Malacca Jonker Walk: Food and Photos
Jalan Hang Jebat, Jonker Street or Jonker Walk – whichever you prefer, is a main attraction of the city of Malacca.
No journey to Malacca is complete without dropping by Jonker Walk. It’s undeniable by many. Jonker Walk is all about local Malacca food, and souvenirs.
If you come to Malacca and not visit Jonker Walk, it’s a crime. A sinful crime in which the spirit of Parameswara will haunt you forever. Not forgetting the legendary merciless curse from Hang Jebat as well.
Okay, lame joke.
Anyway, I was in Malacca recently and unsurprisingly, yes, Jonker Walk was on the to-visit list. Therefore, I’m safe from the wrath of Parameswara and Hang Jebat.
Once at The Red Building (The Stadthuys) area, tourists walk across a bridge in order to reach Jonker Walk.
The river which the bridge was built over is the Malacca River, once an important trade route during the majestic Malacca Sultanate era.
Today, Jonker Walk is a busy road with businesses operating inside old buildings that exhibit Peranakan architecture.
Also known as Malacca’s traditional Chinatown, this place used to be a busy trading hub. Now, it’s still a similar “buy & sell” place, but more of an ultimate tourist destination, even for the local Malaysians.
For lunch, we had the so-called famous chicken rice balls at Nasi Ayam Hoe Kee.
Since the weather was hot, we were lucky to be seated in an air-conditioned section. But that didn’t stop us from ordering coconut drink to quench our thirst.
At RM4 each, I thought it was reasonable priced. Refreshing but the inner white flesh (also known as endosperm, eww?) was quite tough.
The main dishes consists of none other than chicken meat with cucumber, some mixed vegetable, couple of rice balls and…
Uhh… a plate of plain rice?
Isn’t it unusual see plain non-ball rice in a restaurant known for its chicken rice balls? Perhaps it was a public holiday and they couldn’t find the time to shape the rice.
Verdict – like ordinary chicken rice. Nothing special and unique with the rice balls. Better chicken else where. Plain vegetable.
I’m declaring that Chicken Rice Balls in Malacca is overrated.
After lunch, we continued exploring Jonker Walk. Stumbled upon shirt prints with “Play safe. Use Malaysian Rubber.”
Yeah, Malaysia Boleh!
Fresh dodol Melaka, with Durian and Coconut flavours. I wouldn’t trust the “fresh” word though, they could have been kept for several days right?
After a turtle-paced walk due to the crowd and cars, we finally reached the famous Jonker 88 outlet. So famous, the queue so long…
All of them craving for Jonker 88’s 2 signature dishes – Assam Laksa and Durian Cendol.
We reluctantly queued up and waited for about 30 minutes to finally order. Since we already had lunch, we only opted for dessert – Durian Cendol, obviously.
Prepared with ingredients such as cendol, red beans, shaved ice topped with gula melaka (palm sugar syrup) and some durian puree, it costs RM4 for a single bowl.
Tastes really delightful. If real durian flesh were used instead – the Durian Cendol could have been more durianlicious!
Just next to Jonker 88 is a mini park – Jonker Walk World Herigate Park. Sounds like a magnificent heritage museum inside, but I was disappointed to discover that it’s just a place where people take a break and rest.
Decorated with Chinese Zodiac sculptures and green plants, that’s all they have. Nothing so heritage about it. Oh yeah, a public toilet too. Go pee at the Heritage Park.
Next up, another durian-related food – the Durian Puff.
At RM1.50 per piece, I find it rather mundane.
Take a bite and the durian cream starts to ooze out from the puff. Looks good, but it doesn’t possess the sensational durian flavour.
After taking this photo, I threw it into my mouth. An unmemorable piece of Durian Puff, see you at the end of my tunnel.
Alright, a little too harsh. To be fair, it tasted just okay. Maybe I was expecting more, since… you know… it’s made with durian!
As you walk further, you see wide selections of local Malacca food – pineapple tarts, another cendol stall, assam laksa, more chicken rice balls outlets, lok lok stores and so much more. You’ve to be there to see and eat it for yourself.
With strong influences of the Chinese culture, huge variety of typical Chinese biscuits and pastries are on sale too.
Purchased a box of 10 pastries with 5 (I think) different types. Don’t ask me what is what, because I’m not even familiar with the names of Chinese Pastries – well, except Heong Peng.
Other than food, there are plenty of souvenirs too. From t-shirts to pants, cheap bra to kinky underwear, Angry Bird passport holders to Facebook slippers – whatever you want, you name it.
Classic imitations of G-Shock watches available. Does anyone still buy it?
Anyway, despite the featured Peranakan architecture on the structures along Jalan Hang Jebat, I think there is hardly any appreciation towards it nowadays.
The visitors’ main intention wouldn’t be to stand and admire the buildings. They come, they eat (food), they buy (souvenirs) and they leave.
And that pretty much concludes the day version of Jonker Walk.
Now comes the night version of Jonker Walk. Nothing much, just slightly different from the day time.
So on the same day, we had another quick trip Jonker Walk.
Despite being a top spot in Malacca, it’s after all just night market (or locally known as pasar malam) – with stalls selling the usual same old food and souvenirs.
I wonder – what makes Jonker Walk so famous? Overwhelming publicity should be the answer.
Nevertheless, here’s a night version photo of the Malacca river. Boats cruise along this river every now and then.
With the street lighted up and more stalls on the narrow road, it’s unmistakably more crowded when compared to the day.
With so many people hogging the entire road, you’ll probably need about 30 minutes to walk the approximately 500m long Jonker Walk.
Hmm… lazy to write already. This Jonker Street entry is getting too long. So here are random photos taken…
Some beauty products in well-desinged boxes on display. Cheap ones, surely cheaper than your Olay beauty set at home.
A typical night market stall, tables filled with everything and anything – all crammed together so closely.
More souvenirs like hair pins, fridge magnets and decorative accessories for the ladies. They’re ridiculously priced, but I assume that some can be bargained.
Another rubber-related stuff – this time, rubber slippers. Since it’s a night market, 100% doesn’t seem believable huh?
So yeah, that concludes this ultimate Malacca Jonker Walk entry. Like I’ve mentioned earlier, this place has lost its traditional and historical touch. The modern generation is here to conquer.
If you’re heading there to buy antiques, Jonker Walk is not a suitable place for that. But hey, buy this cool dinosaur wire sculpture instead…
Yes, I know it’s not a collectable antique – but this metal badass red-eyed dino is definitely way cooler than a 500 year old antique iron.
33 thoughts on “Malacca Jonker Walk: Food and Photos”-
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No picture of the Guiness record tart? Haha
Note to self; Forget about the chicken rice balls and durian puff :P but I will definitely give the durian cendol a try, might be heading there in Oct (:
Can get the durian cendol in Gardens too right? But Gardens selling more expensive cendol.
wow wow… malacca!!
Awww… I admire the food and peranakan BUILDINGs at Malacca! :P
About the rice balls, I have the same thought like u, however, I’ve been told that I went to the wrong one. :( Maybe 2nd trip gonna try the correct shop. :)
Hehe :) I did enjoy my laksa n cendol at jonker 88 without waiting so long, say 5 min like that! Hehe
Yup. Jonker street got lots to write. :)
Have a great weekend ken! :)
Wah… I wanna go too… never even been to Melaka
Because other than the Jonker Street there is nothing better we can do at night at Malacca >///<
there are better chicken rice balls there. that hoe kee is… disappointing.
and durian cendol, i find Jonker 88’s very sweet! it tasted okay to me until i tasted Lao Qian Ice Cafe’s. only thing that it costs more for a smaller portion >.<
nice! went there for a short day trip and it wasnt bad. ;)
SO, HOW MELAKA..? GREAT AARR.. PLEASE COME AGAIN MAA.. :)
its been a very long time since i went there! :(
The durian puff looks promosing though. Does the filling taste bitterly sweet?
haha.. melaka not worth go so often.. just go “look look” enough la.. hahaha
i always go jonker walk everytime i’m in Malacca :)
Interesting place indeed
Never have a real holiday at malacca….someday i will….how about cowboy town?
The queue at Jonker 88 so crazy!! Did you try coconut shake? u shud as i have not.. hahahaha…
air kelapa tu betul2 nampak segar dan sedap.
dinasour wire tu pulak memang super cool ;)
Did I read “100% real rubber (natural torn)”? er… weird! I thought the best durian ice kacang is by the road side and not in the shop? :3
If Iron Dino can transform into like Transformer style, I buy LOL!
Heong Peng is cool, but above picture I think can become siu pao already hahaha, got spring onion and black sesame what .
I miss the old time jonker street~ Not like pasar malam like now~ ><
The durian cendol looks delicious! But do they have cendol without the durian??? I don’t like durian!
Awww~ Malacca is one of the place which I wanted to go since ages ago! I envy you! I’ve always wanted to tried the Nyonya cuisine there…
If only Ipoh’s government hv such planning~~~
Coconut, RM4 each??? Omigawd!!! So expensive… And the condom tree looks like a coconut three – obviously the artist has never seen a rubber tree before. Perhaps you haven’t either, have you?
Durian puff not nice? I like the ones at those durian dessert places in KL. Nice!
Aiyor…everywhere so crowded. I think this old man cannot tahan – headache…
My gosh, durian puff again!! I must go there one day! xD
I love Jonker Street. I used to do a study on one of those shophouses whilst studying architecture. Though a lot has changed the last time I’ve visited it. Great post!
I think I must have walked 3 times back and forth in Jonker Street when I was there. There were just so many things to see. I’m glad I’m gonnna go there again soon to return for more.
Ahhh. My hometown. So where else did you go besides Jonker Walk in Mcca?
bro.. i love this place…
Nice pics u took. miss lot malacca since my last trip
Actually Melaka’s getting way too crowded on weekends, not to mention public holidays. I have never seen that crazy queues in front of Jonker 88, but the sheer publicity got them all aiming for the same stuff.
Will probably visit Melaka soon, yet I highly doubt that I can bear with the queues etc.
Hey, anyone knows if Jonker Walk (street) is open on which days? ANy good ikan bakar to recommend? or any chinese seafood (not restuarant kind) by the sea which is great and cheap? Thanks! I love malacca. =)
Love the jonker 88’s cendol. The durian puff was just bland