Hainanese Chicken Rice is a famous street food that you can find in any major city of Southeast Asia. In Malaysia, a place known for its incredible and unique food, Melaka is home to a highly recommended restaurant known as ‘Kedai Kopi Chung Wah’. They are famous for their amazing rice balls and local-style Hainanese chicken dish. This iconic food is worth traveling for.
Melaka’s popularity with tourists isn’t a recent phenomenon. Since the mid 15th century, people from Asia and even Europe have visited Melaka due to its unique geography. The Straights of Malacca attracted early explorers, and the food influence the Chinese introduced to the region has only elevated its attractiveness. And amongst the many delicious dishes they brought, Hainanese chicken rice is one of the most beloved.
The rice balls at Kedai Kopi Chung Wah are unlike any others. They’re uniquely firm and can maintain their shape so well that a server can roll them onto a plate. Though the rice is white, even the shade of white is different from the rice in other parts of the world. One would be forgiven to think it’s made with sticky rice instead.
The restaurant serves you fast and simple; how many people in your group determines the number of plates of rice balls, and you can opt for half or whole chickens. But don’t let the simplicity fool you; the perfect Hainanese chicken rice takes a considerable amount of prep time, and this family-owned restaurant knows that it’s the little things that count.
They start by dry frying garlic with salt in a large frying pan, setting a base layer of smoky flavor. This garlic then accents the chicken stock, which later cooks the rice for the balls and slow cooks the chickens. The chefs work hard to ensure that this traditional dish continues to live up to the reputation.
The chicken is freshly chopped, served steaming hot and flavored with garlic and smoke. It’s perfectly complemented by a tangy, slightly spicy dipping sauce that’s heavy on garlic. The sauce not only enriches the chicken meal but also embodies the essence of Malay flavors, lifting the dish from good to great.
The restaurant, resembling a café, is located right across the flower-filled bridge across Jonker street, most known for walking paths in Melaka. And despite being on a busy corner of a bustling street, it’s still worth a visit. Even if you have to wait in line, the unique and delicious meal of chicken rice balls at Kedai Kopi Chung Wah is totally worth it.
