Melaka may be the third smallest state after Perlis and Penang, but boy this Historic State sure is packed with a whole city load of outstanding dishes and beverages, I'd bet you'll keep coming back for more.
Driving to this UNESCO World Heritage Site (since 7 July 2008) from Kuala Lumpur takes approximately an hour and a half. (Please do not drive at breakneck speed just to proof me wrong).
First stop when you get here – Chung Wah Chicken Rice Ball, at Jonker Street.
There will always be a queue that's a mile long, but you'd want to wait it out cos it'll only be a few minutes (though it may seem like an eternity under the scorching hot afternoon Malaccan sun). Just bring along an umbrella if you're gonna be woosy about it.
What happens next is you're gonna get a table and finally get to order your food. How to order? Go for at least 10 hand-shaped balls of rice each and do the Asian thing of one, massive central plate of perfectly steamed/blanched chicken covered in delicious chicken essence/sauce with freshly cut cucumbers, served with some out-of-this-world blended chili sauce.
Yes, see those yummy chicken rice balls? Once you pop, you can't stop.
When you're done with lunch, you'd want to walk on over to Jonker Walk and continue with the food trail. Lots of snacks of all shapes and sizes await.
You'll want to try some of everything. But do keep a schedule and don't overdo it on any one part of the street. Keep your eyes wide open and walk on.
Stop whenever something catches your eyes, buy it and move on. So much to see, too little time.
Next you're got to jump into your car again and head towards Pantai Klebang (look for the road signs) or set your GPS to Klebang Besar.
By the roadside you will see a stall with a perpetual long queue. And that's just the "takeaway" section. Turn in that small "lorong" that'll take you to the Klebang Original Coconut Shake.
Find yourself a table and make your orders. Call for a "Special" one and you'll be delighted with a mug of delicious Coconut Shake with a mega scoop of Wall's vanilla flavoured ice-cream on top.
It's usually hot if it's not raining but you won't be feeling the heat once your refreshing Coconut Shake arrives.
Now this is heaven sent. And you won't stop till you've gulped down at least two of these. And while you're at it, grab yourself some "kuih-muih" (cakes and savoury snacks) plus a pack or two of nasi lemak bungkus (a fragrant rice dish that's cooked in coconut milk, packed with spicy sweet sambal, fried groundnuts, cucumber slices, quarter of a hard boiled egg and crispy fried mini anchovies).
And for your road trip back to Kuala Lumpur, buy a pack (or three) of the seasonal Kerepek Udang Geragau (some kind of prawn found in Melaka, so says the mini banner) and get home safely while bursting at the seams.
Or if you're willing to stay around for a bit, and wait for dinner time – you could drop by Seri Muara Alai Nasir Ikan Bakar for a grilled seafood feast. Then maybe stay the night and begin afresh the next morning?
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| GPS: KM8, Alai, Melaka |
