You can’t really say you’ve gone to Malacca unless you’ve pushed your way through a packed-like-sardines street that is Jonker Walk on a busy Saturday night. Located in the heart of Malacca, Jonker Walk is a row of Peranakan style heritage shophouses by day and bustling night market when the sun goes down. You can find everything here – from inventive street food to quirky children’s toys, each stall has its own character.
On a recent trip to Malacca, I visited this iconic market street and the crazy weekend crowd aside, one can truly say they will not go hungry here. In fact, I would suggest going to Jonker’s with an empty tummy so you can savour all the unique and well-loved street food it has to offer.
Here are 10 must-try street food at Jonker Walk:
1. BBQ Fresh Oyster
Who says you can’t turn these luxurious food item a street favourite? You can’t really miss this busy stall while browsing the hawker section of Jonker’s that sells fresh oysters and grilled oysters. From RM16 onwards, we like to think of it as upscale street food.
2. Curry Fishball
For those who are looking for a bit of heat, be sure to try this interesting dish where two Malaysian favourites come together. Made from fish paste that’s rolled into a bite sized ball, this humble ingredient is taken to the next level with a spicy curry bath. From RM3 onwards.
3. Deep Fried Ice-cream
The combination of a cool, creamy ice-cream encased in crispy, hot batter is truly a delectable treat. Choose from classic ice-cream flavours and Malaysian favourites like yam and sweet corn. The only negative is the waiting time but it’s well worth the wait! From RM3 onwards.
4. Flower Pot Ice-cream
Don’t be alarmed if you spot people eating something out of a mini flower pot! It actually is an extremely simple idea that’s made to look like molecular gastronomy. A generous scoop of Walls ice-cream in a tiny flower pot is given the ultimate garden treatment with a liberal sprinkling of chocolate biscuit crumbs to resemble earth, topped off with a sprig of parsley. From RM5 onwards.
5. Fried Carrot Cake
A Malaysian favourite, fried carrot cake is made from white radish and rice flour cut into tiny cubes. The cubes are fried together with eggs, chopped pickled turnip, diced garlic, Chinese fish sauce and crunchy bean sprouts. RM5 per plate.
6. 60’s Fruit Tea
Given that Jonker Walk can be stuffy and hot when it’s crowded, there’s nothing like a chilled bottle of iced tea to cool down. Try these colourful bottles of iced fruit teas with flavours such as Apple + Lemon, Apple + Guava and Apple + Passion. RM4 a bottle and RM10 for three.
7. Ice-cream Popiah
Malaysians love and know popiah (spring roll) as a savoury dish but ice-cream popiah? This stall really caught my eye while I was there and it’s pure genius to create a dessert version using crushed peanut candy and a generous scoop of ice-cream. Once it’s rolled up, be sure to eat it before the popiah skin gets soggy from the melting ice-cream.
8. Potato Tower
This easy-to-eat fried potato snack on a stick has been around for the last few years. A night market staple throughout Malaysia, this Korean snack that’s known as Twist Potato is simply a whole potato twisted on a stick and flavoured with your choice of chili powder, barbecue, black pepper, cheese or mayonnaise. From RM3 onwards.
9. Yogurt Ice-cream
Everyone knows that yogurt is good for you but the highlight of this egg-shaped ice-cream is definitely the variety of flavours such as lime, mint, dragon fruit, lychee and many more. At only RM3 a pop, this is one snack not to be missed.
10. Fried Squid
Finally, you can’t really have a list of street food without some sort of deep fried savoury snack. At RM10 per serving, it’s a pretty hefty price to pay by street food standards but if you’re a glass half full sort of person, console yourself with the fact that you’re getting a pretty large whole squid. Great for sharing!
What are some of your favourite street food in Malacca? We’d love to hear your thoughts!
