[NON-HALAL]
Despite the sweltering heat, there is a steady stream of customers queuing up to enjoy a hearty meal of chicken rice balls, a dish that has become synonymous with Melaka.
Inside is a flurry of activity so make way for the many waiters balancing plates of chicken rice balls and rushing cool drinks from the counter to the table where hungry customers await their meal.
Behind the cash register intently surveying the scene is the restaurant’s current owner, 47-year-old Lah Fah Cheong.
His eyes dart back and forth as he scans the crowd, making sure he gives the right change to those settling their bills.
Lah is the second-generation owner of the famous restaurant franchise, taking over his father’s business after working as a cook in various other restaurants for five years.
While Lah had a keen interest in cooking, he said his dad was more into the business aspect of things, and focussed on building the franchise so he could expand his business far and wide. There are currently five outlets in Melaka now.
One of the restaurant’s specialties is its instantly recognisable and visually amusing rice balls. Packed into rounds roughly the size of a standard golf ball, these are sold in plates of five.
“The chicken rice balls resemble fish balls so it is visually appealing to our customers,” he said, adding that no other restaurant serves rice in this manner.
The rice balls are small enough to pop whole into your mouth, making the meal not only a tasty but somewhat unique experience for those who are new to it.
To keep the balls intact, the rice is well cooked but not overcooked – just firm enough to be pleasant to eat.
Pair the rice balls with a plate of roasted or steamed chicken to fuel up on protein, or you can opt for a plate of roasted pork instead. The crunchy bean sprouts doused in soy sauce are a must as well.
If you’re craving for dessert, why not order from the restaurant itself? A small bowl of shaved ice together with thick gula Melaka is especially satisfying on an extremely hot day.
Famosa Chicken Rice Ball (non-halal)
21, Jalan Hang Jebat
75200 Melaka
Contact: 06-2860120