Eat. Shop. Repeat at Malacca

RabbitOnLotus
Nov 10, 2016
4 min read

For those who need a short getaway over the weekend without compromising your annual leave, Malacca could be one of your viable option where you can mindlessly eat. shop. repeat. Not only is it near Singapore, the travel duration only takes about 4 hours+ by coach.

Booking through WTS Travel was hassle free for my family 2D1N Malacca free and easy tour. The price normally starts at S$99 depending on the type of room you preferred and the package include; two-way coach transfer from Singapore-Malaysia-Singapore, one night accommodation at Hatten Hotel Melaka that comes with hotel buffet breakfast.

After clearing Malaysia custom, the coach will stop by Yong Peng for a short toilet break and snacks. I would highly recommend anyone to grab a warm and juicy chicken bao during this time.

Chicken bao selling at RM2.45=SGD0.82 each

From Yong Peng to Hatten Hotel Melaka takes another 1 hour 45 mins, upon reaching the hotel, you can drop off your luggage at the concierge counter and grab your lunch because the hotel check-in time is at 3pm.

We decided to grab something light from Tim Ho Wan while waiting and the restaurant is just situated next to the Hotel’s entrance.

Congee with Lean Meat 2 bowls RM17.60=SGD5.87

Wasabi Prawn RM10.80=SGD3.60

Fish Maw with Prawn Paste RM10.80=SGD3.60

Veggie Dumpling RM10.80=SGD3.60

Glutinous Rice wrap in leaf RM12.80=SGD4.27

View from Hatten’s Deluxe Suite room

Queen Size Bed

The lounge sofa can act as an extra bed

Checked in done and the shopping begins…

The link bridge from the hotel will lead you to Dataran Pahlawan Melaka Megamall and you can find labels like Mango, Uniqlo, Esprit, Giordano and many more. During our visit, there was a sale going on and the queue was like crazy so we gave up buying even though the price was VERY tempting.

Opposite to Dataran Pahlawan Melaka Megamall is another shopping mall called Mahkota Parade where you can find eatery like Kenny Rogers, Subway, Tony Roma and others.

Deepavali sand sculpture

Christ Church Melaka

River along Jonker Street

Do note that Jonker Street (雞場街) night market only operates from Friday to Sunday; 6pm to 12am, however when we reached there at 5pm, the street stalls were already up.

I would advise not to rush in to San Shu Gong (三叔公) for your souvenir even though it is located right at the entrance of Jonker Street, because the night market’s road is narrow and you will have difficulty navigating in the crowd with lots of heavy plastic bags. The shop closed at 10pm, so just ensure you head out before that time and grab their local delicacy on your way back to the hotel.

Okay, pictures will speaks a thousand words, so below are the interesting find at Jonker Street:

Ghee Hiang sells very fragrant sesame oil

Antique chicken bowls

Martial “Gong Fu” (功夫) note book

Street food “Taiwan Burger”– Egg wrap with a variety of ingredients for RM3=SGD1

Funny wording pouch that sells 3 for RM10=SGD3.33

Alcoholic drink in medical bag

Cute bear chain

Colourful lightings

Melaka is famous with their chendol. Their gula melaka／brown sugar syrup is very thick, fragrant and sweet and it really enhanced the flavour of the chendol. One bowl of normal chendol cost RM6.60=SGD2.20. You can even buy their syrup and gula melaka from the shop and bring it home to drizzle at your own ice-cream or make your own dessert.

A close-up shot to show how very thick the gula melaka is

Satay fish balls

Colourful dim sum

Variety of Pastries

Sushi

You can buy the seafood from the road side stall and they will cook it for you.

Freshly baked tarts

Pineapple tarts

Ondeh Ondeh – 5 for RM2=SGD0.66

Pan fried dumpling

Fried carrot cake

Our dinner at Little Nonya restaurant; mixed veggie, sotong, fried egg, assam fish and 5 bowl of rice. Total cost RM70=SGD23.33.

After dinner, we headed back to San Shu Gong (三叔公) to grab their local delicacy. Below pictures shows the finds inside:

A big thumbs up for this ice milk tea

H&M opposite Jonker Street

Back to our hotel, we visited the rooftop bar-Alto Sky Lounge for a nice cold beer with nice view. We ordered one jar of beer which can serve 4 glasses and 1 orange juice, total cost around RM100=SG33.33.

View from the table

Day 2

After our buffet breakfast at the hotel, we still have plenty of time before the check out at 12pm and the tour bus only arrive at 3pm. So it is more shopping and eating again….

Hotel's Buffet Breakfast

Hotel’s pool (we regretted not bring our swimming attire)

Hotel’s gym

Wish Tag bridge near Estadia Hotel where you pay RM5=SGD1.66 for a tag and write your wishes and hang it on the bridge.

You can even buy a postcard and post it from here.

Teddy bear café @Estadia Hotel

We decided to head back to Jonker Street to try the infamous chicken rice ball from Famosa Chicken Rice Ball (古城鸡饭粒) which we didn’t get to try on day 1. One rice ball cost RM0.40 = SGD0.13. Personally, I feel that the chicken rice ball is overrated but you can still try it because the ball looks really cute don’t you think.

Kampung Chicken – meat was stiff though

Mamee store

Our last lunch was at Souper Tang at Dataran Pahlawan. The herbal soup was really nice. I will give it 2 thumbs up. 5 bowl of soup/rice/noodle cost RM97.95=SGD32.65, it is only SGD6.53 per pax, it so worth it.

Sesame Chicken Pot with rice and Gelatin Ba Zhen Nourishing Soup

Mee Suan with herbs & ginger wine

Chicken Remedying Soup

That’s the end of our trip, but we will definitely be back for more good food and shopping. Another thing to mention is that you don’t have to worry about doing any “homework” for this trip, because everywhere you go, there is good food. Just go along and try everything if your stomach allows it and gain a kg or two on your way home.

My Family