Garlic Cheese Naan and Tandoori Pak Putra, Taman Kota Laksamana No Melaka trip is complete without a late-night session at Pak Putra. Their garlic cheese naan is soft, buttery and best enjoyed with a side of smoky, tender tandoori chicken. It's comfort food, Melaka-style. Pantai Klebang Coconut Shake serves some of the best coconut shakes around. Photo: Instagram 5. Klebang Coconut Shake Klebang Original Coconut Shake, Klebang Beat the heat with this icy creamy coconut shake topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Sip it by the beach and life feels instantly better. Pair it with their nasi lemak for the ultimate budget-friendly combo. 6. Roti John at Barkat Roti John Barkat Roti John, Batu Berendam Imagine fluffy bread loaded with egg, minced meat and a secret sauce that's both spicy and sweet. Barkat's Roti John has been a Melaka icon for years and every bite tastes like home. 7. Mee Bodo Tengkera Mee Hassan, Tengkera Don't let the name fool you—Mee Bodo (literally "stupid noodles") is simplicity at its best. Yellow noodles, sambal and a fried egg. That's it. But the taste? Genius. You'll wonder how something so basic can be so good. 8. Asam Pedas Claypot at Kota Laksamana Claypot Asam Pedas Kota Laksamana, Jalan Laksamana Melaka is synonymous with asam pedas and this spot does it justice. Spicy and tangy with chunks of fish or chicken, this dish is best mopped up with steamed rice. Affordable and addictive. 9. Kuih Keria Antarabangsa Kuih Keria Antarabangsa, Limbongan These sweet potato doughnuts are glazed with caramelised gula Melaka, making them crispy on the outside and fluffy inside. You'll need at least three to satisfy your cravings. 10. Cendol Kampung Hulu Cendol Kampung Hulu, Jonker Walk This modern cendol cafe serves the classic dessert with a twist—opt for their durian or Oreo cendol if you're feeling adventurous. But even the OG gula Melaka version is pure bliss. Melaka's food scene proves you don't need to drop big bucks to eat well. From street eats to hidden gems, there's always something delicious waiting around the corner. So pack your appetite, grab your foodie squad and let Melaka's flavors take you on a journey.
Sinar Daily
a day ago
- Sinar Daily
Melaka's timeless allure, refined for a new generation of travelers
As Malaysia steadily draws the curtain open for Visit Malaysia 2026, few destinations shimmer with as much timeless allure and modern promise as Melaka. As new hotels begin to take root in Melaka's evolving tourism landscape, including a recent addition by Dusit International, Sinar Daily caught up with the brand's COO, Gilles Cretallaz, for a broader conversation on how heritage and hospitality can coexist in a city shaped by history. He observed that few places in Southeast Asia offer the kind of architectural preservation found in Melaka, a feature that continues to captivate both seasoned travellers and first-time visitors. For Cretallaz, Melaka's architectural integrity isn't just aesthetic — it's a rare link to the region's layered past, preserved in ways few Southeast Asian cities can still claim. "The history of Melaka is impressive. I always say that there's not so many places in Southeast Asia, where you still have these heritage buildings. Thanks to Unesco for supporting these sites," he said to Sinar Daily. Dusit International's Chief Operating Officer, Gilles Cretallaz As Malaysia gears up for Visit Malaysia 2026, Cretallaz envisions Melaka evolving further as a major tourist hub. He emphasised the importance of maintaining the city's historic core. 'The old city of Melaka is well-protected and that's crucial. Moving forward, we can enhance the experience by adding more authentic and interactive activities. "A sophisticated night market or opportunities for deeper engagement with local communities could elevate the visitor experience," he suggested. He also noted the promising potential for growth in the hospitality sector. 'More hotels will undoubtedly emerge, which is beneficial for the state and the local economy. It means more jobs for the community and greater support for tourism,' he said. Check out the Melaka Straits Mosque. Photo: Canva As efforts intensify for Visit Malaysia 2026, the city's bright future looks set to shine even more brilliantly on the global stage. What's new in Melaka: Fresh attractions and cultural gems to explore Melaka isn't just leaning on its laurels — it's actively reinventing itself to meet the tastes of modern travelers. Here's what you should explore: The Shore Sky Tower : The tallest building in Melaka, The Shore Sky Tower offers panoramic 360-degree views of the city and the Straits of Melaka. Brave the glass-bottomed Sky Deck for a thrilling perspective. Encore Melaka: This mesmerising 75-minute theatre show features 200 local performers and uses state-of-the-art 360-degree rotating audience seats to tell the story of Melaka's multicultural history. Mural art trails and street installations: New street art installations in areas beyond Jonker Walk, including Kampung Morten and Jalan Tukang Besi, invite Instagrammers and art lovers alike to explore deeper pockets of local creativity. Melaka river cruise 2.0: The river cruise has expanded with new commentary in multiple languages and curated night rides that show off Melaka's shimmering riverside like never before. A quaint Melaka boutique keeps tradition alive with its vibrant display of hand-embroidered Nyonya kebaya. Photo:Canva Pop-up night markets and artisan fairs: Seasonal markets are popping up across the city, offering artisanal food, handmade crafts, and live music. Keep an eye out for events in Dataran Pahlawan and Kota Laksamana. Revamped museums & heritage homes: Restorations at the Baba Nyonya Heritage Museum and the reopening of Villa Sentosa in Kampung Morten mean deeper cultural immersion is just a ticket away.
Rakyat Post
25-06-2025
- Rakyat Post
Café In Penang Offers Full Nyonya Experience, Complete With Baju Kebaya
Subscribe to our FREE Those who have visited Japan or Korea might have experienced tour packages that fully immerses you in their culture – everything from participating in tea ceremonies to wearing their traditional kimono or hanbok. A café in Penang has adapted the idea and crafted a Nyonya experience for any who are interested in the Peranakan culture that dates back to the 19th century. The package, offered by Nyonya Palazzo, is priced at RM138 and customers will get a baju kebaya for rent, an entrance ticket to the Penang Peranakan Mansion, and authentic Nyonya desserts for tea. In addition to the kebaya rental, Penang Peranakan Mansion also provides makeup services (at an additional cost) in case you want to spruce up for photos around the mansion. What is the Penang Peranakan Mansion? Image: Supanut Arunoprayote Nestled at 29 Church Street in George Town's UNESCO‑listed heritage zone, the Penang Peranakan Mansion is a Originally built between 1893–95 for Chinese tin‑mining magnate and Kapitan Cina Chung Keng Quee (then named Hai Kee Chan), the mansion blends Chinese, Malay and European architectural influences – think Chinese wood carvings, Staffordshire tiles, Scottish ironwork, and French windows. Image: Supanut Arunoprayote It later fell into disrepair before being purchased and Delicious Nyonya treats As part of the bundle, and to complete the experience, customers will also be treated to traditional Nyonya kuih such as kuih pulut hitam, kuih ubi sago, kuih seri muka, and more. A guided tour of a historical UNESCO site, an immersive experience with photo opportunities, and mouth-watering traditional treats. Would you sign up for this authentic Nyonya experience? Address: 29, Lebuh Penang, Georgetown, 10200 George Town, Penang Opening hours: 10am – 6pm (daily) Share your thoughts with us via TRP's . Get more stories like this to your inbox by signing up for our newsletter.
