Not the most famous place to visit in Malaysia. It has a historic side because of Portuguese invasion, about 2 hour drive from Kuala Lumpur and also easy to visit from Singapore (3h). This easy going place, with many museums and eateries has quite some history. Although, for museums you really want to research and choose which one to visit, otherwise you might find them not worthy.
Well known place for Peranakan (mixed Chinese and Malay/Indonesian) heritage food. If you like Chinese food, you may imagine the similar dishes with extra spices and hot peppers. Quite tasty I would say.
Places recommended to visit:
Jonker Walk Street Night Market
This 500 meter street will turn into a night market full of cheap goods and most importantly many local food stalls offering dim sum, fried baby crabs, local sea food, stinky tofu (not the best I’ve tried), otak otak, coconut ice cream, dragon beard sweets, chendol and others. Some stores are open during the day and will also do a temporary stall at night, while many other stalls are just locals taking advantage of the opportunity sales from the crowds that comes to check the market. Ambience is joyful and fun. Make sure to have an afternoon cold drink by the geographer cafe while everyone prepares for the night market at about 5 pm, street is closed for traffic from 6pm to 12pm.
A Famosa
Old Fortress from 1512 built by the Portuguese in Malacca, or what is left from it.
St Paul church
Free to visit and on the highest hill downtown, you may get a nice view of the surroundings. Also, it is just next to A Famosa.
Places for food:
Nancy’s kitchen: Presented as the best Peranakan food place by a local friend who relocated because of food. Honestly besides his title, the place has a big offering of dishes, it is very tasty and certainly a highlight from this trip. You can try almost every Peranakan dish here. Make sure to try the local desserts which they sell near the cashier.
I recommend the chicken rendang, otak otak, sweet potato green leaves with garlic, black nut chicken*(acquired taste) and pig throttlers.
On the sweet side, their dodl is the best I loved the durian dodl. Savoury Rice dumpling and coconut sweet rice are good as well.
Portuguese settlement
If you follow food videos on youtube, you’ll find many different local dishes you must try. Well, you cannot afford to miss this place. I specifically visited J&J corner, owner is friendly and will keep talking to you about their place and history if you wish to. Just make sure to tell him the food tastes “Sabroso”.
I recommend their black pepper crab, sting ray with sambal, rendang and mango juice.
Ah Kor Kopitiam
Local cafe with very tasty prawn soup with noodles and it is extra customizable to your taste. Local recommended place.
Places for a drink:
Gravy baby
Relaxed ambient for having a drink while looking to the Bastion Middleburg near the river, and far ahead the Flora de la mar boat museum. Apparently people come here for their gravy and pies, but being in Malacca I didn’t want to use any room in my belly for the more British styled food.
Geographer
Nice place for a drink while sitting and looking at people pass by, confirming you are a tourist. Haha.
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