When it comes to visiting the historical city of Malacca (Melaka), one of their must-try local dishes would be the Peranakan Nyonya dishes. And with plenty of them available, here are the recommended Top 10 Nyonya Restaurants in Malacca to check out the next time you drop by!
1) Nyonya Licious Kitchen Melaka
Beyond its cosy and somewhat ordinary-looking interior lies a restaurant that knows plenty about serving good Nyonya dishes. More specifically, delicious homecooked-style Nyonya food using traditional recipes. Nyonya Licious Kitchen Melaka prefers to keep things simple, offering familiar Nyonya favourites like Nyonya Laksa (one of their restaurant’s signature dishes), Nyonya Gerang Asam (Asam Pedas) and Ayam Pongteh. Also, don’t forget to end your meal with a sweet finish of their bestselling Nyonya Cendol.
FB: nyonyaliciouskitchenmelaka | IG: @nyonyaliciouskitchen
2) Donald and Lily Restaurant
Husband-and-wife team Donald Tan and Lily Lee is no stranger to serving home-style Peranakan dishes since the 80s. Using only fresh ingredients, expect robust-flavoured food like Nyonya Laksa, Nasi Ayam Pongteh (spelt “Pongtay” in their menu) and Udang Lemak Nanas. If you are up for something special, Donald and Lily’s Premium Super Huat Laksa really lives up to its name. Think of it as an extravagant version of Nyonya Laksa, complete with large prawns and few hardboiled eggs. Otherwise, do look out for their daily specials too!
FB: donaldandlily | IG: @mydonaldandlily
3) Manis J Nyonya Restaurant
Family-owned Manis J Nyonya Restaurant prides itself in preserving the authenticity of traditional Peranakan Nyonya cuisine. And that’s what they are good at, with family recipes used in familiar entrées such as Ayam Buah Keluak, Ikan Cili Garam, Sambal Petai Udang and Itik Tim. For desserts, they have good old cendol and sago pudding — both of which are perfectly sweetened with Gula Melaka syrup.
FB: manisjnyonya
4) Aunty Lee’s Nyonya Restaurant
Open since 1997, Aunty Lee retains her tradition when it comes to serving Peranakan Nyonya cuisine. Tradition includes preparing food the good old-fashioned way such as using the pestle and mortar to pound chillies for sambal belacan. Some of the must-order dishes include Chilli Garam Fish (her house speciality), Asam Pedas and Ayam Buah Keluak. For dessert, go for her signature cendol that uses only fresh coconut milk drizzled with Gula Melaka syrup.
auntylee.com.my | FB: Aunty Lee’s Nyonya Restaurant
5) Amy Heritage Nyonya Cuisine
Authentic recipes, fresh ingredients and full-bodied flavours — this is what Amy Heritage Nyonya Cuisine does best! Their scrumptious array of Nyonya dishes such as Ayam Pongteh, Ikan Cili Garam and Udang Goreng Asam are some of the must-order dishes here. Don’t forget their dessert too, particularly the coconut milk-enriched cendol with a generous amount of Gula Melaka.
6) Nancy’s Kitchen
Family-run Nancy’s Kitchen needs no introduction, given its popularity as among the go-to restaurants for authentic Nyonya dishes. Founder and chef Nancy combines fresh ingredients and family recipes to bring out the best in every dish. Some of her bestsellers include Bak Wan Bebola (fried pork balls), Ayam Buah Keras (chicken candlenut) and Ikan Cencaru Sumbat Sambal (fried torpedo scad stuffed with sambal). Here’s a friendly reminder, though: if you are planning to visit Nancy’s Kitchen, it’s best to make a reservation beforehand to avoid disappointment.
eatatnancyskit.com | FB: nancyskitchenmelaka | IG: @nancyskit
7) Restoran Baba Ang
Operated by a husband-and-wife team, Restoran Baba Ang specialises in home-cooked Peranakan dishes and other local food. For the latter, you can find familiar varieties like Chicken Kurma and Ayam Masak Merah (spicy tomato chicken). But it is their former cuisine that matters the most, offering flavourful meals such as Ayam Pongteh, Ayam Buah Keluak and Ikan Cili Garam. Their simple, no-frills environment is just as attractive with a homey interior.
FB: restoranbabaang | IG: @restoranbabaang
8) Restoran Nyonya Makko
For over 35 years, Restoran Nyonya Makko has been specialising in their authentic Peranakan cuisine. Here, you can expect robust and savoury favourites like Ayam Pongteh, Udang Masak Lemak Nanas (Pineapple Prawn Curry) and Nyonya Chap Chye (Nyonya Mixed Vegetables). You can locate their restaurant at Jalan Merdeka in Taman Melaka Raya.
FB: Nyonya Makko
9) Restaurant Ole Sayang Nyonya Food
Here’s some interesting trivia about this eatery, which has been around since 1983. Apparently, Restoran Ole Sayang Nyonya Food happens to be the first restaurant of its kind in Melaka that serves authentic Nyonya cuisines. And as expected, their dishes are prepared and cooked according to the traditional family recipes. Their menu consists of everything from chicken (e.g. Ayam Buah Keluak, Ayam Pongteh) to seafood (e.g. Udang Masak Lemak Nanas, Ikan Goreng Cili Garam) and vegetables (e.g. Nyonya Chap Chye, Kangkung Goreng Cili). They also serve value-for-money set menus, offering mostly white rice with a selected main dish and mixed vegetable averaging at RM 10+ onwards.
olesayang.com | IG: @olesayang
10) Nyonya Delight
Serving home-style Nyonya food under a basic-looking stall attached to the corner of a wooden house, Nyonya Delight is particularly known for their flavourful Nyonya Laksa. Some of the other dishes you can find at Nyonya Delight include nasi lemak, lontong, mee siam, ayam rendang and cendol. Do keep an eye on their social media pages for daily specials such as Sambal Udang Belimbing and Ikan Cencaru Goreng.
FB: nyonyadelight | IG: @nyonyadelight
That’s not all! More Top 10s in Malaysia are waiting to be discovered, and you can also check out more business recommendations at Carilocal.com!
The compilation of this list was made from accumulation of Public Votes at TallyPress.com.
