To be honest, i have always insisted that the peranakan cuisine (in general, excluding their desserts) isn't my cup of tea and i was all ready to have a different perception when i visited Melaka recently with the intention to check Restoran Nyonya Makko.
Unfortunately, the wait was too long and a coach scheduled to depart in less than 90 minutes, we decided to pop by another nyonya restaurant right opposite; Cottage Spices which commanded a respectable 4.0 rating by almost 200 google reviewers.
Fully-air-conditioned eatery with tiled walls, mosaic flooring and simple furniture; felt more like a family restaurant that belongs to the 1980s - 1990s.
With just two of us, we had to carefully decide what to have for lunch and it took almost 30 minutes for the kitchen to serve all the mains to our table!
Cendol - this was the only thing missing from the picture showing all the mains and i thought i might as well touch about this nyonya dessert first. Not bad tasting but could do with more gula melaka; in comparison, Christina Ee's version is better.
Fermented Shrimp Omelette - people usually like or dislike cincalok (fermented shrimp) and i guess i am those who are neutral since i typically enjoy stuff which are fermented even though when it comes to this particular nyonya omelette; it was a tad too salty for my liking.
Squids Fried with Stink Beans & Sambal - known as petai, the stink beans are an acquired taste which intensifies as you chew them further! Personally, i quite enjoyed the petai although the bigger highlight was the nicely cooked squid that's fried with the aromatic sambal chilli!
Stewed Chicken with Fermented Soya Bean - i always make it a point to compare what i had with things i have had before and this ayam pongteh felt like a less-sweet braised chicken with a gravy that's thicker and nicer to have with plain white rice. Which do i like better? Braised chicken.
Steamed Ladyfingers with Sambal - for something so plain and raw, i surprised myself by exclaiming they were unforgettably good when i popped one into my mouth! The ladyfingers still maintained that fresh crunch with a firm yet moist inside that complemented perfectly with the sour-spicy sambal chilli. Maybe i should try to emulate this healthy dish at home?
Before and after!
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Location
171, Taman Melaka Raya,
75000 Melaka, Malaysia
Map
As above.
GPS: 2.188866 N, 102.254333 E
Operating Hours
Lunch: 12pm to 4pm
Dinner: 6pm to 8.30pm
Closed on Tuesdays.
Website
Pricing
Cendol - RM 3.60
Fermented Shrimp Omelette - RM 11.40
Squids Fried with Stink Beans & Sambal - RM 30.00
Stewed Chicken with Fermented Soya Bean - RM 18.90
Steamed Ladyfingers with Sambal - RM 14.20
(Subject to 5% Service Charge)