Melaka is a favourite tourist spot not only among foreigners but also Malaysians. Steeped in history and culture, Melaka has a lot to offer the tourist looking for a good time.
But besides the many historical sites in this Unesco World Heritage city, Melaka is also famous for its food, of which there is a wide variety here from the various cultures in Malaysia.
1. Eat asam pedas claypot
There are asam pedas restaurants scattered all over Melaka but if you want to try something different, head over to Asam Pedas Claypot at Taman Kota Laksamana.
This spicy-sour-savoury dish will leave your taste buds craving for more.
But there are rivals aplenty even within the vicinity of this restaurant such as
Asam Pedas Claypot Pokok Besar.
Be warned though, parking space is limited here and if you opt to eat at the more famous ones, you might even have to wait to get seated.
Asam Pedas Claypot Kota Laksamana
86, Jalan Laksamana 5
Taman Kota Laksamana
2. Enjoy Ee Ji Ban Chicken Rice Ball
Ee Ji Ban Chicken Rice Ball restaurant is 100% halal, unlike most others in Melaka. Apart from this very famous dish, they also serve authentic Nyonya (Peranakan) dishes.
This restaurant is so famous it was once featured in TV3’s Jalan-Jalan Cari Makan and has been visited by celebrities and members of royalty.
Ee Ji Ban Chicken Rice Ball
275, Jalan Melaka Raya 3
Taman Melaka Raya
3. Visit Masjid Cina Melaka
The design of Masjid Cina Melaka sets it apart from other mosques in the country. Instead of the usual dome and minarets, this mosque showcases Chinese design and architecture and looks more like a Buddhist temple.
It is definitely worth a visit.
4. Visit historical buildings
With history spanning more than 600 years, Melaka is the best place to learn about Malaysia’s history.
After all, the Malay Sultanate was founded in this very city, enabling European powers to come here in search of spices. Unfortunately, these very powers later invaded Melaka.
Many historical buildings here have been converted into museums. You can walk around Dutch Square to try and get a feel of how it might have been here all those hundreds of years ago and spend some time at the Queen Victoria Fountain, built by the British in 1901.
5. Ride the trishaw (beca)
There is an abundance of beca or trishaws all over Melaka – in fact, it’s impossible not to spot one especially since they are heavily decorated and colourful.
They were used as a mean of transportation back in the day but today, they are maintained mostly as tourist attractions.
For RM25 (as at December 2020), the trishaw will make its rounds to the historical sites in Melaka, passing through the A’ Famosa, Dutch Square as well as the Taming Sari Tower.
The best time to take a trishaw ride is at night when the colourful LEDs are turned on.
Be prepared however, to put up with the blaring music from the loudspeakers installed on the trishaws. It would be better if they played traditional music instead of dangdut and techno that have little significance to the historical ride.
6. Enjoy a bowl of cendol
Cendol is a shaved ice dessert served with coconut milk and palm sugar. It’s the perfect thirst-quencher especially for those with a sweet tooth.
There are many cendol stalls in Melaka, but Cendol Jam Besar, located near the clock tower on the Dutch Square is a good spot to enjoy this local dessert.
7. Drop into Calanthe Art Cafe
This cafe is located near Jonker Street and is the ideal spot for coffee lovers and Nyonya food lovers.
The cafe serves 13 types of coffee famous in each state, each with a distinct taste according to how locals drink it.
This restaurant also serves the best laksa in Melaka. Their Nyonya laksa is listed as one of the Top 50 to try in Melaka. They also sell souvenirs as well as the laksa paste for those who want to make it at home.
Calanthe Art Cafe
11, Jalan Hang Kasturi
75250 Melaka
Khai and wife Amira are Malaysian travel bloggers who blog at Kaki Jalans. Their travels have taken them to almost all the countries in Asean and five countries in Europe. They are still actively travelling and adding to this list.