Peranakan culture - as you may know already - is the result of the (literal) marriage between Malay and Chinese cultures. You’ll see it in the architecture, clothing, and - most importantly - the food. Get a taste of Peranakan cuisine at these restaurants sorted according to budget (low to medium). Note: prices are accurate as of July 2020.
Jonker 88
Jonker 88 is a coffee shop that’s gotten tons of praise, one of which is being referred to as a “museum cafe”. This inexpensive coffee shop serves great food in a traditional atmosphere. The many paintings and clocks give Jonker 88 an authentic feel to go with your delectable bowl of laksa. Go for the laksa and the cendol, we recommend having the two in tandem.
Laksa prices start at RM7.
Our Kitchen Nyonya Restaurant
Our Kitchen is another family-run eatery that’s along Jonker Street. The rustic door panels give the place a cosy atmosphere that you would expect from a humble family business. The food? Being a restaurant, you’ll have more options to choose from than you’d find in a coffee shop like Jonker 88. From classic dishes like sambal petai to asam fish, you may find it hard to decide what to actually order. We’ve got your back! We recommend the asam pork and fish, the sambal petai, and the keluak chicken- they’re all common favourites.
A medium-sized plate of asam pork costs RM21.50.
Restoran Nyonya Makko
You’ll want to make reservations before coming to Nyonya Makko because it can get quite busy. Their home-cooked recipes draw a huge local crowd. What also makes Nyonya Makko stand out is the other Chinese dishes that they serve apart from the typical Peranakan fare. You’ll find sweet and sour chicken alongside the Peranakan curry dishes. Customers love the rendang and the sambal kangkung.
A medium-sized portion of pongteh chicken costs RM22.
Amy Heritage Nyonya Cuisine
For all our Muslim friends out there, you’ll be happy to know that this restaurant is halal-friendly. Amy - the friendly owner - manages the restaurant and oversees the cooking process so you know that love is put into the dishes. One blogger warmly recalls Amy coming out of the kitchen to inform them that they were missing ingredients for asam fish, recommending a prawn dish instead. The drinks are also shockingly affordable for a restaurant; a glass of iced lemon tea costs RM2! Popular picks include the keluak chicken and the kuih pai tee.
A medium-sized portion of chicken rendang costs RM23.
Kocik Kitchen
If you’re looking for a restaurant that looks like a Peranakan home, Kocik Kitchen needs to be in your list. The turquoise walls and the antique mirrors give the place a traditional vibe. It’s not halal-certified but they don’t serve alcohol and all the meats are from a halal source. Even vegetarians will feel welcome when they see vegetarian asam fish on their menu - they try to make everyone feel at home! The owners are also warm and friendly; their Facebook page is filled with jovial pictures of customers. Kocik is known for their otak-otak and their asam fish.
A medium-sized serving of chicken curry costs RM23.
Restoran Aunty Lee
By now you’ll notice that almost every restaurant is a humble family business, Aunty Lee is no exception. On their “about us” page, the owners warmly refer to themselves as “Uncle and Aunty Lee”, it’s too cute. Their signature dishes include the salted chili fish and the pineapple prawn curry.
A medium-sized plate of pongteh chicken costs RM24.
Seri Nyonya (Halal-certified)
Seri Nyonya takes ambience to the next level. The restaurant is located in a 5-star hotel so you know you’re paying for luxury. Everything about the restaurant is traditional; the wooden decor, Peranakan family portraits, and even the staff uniform! They’re best-known for their keluak chicken and their chicken rendang. And yes, it’s also one of the only halal-certified Peranakan restaurants in Malacca.
A medium-sized bowl of chicken rendang costs RM35.
The Mansion Restaurant
A disclaimer: this restaurant is not technically a Peranakan restaurant although they do serve Peranakan food. The menu actually leans towards Kristang cuisine. The Kristang are a creole ethnic group of Portuguese and Malay descent. Some of the Kristang dishes you’ll find at The Mansion include pineapple prawn curry and Portuguese beef curry. Of course, you’ll also find classic Peranakan dishes like pongteh chicken on the menu. Read a feature article of The Mansion here.
Pongteh chicken prices start at RM40.
