Malacca Day 2 - Dim Sum, Baba Charlie

Free and Easy Malacca - Day 2 Itinerary

1) Dim Sum at Ban Hong Xiang Tea House
2) Baba Charlie for Nonya Kuehs and snack
3) Sightseeing - Heritage Trial
4) Dessert at Nadeje
5) Dinner at Auntie Lee
6) Cockles at dirty lane
7) Supper at Pak Putra

Ban Hong Xiang Tea House（万鸿香茶楼） 
We were introduced to this dim sum place by a local. Nice and cheap dim sum at coffee shop setting.  Most of the patrons are locals, but we do note a number of tourists as well.

Ban Hong Xiang Tea House

This restaurant is away from the heritage town, refer to the map and GPS coordinate below.  You can also try to locate Hotel Selectstar as this tea house is just besides it.

The restaurant is very crowded on weekends, even with 2 shop lots just for dining tables, its difficult to get a seat.  Go early in the morning to get a table and to ensure you get to taste a variety of dim sum.

Delicious dim sum ranging from only RM1.5 to RM3, no wonder for the crowd here.

Big Pau - really BIG bun with generous portion of minced meat and egg as fillings (3.75/5)
Herbal Steamed Chicken - tender chicken with slight herbal taste. quite nice! (4/5)
Chicken Feet - this chicken feet were steamed with some herbs, quite nice and not too soggy. (3.75/5)
Yong Tau Fu - generous fillings in beancurd.

Big Pau (3.75/5)
Herbal Steam Chicken (4/5)
Chicken Feet (3.75/5)
Yong Tau Fu

We tried a number of other dim sum as well, which were quite ok.
- Steamed dumplings with different skin and chilli. Fried beancurd & dumpling.
- Beancurd roll with sauce - would prefer to have it without the sauce.

Dumplings, Beancurd roll with sauce, fried beancurd & dumpling

Their Chee Cheong Fun was typical of what you will find in Malaysia.  Not too much of fillings but simple nice rice rolls with nice chilli and sauce and lots of shallots and onions.   (4/5)
We also ordered some carbohydrates - porridge and glutinous rice for those with a bigger appetite.  Cannot really remember how they taste as I was quite full and didn't eat much of those. But will definitely prefer the glutinous rice from 桂苑Gui Yuan Restaurant, Johor.

Chee Cheong Fun, Porridge, Glutinous Rice, Fried Dough

There fried carrot cake and oyster pancake was quite nice too, especially for that price (4/5). Although the oysters were super small, the omelette was nicely fried.  Quite yummy!

Fried Carrot Cake, Fried Oyster omelette
Rating: 4/5

Ban Hong Xiang Tea House @Jalan Gajah Berang
No. D, Jalan Bachang, 75300 Melaka
Contact: 06-2814212
GPS: N2.208833, E102.242667


Baba Charlie for Nonya Kuehs and snack
Baba Charlie, a famous destination among tourists for Nonya kueh.  It is actually located in a housing estate, a semi-detached house at the end of a small lane.

The lane into the Baba Charlie was quite narrow and we were unsure of the turn initially. But with those big tour buses along the main road, you will know that Baba Charlie is just round the corner.  For parking, you can either park at a small empty plot of land before Baba Charlie or go all the way to the end of the land and turn right where there are some open space for parking.

Baba Charlie

There is a room dedicated for sales where a large variety of kuehs and snack are stocked up and nicely arranged for customers to choose. Just get a basket, use the tongs provided to pick the kuehs that you fancy and place it into the plastic bags provided.

Kuehs and Snacks

They have a variety of snacks and freshly made nonya kuehs. Otak, Lepat Kacang, Yam Cake, Ondeh-ondeh, colourful kuehs.

Yam Cake, Ondeh-Ondeh, colourful kuehs 

The preparation and making of the kuehs are done at a "open" kitchen. Quite interesting to see how the workers are busy wrapping kuehs, frying curry puff, boiling the ondeh-ondeh and coating with grated coconut while we are queuing to pay.

Taipai Pulut, Ondeh-ondeh

Frying Curry Puff

The owner Charlie was quite friendly to pose for a photo.

Owner Charlie

We were already quite full after the heavy Dim Sum for breakfast, thus decided to just have the Nonya kuehs from Baba Charlie as lunch.

Pulut Inti

Pulut inti is steamed  glutinous rice topped with grated coconut.

Lovely  nice blue colour on the skin of the kueh.  The colour is extracted from Bunga Telang (Blue Pea Flower.

Ondeh-Ondeh

The ever popular ondeh-ondeh, small ball of kueh with rich melted gula melaka, yummy!

Not sure what is the name of this kueh, texture was more like agar agar, something different from the heavy glutinous keuh.

(clockwise) Rempah Udang, Kuih Kochi Hitam,
Otak, Yam Cake and Lepat Kacang

More and more kuehs.  There was no more surprise after we saw the same blue colour in the third, fourth and fifth kueh.  Sweet coconut, sweet gula melaka, oily glutinous rice ... it gets a bit jelat for us.  The savoury yam cake managed to give my taste buds a break from the sweet indulgence, think I still prefer savoury than sweet stuffs.

Baba Charlie House
72, Jalan Tengkera Pantai 2 75200 Melaka
019-666 2907
(GPS 2.202999,102.231485)
Daily except Thursday
http://nyonyacake.blogspot.sg/

Pasar Malam
Mon : Bukit Beruang/Tanjung
Tue : KG. Lapan/Ujong Pasir
Wed : Bukit Beruang
Thu : Off
Friday : Malim Jaya
Sat : Kota Laksamana
Sunday : Air Keroh/ Batu Berendam

Malacca Trail Map

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Malacca Day 1c - Dinner and Hotel

Free and Easy Malacca - Day 1 Itinerary

1) Drive up to Malacca/Tangkat through Tuas (~3hr)
2) Breakfast at Tangkat - Jia Jia Ba Ku Teh
3) Lunch at Family Heritage Cafe
4) Shopping and R&R
  - Dessert at Pahlawan Melaka Megamall
5) Dinner at Melaka Plaza
  - Pork Porridge
  - Wok & Pan
6) Menara Taming Sari
7) Massage


Dinner at Melaka Plaza, which is just next to Mahkota Parade shopping mall.

Pork Porridge @Restoran Bunga Raya Porridge, Mahkota Plaza  
GPS: 2.189833, 102.247000
It was Saturday night with heavy traffic jams, our eating kakis decided to go somewhere nearby for dinner.  We decided to head to Bunga Raya for Pork Porridge which is supposed to have operated for a few generations.

Bunga Raya Porridge

It was actually an old coffee shop along some dark street Jalan pm 3, besides the pasar malam. The store only offer a few staple food items - Porridge, Mee Hoon Kueh and different Mee or noodle soup. We ordered pork porridge, which is their main speciality. 

Menu

There was only one cook in the kitchen, it took really long before our food was served.  With all the hype about the shop being around for few generations and the long long wait, our expectation was naturally raised.  Sadly, it was quite a disappointment.  The congee wasn't really  smooth as what we expect, the century egg seems to have an additional smell which we are not used to and their pork slice wasn't that tender. 

The saving grace was their minced meat balls, it was fragrant and flavourful.  Not sure if it was the sole fish or fried shallots that make it tasty and stand out from the rest.

Pork Porridge with Century Egg

Initially we were thinking of having something light for dinner to clear our digestive system after all those heavy meals.  However, we refused to end our first day in Melaka with disappointment and thus we walked across the street to jalan pm4 in search for another round of dinner. 

Western Food @ Wok & Pan (East Meet West Cuisine)
Wok & Pan is just one street next to Bunga Raya Porridge and opposite to Nadaje cafe (main store), selling the famous mille crepe.

Wok & Pan Restaurant

Was wondering what was this cool cafe opposite of Wok & Pan while we were waiting for our food. Realised that it was the main branch of the famous Nadeje cafe. Nice place to enjoy dessert.

Nadeje Cafe opposite of Wok & Pan

Being a busy Saturday night, the wait is not just for the food, but you have to wait for the seats, wait to order, wait for our drinks, wait for the cutlery, wait for the bill, wait for the change ... what a long waiting night!

The mushroom soup (RM3.50) was quite creamy and smooth, it would have been better if there are more mushroom taste to it. Maybe those who doesn't like their mushroom soup too "mushroomy" will love it. To drink it while its hot, we drank directly from the bowl since it takes forever for the cutlery to be made available to us. 

Mushroom Soup
Rating: 4/5

Chicken chop with secret Hainanese Sauce (RM9.50), the word "secret" raised our expectations. It had to be as good as the chicken chop offered in restaurant Hua Mui in Johor, if not better. 
The chicken chop was nicely fried and very crisp with the batter coating. Ironically, the disappointing part happened to be the secret Hainanese sauce, its too sourly and sharp and the HP sauce is too overpowering.
Without the secret Hainanese sauce, the chicken chop is quite a nice item, just that it will be a bit dry.

Chicken Chop with Secret Hainanese Sauce
Rating: 4/5

Mexican Pork Chop @ RM12.50.  Now we come to one dish that really worth the wait. This Mexican pork chop was well marinated, nicely grilled and topped with the Mexican sauce which really give it a unique taste. The Mexican sauce contains diced cucumber, tomatoes, peppers, onions, chilli and vinegar which really complement the slightly charred pork chop. Yummy !!

Mexican Pork Chop
Rating: 4.5/5

BBQ Pork Chop (RM10.50).  Couldn't really recall how this pork chop taste like, guessed it didn't really stand out with the Mexican Pork Chop.  Only recalled our food kakis commenting that the pork chops are too thin. The potato wedges were quite nice.

BBQ Pork Chop

There was a choice of frozen or fresh local fish, we ordered the fresh fish fillet which cost RM21.00. Almond Nut Fish Fillet served with Jacket Potato and Salad, liked how the fragrant roasted almond taste enhanced the fresh fish fillet.  This dish also offered various texture - crunchy almond, crispy fried batter and soft fish fillet. Quite nice. 

Almond Nut Fish Fillet
Rating 4/5

We missed out the popular dish - Grilled Herbs & Honey Pork Rib @RM28.00. Happened to saw multiple big slabs of pork ribs at the back of their kitchen. Although the cleanliness of back kitchen is dubious but the pork ribs still look appetizing to me :)

After we finished all the food, our beverages were still not served. We simply cancelled the order and pay for our meal.

Wok & Pan
Address : No. 22 G, Jalan PM 4, Plaza Mahkota, Melaka
Contact  : 017 673 8896 / info@wokandpan.com
Business Hour : 12pm to 3pm, 6pm to 10pm (Closed on Monday)


Night Market 
There was a night market at Mahkota Plaza when we were there on Saturday night. Besides the usual food items, clothes, bags they also have fishes and pets for sales.

Night Market at Plaza Mahkota

Menara Taming Sari
The Menara Taming Sari observatory tower is just next to Mahkota Plaza.  Menara Taming Sari offer a 360 degree revolving ride up to a height of 110 metres, providing a paranomic view of the heritage town from the cabin deck.
Daily 10am - 10pm. Adult / Child : Rm20 / Rm10

You can actually catch a good glimpse of the tower along the small lane that cut across the Jalan pm 3-5 streets.

Menara Taming Sari

Fenix Inn

We choose to stay in Fenix Inn, a budget inn with good location. Fenix is within walking distance from the shopping malls (Mahkota Parade and Pahlawan Malaka Megamall), central location to the heritage town. 

The room was small and basic. for a budget hotel, it was nice that they provide floor mat, electric kettle and individual air-con which you can control. There is no lift in the hotel, which may not be convenient for the elderly. There is no complimentary bottled water or tissue, only limited toilet paper were provided and it took the staff a really long time to replenish. 

Valet parking and free parking provided, however do note that it will take some time for them to get your car. 

Fenix Inn

Service was "inn" standard. There were no housekeeping provided during our stay. When we requested for housekeeping at the front desk, the staff reply was "you should have hang out the tag on your door to request for housekeeping". ...Ok, at least she agreed to send someone to tidy up the room before evening. 

However when we were back at night, room was still in its original state. We decided to just settle for a change of towels. The dear service staff came empty handed after a long wait to "inspect" first before another long wait for him to come back with clean towels. 

Massage @Topic Healthcare

There is also a healthcare centre just opposite Fenix Inn which you can relax and have a massage after a tired day.  


It seems that massage wasn't really that common in Melaka.  Unlike the usual touristy areas, it took us quite some time to find massage at shopping malls, which the standard was kind of disappointing.

Maybe massage wasn't really commonly accepted in this small Malay heritage town and it explain why the massage centre need to put such explicit sign that "No sex service is to be provided".

"No Sex Service" Sign at Massage Healthcare Centre

One hour body massage is around RM32~35 during non-peak (weekday or weekend before 7pm) while RM48.60 for weekend night.  Our Chinese massuers who seems to be from China were very skillful, much better than the massage in the shopping mall.

Topic Healthcare website http://www.topichealthcare.com

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