Little Food Adventure At Jonker Street
January 22nd, 2007, Jason
Ivan and Calvin were in Malacca during the weekends. We went to Jonker Street and Tien Soon and his girl friend joined us later. We went to Jonker Street (Hence, the news and this post), Capitol Satay Celup and of course, Nadeje Patisserie. It was a fun outing with them!
Anyway, I was requested to write a story on Jonker Street for the papers. Since I was there and another photographer (Tien Soon) to help me out, our walk along Jonker Street also became my assignment. Now that I am done with my article, I am just plain lazy to rewrite the article to fit it into my blog. Hence, for the first time, I will be publishing a YET-TO-BE-EDITED news article.
Comments are welcome, but don’t crush my confidence, OK? -blek-
Tourists and locals will definitely not want to miss having a walk along Jonker Street, formerly known as Jalan Hang Jebat, which is famous for its distinct Chinese’s culture that forms the true essence of Jonker Street. Apart from its night market liked street, one can definitely savour many authentic local foods at Jonker Street as well.
One shall start his food journey from the stage, which is the main entrance for Jonker Street. Every now and then, there will be performances, dances or events held at the stage. Right behind the stage is the Taiwan’s fruit candy stick. Choon Mee Fah, 60 will cut various fruits into small pieces and pierce(?) them into a stick, before dipping it into winter melon flavoured sugar water. Sweet and juicy, an awesome finger food for you to munch on as you walks down Jonker Street.
Next to it is the famous Hong Kong’s curry fish balls. Aromatic and spicy curry to go with sweet and fresh homemade fish balls, prepared by Low Chee Kok, 28. If you are not into spicy food, then opt for glutinous rice with finely crushed peanuts, called “Mua Chi” (RM1.50 per serving). Bok Lik Chek, 74, has been selling Mua Chi” for the past 6 years, since the start of Jonker Street.
You will hear people shouting “four for RM1.50″ as you walk ahead. Hee Song Nooi, 44, would hand you a long toothpick for you to select four of your favourite “dim sums”. Steamed minced pork in delicate skin, piping hot from the steaming stove; it is definitely worth the RM1.50, as you cannot get similar price and offer at anywhere else but Jonker Street.
Who can forget the famous Nyonya’s pineapple tarts? Buy freshly made and right from the oven pineapple tarts from Goh Kiat Ka, 45, who has been selling tarts for more than seven years. Hakka dish, yam coins (RM2 per serving) is next on the menu. Ho Siew Eng, 36 will cook them for you when you place your order. Mashed yams, molded into mouth bite size and cooked with black fungus, minced pork, mushrooms, oyster sauce, soy sauce and garnished with spring onions is definitely mouth watering.
If you want to have a decent dinner meal, head to Jonker Dessert, the museum cafe. With a huge variety of Nyonya food like Nyonya Asam Laksa, Baba Laksa, Nyonya Rendang, dumplings and many more, you will definitely leave the shop with a filling stomach and a satisfied customer. Do not forget to try their signature chendol that comes with superbly thick, sweet and authentic gula melaka, regarded as one of the best stalls in Malacca to have your thirst of chendol quenched.
Geographer Café is the best place to have your daily dose of beers as you chill with your friends. With live bands performing and people strolling along Jonker Street, the atmosphere is simply marvelous. You can also order fried radish cake from Ng Yeow Beng, 34, whose stall is just right outside Geographer Café. Chunky radish cake, stir-fried with garlic, onion and eggs to go along with that glass of chilled beer.
If beer is not your stuff or you are with your families, pop over to Limau Café that serves a huge variety of beverages, such as coffees, teas, milk shakes, ice blended, lassi, fruit juices and many more. They also serve food like sandwiches, pastas, spaghettis and toast breads for you to fill your stomach.
Choo Tian Chai, 61, will be busy preparing spring rolls, also known as pohpiahs for customers, not too far from Limau Café. His pohpiah is simply delicious as he has been cooking and preparing them for more than 10 years. It’s a hit among the locals and also the tourists.
As you venture further, you will definitely get attracted to the aromatic BBQ squid. Eng Boon Ang, 55, has been in the business for the past seven years, definitely knows what it takes to burn a crunchy and aromatic BBQ squid. If you cannot stand the smell of the burnt squids, get a piece of Apom Balik from Chia Kim Fong, 46. You can opt for peanuts, sweet corns or a mixture of both, with a starting price of RM0.60. The natural sweetness of corns, the aroma of finely crushed peanuts or the best of both world will definitely make you want another piece before you can finish the one in your hands.
Among all Chinese traders in Jonker Street, you will definitely not miss out the South Indian food stall that sells vadai, masala vadai and other South Indian finger foods. Muniandy, 53 and Saraswati, 45 are very considerate as they prepare them in vegetarian style, and it does not come with a single bit of garlic.
After all the food, a glass of herbal tea from Tok Yoke Leong, 63 will quench your thirst and “cool” your body down after all the heaty foods. Tok also prepares a pot of herbal eggs, which she prepares during late afternoon and boils them for few hours so that the essences and tastes of the tea leaves, herbs and spices will seep into the eggs.
You should have reach the end of Jonker Street by now, turn around and you will be walking back to the point where you started your little food adventure along Jonker Street. Of course, there are many more foods like fried ice cream, Taiwan’s hotdog, traditional Nyonya kuih-muih, chicken rice balls, pancakes, fruits, sugar cane water, sushi and many more.
Ends.
P/S : Pictures’ credits go to Tien Soon, Ivan and Calvin. All pictures are taken with Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ30.
