A Day In Melaka.

My recent day trip to Melaka was nothing short of an adventure.

At the outset, I did a some pre-planning on my part, mainly on popular food places I wanted to try, but mostly to get buy-in from my friends. It's always better being the party planner right?

On that sunny Saturday morning, me and two other friends enthusiastically kickstarted our short journey to Melaka, at about 10.30am. We weren't planning to stay overnight, hence there were no extra luggage, just us - dressed in comfortable clothing with loads of energy to boost. 

The drive took slightly over 2-hours long (weekend crowd!). We were starving by the time we arrived at our first food stop, slightly pass 1.30pm.

Of the handful of times I've visited Melaka, I've never had Nyonya food here before. To be honest, I think I've ever only had Nyonya food, 1-2-maybe-3 times. Ever.

What better place to indulge in some authentic Nyonya cuisine, then in Melaka itself!

Upon recommendatiobn by my friend's sister, we decided with Makko in the end, a well known Nyonya restaurant, situated in Melaka Raya.

We waited in line for about 30-45 minutes (it wasn't that bad) before stepping hungrily into the restaurant. If queuing for food is not your thing, there are plenty of other alternatives in the area.

Complimentary chips - Buy a pack of this to bring home!

Kangkung Belacan (RM9).

Sotong Goreng Kunyit (RM17) - Highly Recommended.

Pong Teh (RM12) - Highly Recommended.

Asam Pedas (RM60).

By the time we were done, apart from one other occupied table, we were the last to leave the restaurant. The restaurant closes for a short break between 3-6pm, so don't come stomping in at that time.

Our meal didn't come cheap however, the tab came up to slightly over RM40/person. I also got myself (I meant my family.....) a massive bag of nyonya chips to share (sure, I was in tourist mode), which costs me an additional 11 bucks.

Makko Nyonya Restaurant
Address: 123, Jalan Merdeka, Taman Melaka Raya, 75000 Melaka, Malaysia
Phone:+60 6-284 0737
Opening Hours: Daily 11:30AM–2:45PM, 6–9:30PM. Closed Tuesday. 

We then drove, parked some 5-minutes walk away from Jonker Street, then willingly embraced the crowd and gloomy skies that ensued....

The weather was not on our side that afternoon (well, it was rainy season afterall). It started pouring just moments after we arrived at Jonker, leaving us with not much choice but to head over to our next stop of the day, The Daily Fix cafe.

Much has been said about their deletactable pandan pancakes and I couldn't wait to give it a go!

Lokal Pandan Pancake (RM13.90) - Highly recommended.
Berry Blast (RM12.90). Mango Passion (RM12.90). Barista Choice (RM12) - Highly recommended. 

There's just something about these quirky and vintage cafes that doesn't cease to amaze me. I like! We spend the next 2-hours just savoring pancakes while waiting for the rain to subside.

Tip: The cafe is hidden inside a souvenier shop. Pay attention to the small signboard in the picture above!

The Daily Fix Cafe
Address: 55, Jalan Hang Jebat, 75200 Melaka, Malaysia
Phone: +60 6-283 4858
Opening Hours: Weekday 10.30am-11pm. Weekend 8.30am-11pm.

The thing about Malaccan Roads (especially within the vincinity of Jonker Street), was that traffic goes in a loop - one way in; one way out. Hence, with the horrendous traffic, driving from one place to another would essentially take a longer time than walking.

Despite the slight drizzle, we continued on to our next destination..... by foot.

I've never had satay celup before and I don't think it is easily attainable in KL/PJ. Thus, Capitol Satay Celup have always been part of my to-eat-list. 

We took a short stroll from Jonker, about 2km walk - passing traffic, crossing junctions and roaming along busy shoplots, before arriving at the restaurant, only to be greeted by an unreasonably long queue, stretching 4-5 shoplots away. The wait would probably take about 2-hours.

No. No. No. No. No!

Leaving us with no choice but to head to the next best alternative, Ban Lee Siang Satay Celup @ Jalan Ong Kim Wee. Online reviews seemed positive and it's a bigger restaurant.

The walk was another 2km in the opposite direction - this better be worth it, I thought.....

I said to my friends, "Long queue or not, we are going to wait. No way I'm going home without having any satay celup, especially after walking this far". 

We got ourselves a table not long after that, and gorged on some of the most delicious satay celup I've ever had!

We ended up having about 50 sticks. Well..... I alone had a whooping 25 sticks in total (as though I've not eaten for days.....) Each stick costs RM0.70, and the bill came up to slightly over RM70 for the 3 of us, including drinks.

Trust me, all was definitely worth going the extra mile for. This was also one the most memorable meal of the trip.

Ban Lee Siang Satay Celup
Address: 53-C, Jalan Ong Kim Wee, 75300 Melaka, Malaysia.
Phone: 012-6515322
Opening Hours: Daily 5.30pm-12am. Closed Tuesday.

The journey back to our car was a seriously dangerous one however.....

We were all running very-very low on battery (10% all in maybe?) and hence, having google maps switched on the entire time wasn't an option at all.

Not wanting to take the same long route we took earlier, we decided with a "short cut" which took us through main roads (that only cars took) and back alleyways (that no cars or humans took) and through deserted housing areas. It was drizzling though not pouring, we didn't have an umbrella with and there were no shelter whatsoever (unless I run into someone's home). If mother nature decided to go against, we would be forced to sprint to the nearest shelter, some 1km away.

Luck was on our side this time round.....

Before we knew it..... "Oh hey, that's the famous cheese naan place that I visited the other time I was here", I exclaimed out loud.

It was of pure coincidence that we walked pass one of the famous cheese naan and chicken tandoori place in Melaka.

With no more room left to fit in our tummies, we tarpau-ed some food and had it for breakfast the next morning. Still delicious!

Pak Putra Tandoori & Naan Restaurant
Address: Jalan Kota Laksamana 2/3 & Jalan Kota Laksamana 2/4, Taman Kota Laksamana, 75200 Melaka, Malaysia
Phone: +60 12-601 5876
Opening Hours: 5.30pm - 1am Daily.

After all of that, we hopped on the car and for the next two hours, laughed and reminisce about the events which happend that day.

It was fun.

Now, not wanting to make this blogpost extra wordier than already is, I shall stop right here. Can't wait for the next food endeavour!